Vikings Look Terrible, Trail Cincinnati 28-7 at Half

Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) passes the game in the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports

There’s not much question who the better team is today in Cincinnati. The Bengals have looked like playoff contenders and the Vikings have looked like a team that’s playing out the string.

Which play best exemplified the Vikings’ first half effort? There were several nominees. Was it…

Chris Cook getting utterly pantsed by A.J. Green?

Adrian Peterson getting pushed aside like a fly by Vontaze Burfict on an attempted blitz pick-up?

Fred Evans getting called for encroachment twice in three plays and then being benched?

Mistral Raymond getting called for unsportsmanlike conduct?

Those were effort-concentration plays. If you want to go to the fluke play, there’s this off-the-helmet interception by the Bengals (probably should have been an interference call there but yawn).

It’s been that kind of day for Minnesota. Just a bad day all around. No luck. Lack of effort at times. Lack of execution all over the field. It would be comical except that none of it is particularly funny. Especially if you’re Leslie Frazier and you’re trying to convince the owner not to fire you.

We’ll see what the Vikes can dial up for the second half. Right now they’re just over-matched. It will take some breaks and some big plays for them to get back in this one.

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