Dec 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) rolls out of the pocket in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
Dec 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (44) is ruled down shy of the goal during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
The bad things
Struggling running the football. It’s not a good thing when the fullback gets thrown back so hard that he slams into the running back to bring him down. Why does it always seem like the Vikings opponents have all the power in the trenches when Minnesota is on offense?
Red zone execution. Sam Bradford himself said that the team needed more touchdowns and couldn’t settle for field goals. Instead of seeing big TDs, the fans were treated to numerous field goals when failing to move the ball into the end zone during the game.
Converting on 3rd downs. Minnesota went the entire first half without picking up a single first down on 3rd down or later. The second half was much better, but it was hard to watch this team struggle so much on plays where there is a definite line and one down to do it.
Running it on 4th and goal from the 1. As soon as it was revealed that the play was a run, fans everywhere knew it wasn’t getting in. In a close game that will likely be decided by a field goal, leaving points on the field in hopes that the team can do something they haven’t done all year is really quite silly.
Xavier Rhodes keeping his head in the game. Rhodes got frustrated early and that led to several penalties, including one unsportsmanlike call that put him in danger of ejection if it happened again. Normally, he’s a bright spot…but this was definitely an off week for the usually solid cornerback.