EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 21: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets and Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings meet after the game at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 21: Darryl Roberts #27 of the New York Jets breaks up a pass intended for Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
The bad things from Week 7
Getting eaten alive. When in man defense, the Jets used some great rubs and play design to get their receivers open. Some of those designs were really tough to cover and would have tested any great defense.
3rd down conversions. In the first half, Minnesota didn’t convert a single third down into a first down. If not for that great opening drive, odds are that the Vikings may not have scored a single touchdown in the first two full quarters of play. They ended two-for-fifteen on the day, which is NOT good.
Silly penalties. Whether it is false starts, delay of game, or holding, giving away yardage is never a way to a team when you’re on the road is not good at all. Zimmer needs his team playing smart, disciplined football if they want the best opportunity to get a big win.
A non-factor. Calling Stefon Diggs a non-factor doesn’t seem fair until you realize he was targeted 14 times in the passing game and ran the ball twice…all for a total of 26 yards. That’s 16 plays his way averaging 1.6 yards per opportunity. That’s not what you want to see from a playmaker.
Injuries.Tom Compton was forced to leave the game in the first half followed by Anthony Barr and Xavier Rhodes in the second half. All these guys are key pieces to their respective units, but it’s good that the Vikings have depth available who can play at a high level in these instances, aside from Holton Hill who needs experience.
