10 quick thoughts on the Vikings loss to the Ravens in Week 9

Even more quick thoughts from Minnesota’s loss to Baltimore

Vikings can’t hold a lead, again – Following Kene Nwangwu’s 98-yard kick return for a touchdown to open the third quarter, Minnesota had a 24-10 lead over the Ravens. However, Baltimore went on to score 21 straight points and take a seven-point lead near the end of the fourth quarter.

Blowing leads isn’t something new for Minnesota this season, but one would like to think they would figure out a way to prevent it from happening as many times as it has this year.

Conklin becoming a favorite target – Even though Kirk Cousins would be better off targeting Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen more often, it’s nice to see Tyler Conklin continue to emerge as a reliable tight end for the Vikings this season.

Against the Ravens, Conklin hauled in five passes for 45 yards on seven targets. Minnesota would love to have Irv Smith Jr. out there this year, but Conklin has done well to help decrease the impact of Smith not being able to play.

Mobile QBs and the Vikings are never a good mix – Throughout their history, Minnesota has struggled when it’s come to stopping opposing quarterbacks that can run the ball well (see Michael Vick, Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III)

This continued on Sunday when Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson rushed for 120 yards. Everyone knew the Vikings were going to have their hands full with Jackson this week and he proved them right.

Smith might be out next week too – As we mentioned earlier, Vikings safety Harrison Smith was placed on the team’s Reserve/COVID-19 list just prior to Sunday’s game.

Smith has been following the protocols of someone who appears to be unvaccinated this season. So if he is unvaccinated and his placement on the list is due to a positive test, then he will have to be away from the team for a minimum of 10 days.

If this is the case, then Smith will also not be on the field in Week 10 when the Vikings travel to take on the Los Angeles Chargers.