The Minnesota Vikings were humiliated on Thursday in a road matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. What should have been a competitive game in Week 8 ended up as a slaughter where the offense couldn't move the ball and the defense struggled to make stops.
Looking back at the game, there isn't a lot to be optimistic about. Outside of a few solid performances, the team as a whole looked unprepared for this game and unwilling to make any adjustments needed to improve the situation.
It was an ugly performance for the Vikings. This game cemented their place in the basement of the NFC North for the time being. Since it is only Week 8, there is time for Minnesota to make some changes and correct the Viking ship for the rest of the season.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell shares who he blames for the Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers
However, if the Minnesota Vikings hope to redirect their season, it all starts with getting healthy and the team making some changes. That starts with the coaching staff identifying issues that are holding the team back and figuring out what adjustments need to be made.
This raises a big question about who or what head coach Kevin O'Connell blames for the embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His response when talking with the media wasn't surprising.
"Nothing much to say. We got outplayed. We got out-coached. There are no excuses. That is not, in any way, shape, or form, our standard.
It starts with me. I did not have our team prepared to play."
It's good that O'Connell is owning his role in the rough loss. However, those words aren't going to make the team more competitive in the coming weeks. Fans will need to hope that adjustments are made and the team can get healthy.
Some fans are already getting disinterested in the Vikings this season. A 3-4 record with the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks coming up on the schedule is not ideal when the team is attempting to find its identity this season.
There are plenty of things to question going forward. Play-calling is one major aspect of the Vikings' season that is under heavy scrutiny lately, since the offense is attempting to run plays that have a low success rate with the lack of protection and being so far behind.
All eyes should be on O'Connell and Minnesota since they have 10 days to prepare for the game against the Lions. What adjustments will be made, and how will they help as the team moves forward? Only time will tell.