CFZ Vikings played to our strength

[Doomsday]

The Vikings did try to run the ball early on, however, they struggled to convert 3rd downs so it didn't matter.

Dallas gave up a few decent runs but they were also better on first down for the most part.

 

[reddyuta]

they should have kept running.i am sure they can get 10 yards everytime on 4 downs against our weak DTs and LBs if they kept at it.

 

[gimmesix]

The Vikings did try to run the ball early on, however, they struggled to convert 3rd downs so it didn't matter.

Dallas gave up a few decent runs but they were also better on first down for the most part.

They struggled to convert third downs because they chose to pass on third-and-2 and third-and-3. I guess it's a win that we were forcing third downs, but the Vikings didn't try to run in those situations, so it's hard to say we would have been successful stopping them when they were picking up more than that on each carry.

 

[CWR]

The biggest issue was we stopped them for minimal gains and on 3rd down they tried to pass too often. Once they felt they weren't going to have their way on the ground they were in trouble. Then we simply built a lead they felt pressured to keep up with.

 

[gimmesix]

The biggest issue was we stopped them for minimal gains and on 3rd down they tried to pass too often. Once they felt they weren't going to have their way on the ground they were in trouble. Then we simply built a lead they felt pressured to keep up with.

On the first drive, Cook ran for 4 yards, then ran for 3 and they tried to pass on third-and-3 (strip sack).

On the second drive, they started with a 2-yard run, then passed for 14 followed by a 22-yard run and penalty on us. Three straight passes got them another first down, then they ran for 8 and passed twice, resulting in the field goal.

On the next drive, they got to third-and-3 at their 47 on 5- and 2-yard runs, then tried to pass and got sacked.

In the first quarter, they tried 9 passes and had 9 runs. Perfect balance against a defense that has had trouble stopping the run but thrives against the pass.

 

[JBS]

The Vikings got smoked and it had absolutely nothing to do w playing to our strengths. Lame thread.

they lost by frickin 40. Give me a break on play calling being worth 50 points.

 

[CWR]

On the first drive, Cook ran for 4 yards, then ran for 3 and they tried to pass on third-and-3 (strip sack).

On the second drive, they started with a 2-yard run, then passed for 14 followed by a 22-yard run and penalty on us. Three straight passes got them another first down, then they ran for 8 and passed twice, resulting in the field goal.

On the next drive, they got to third-and-3 at their 47 on 5- and 2-yard runs, then tried to pass and got sacked.

In the first quarter, they tried 9 passes and had 9 runs. Perfect balance against a defense that has had trouble stopping the run but thrives against the pass.

More than anything, we got them to third down and then off the field.

The offense put a ton of pressure on Minny to keep up. We didn't punt for a long period of time and keeping our offense on the field had to make it difficult for theirs to find a rhythm.

 

[gimmesix]

The Vikings got smoked and it had absolutely nothing to do w playing to our strengths. Lame thread.

they lost by frickin 40. Give me a break on play calling being worth 50 points.

No one said play-calling was worth 50 points, Maynard. Lame response.

 

[Cebrin]

Minnesota was one of the better balanced football teams that we've face as far as passing and running games. However, I think the Vikings made a mistake not just trying to run us over. It wasn't like Cook was having trouble gaining rushing yards against us. However, instead of sticking with the run early, the Vikings would try to pass on second-and-long or third-and-longer than 2. They thought their passing game was good enough to match up with our pass rush, but it wasn't.















Green Bay showed the formula teams need to use to try to beat us. Hammer us with the run to draw one-on-one matchups in the secondary and go for a few big plays when you get those matchups. I think we'll see something closer to that from the Giants (but Daniel Jones is no Aaron Rodgers), and from other opponents as well. If they learn nothing from the Vikings game is that you don't abandon the run against us and even try to lean on it more than you normally would.















Of course, if our defense shows it can handle that, then look out.

I think the offense showed up for once, and Vikings were forced to not run the ball as much. I'm happy for the win, but I also want to see some consistency.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Minnesota was one of the better balanced football teams that we've face as far as passing and running games. However, I think the Vikings made a mistake not just trying to run us over. It wasn't like Cook was having trouble gaining rushing yards against us. However, instead of sticking with the run early, the Vikings would try to pass on second-and-long or third-and-longer than 2. They thought their passing game was good enough to match up with our pass rush, but it wasn't.

Green Bay showed the formula teams need to use to try to beat us. Hammer us with the run to draw one-on-one matchups in the secondary and go for a few big plays when you get those matchups. I think we'll see something closer to that from the Giants (but Daniel Jones is no Aaron Rodgers), and from other opponents as well. If they learn nothing from the Vikings game is that you don't abandon the run against us and even try to lean on it more than you normally would.

Of course, if our defense shows it can handle that, then look out.

Good post and accurate, but the key was the offence having such a good game. Green Bay could have kept running to their hearts content and would never have caught up if it wasn't for the turnovers.

Offense production and ball security will protect the defense from their weakness.

 

[Taggy12]

And still didn't stop the run. Cook was averaging 6.6 yards per carry, but was only handed the ball 11 times.

He did run 11 yard 2 or 3 time late 3rd and early 4th......

 

[Flamma]

I thought the same thing midway through the third quarter. No idea why they wouldn’t keep pounding the ball on us after seeing GB. Sometimes coaches outthink themselves.

Yeah, it seemed like they panicked once they were down. Then calling play action down 30-3. That was weird. It also looked like the Viking bailed midway through the 3rd. Did it look like they stopped trying to you? We were tackling runners in the backfield. That's not something the Dallas D usually does.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

While i agree they may have gotten away from the run too soon, we gotta at least give some credit to DQ and the defense for tightening their jock straps and stopping the run a lot better. DQ put them in a scheme to accomplish this, not like the horrific schemes he used in GB. And it helps when the offense didn't quit in the second half like they did last week.

 

[Verdict]

Cowboys made changes on defense after the Packers game...

I would like to see a thread on your comments on this.

 

[gimmesix]

While i agree they may have gotten away from the run too soon, we gotta at least give some credit to DQ and the defense for tightening their jock straps and stopping the run a lot better. DQ put them in a scheme to accomplish this, not like the horrific schemes he used in GB. And it helps when the offense didn't quit in the second half like they did last week.

They really didn't stop the run any better, though. Cook averaged 6.6 per carry. Jones averaged 5.8. The only difference is Jones carried the ball 24 times while Cook only had 11 carries. AJ Dillon, who added another 13 carries for Green Bay, averaged 5.0.

It's hard to extrapolate how much Cook would have rushed for with as many carries as Jones, but he was outpacing him before they pulled the plug. There's no doubt when Minnesota fell behind 30-3 that there was a greater urgency to pass, but they had 17 total rushes.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Minnesota was one of the better balanced football teams that we've face as far as passing and running games. However, I think the Vikings made a mistake not just trying to run us over. It wasn't like Cook was having trouble gaining rushing yards against us. However, instead of sticking with the run early, the Vikings would try to pass on second-and-long or third-and-longer than 2. They thought their passing game was good enough to match up with our pass rush, but it wasn't.

Green Bay showed the formula teams need to use to try to beat us. Hammer us with the run to draw one-on-one matchups in the secondary and go for a few big plays when you get those matchups. I think we'll see something closer to that from the Giants (but Daniel Jones is no Aaron Rodgers), and from other opponents as well. If they learn nothing from the Vikings game is that you don't abandon the run against us and even try to lean on it more than you normally would.

Of course, if our defense shows it can handle that, then look out.

Shhhhhhhh!

Yeah, but totally right. I thought so too during the game, and I'm sure we weren't alone among Cowboy fans.

I think teams *generally* abandon the run too early. Doing it against us is just moronic. Our strength is our pass rush. Our weakness is our run defense. It's a total no brainer.

 

[TwoDeep3]

If you go to NFL.com you can find the box score.

https://www.nfl.com/games/cowboys-at-vikings-2022-reg-11?active-tab=watch

There is a drop down for each possession and it details the plays and results. In the first drive of the Vikings - the one after the sack/strip - the Vikings ran for 46 yards on 5 carries. When they were in the red zone they chose to pass the ball, twice needing two yards on the Dallas 6.

The next series for them the Vikes ran three time and threw once and got sacked once. The runs were not as good in the previous series for them. They gains 11 yards on three carries.

Their third "drive" was two passes and one run. They gained three yards on the run and had to punt.

By the time they got to their fourth possession - not counting the sack/strip - they were down 20-3. They did not run the ball in this series.

Dallas kicked a monster field goal and the score was 23-3.

While I agree they did seem to abandoned the run, I think you have to look at the way the defense was playing and come away with the idea they were so behind so quickly, and with such ferocity, they were wondering if the game was slipping out of reach before the half was over. Not to say they did not have success their first and only real drive when they ran. But from them on, Dallas was wrecking their running game.

P.S. The Cowboys were scoring every time they got the ball. If the Vikes are down by 20 to 3, and want to trade scores, they will never catch up if they waste the clock by runs.

I think it is wrong to assume Dallas would have leaked a score every time the Vikes had the ball if they stuck with the run . They were too far behind with no positive outlook they could stop the Dallas offense. Dallas did not punt until 4:11 of the third quarter.

 

[Streifenkarl]

What this thread is correctly carving out is, that both units were complementing each other. Think about how long the offense was on the field in the first half. They just wouldn't leave. By commiting to the run game (which worked for us), they created long drives and then scored. Dak had a fantastic unobtrusive game and used his weapons well.

Then the defense found a way to force them into 3rd and short situations in which they decided it would be wise to pass. We didn't bite, and this thing was over.

So this is what I wanna see in every game, even when we're trailing. Don't get crazy, don't let (strong) opponents force us into a passing shoot out. Then we'll be fine.

Key win factors:

- long drives
- defense forcing 3rd downs
- Vikings out coaching themselves on these 3rds
- their o line folding like a lawn chair on pass plays
- Dak/Kellen making no mistakes and managing the offense well against a contender
-Pollard having a great day once again
-run blocking allowing Pollard to have a great day once again

 

[DandyDon52]

And still didn't stop the run. Cook was averaging 6.6 yards per carry, but was only handed the ball 11 times.

yeah vikings HC is a moron and that gameplan was so dumb i find it hard to believe.
'as I watched it I kinda felt like they were trying to lose the game.

 

[plymkr]

Minnesota was one of the better balanced football teams that we've face as far as passing and running games. However, I think the Vikings made a mistake not just trying to run us over. It wasn't like Cook was having trouble gaining rushing yards against us. However, instead of sticking with the run early, the Vikings would try to pass on second-and-long or third-and-longer than 2. They thought their passing game was good enough to match up with our pass rush, but it wasn't.

Green Bay showed the formula teams need to use to try to beat us. Hammer us with the run to draw one-on-one matchups in the secondary and go for a few big plays when you get those matchups. I think we'll see something closer to that from the Giants (but Daniel Jones is no Aaron Rodgers), and from other opponents as well. If they learn nothing from the Vikings game is that you don't abandon the run against us and even try to lean on it more than you normally would.

Of course, if our defense shows it can handle that, then look out.

That strip sack by Parsons set the tone and it seemed like they never recovered emotionally from that play. They seemed to play scared after that IMO. Very similar to the Rams game when the D got a strip sack for a TD. Debatable but that play seemed to derail the Rams season. Nice.