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As a lifelong Vikings fan, I have a callous in my chest where my heart is supposed to be. Still, I am appreciative of a great season. 13-3 and advancing to the Conference Championship with a backup quarterback and our top running back out for the last 12 games was a remarkable achievement. SKOL Vikings! This one may take a little time to get over, but I'm excited for next season. Thanks for your great work all season too, Mike. -- John Bowers Temecula, CA
That is a totally understandable emotional response, John. I appreciate your sensibility in being able to acknowledge the frustration of a season ending prematurely but then also being able to put it in perspective as well as to understand that the future is bright for this Vikings team as we now turn the focus to 2018. The work is our pleasure at the Vikings Entertainment Network. Thank you for trusting us to create and deliver the content. Skol!
No matter what anyone says, Case Keenum played great for us this season. Our blocking should have been better for him to have a better chance. -- John McGuire Lone Pine, CA
Yes, Keenum played great this season. And I would say the pass protection was very good, too. The Vikings allowed only 27 sacks this season, which was tied for seventh-fewest, and they surrendered only one sack in the NFC title game against Philadelphia. Remember, pass protection is as much the responsibility of the quarterback and receivers as it is the offensive line. Quarterbacks must get rid of the ball in a timely manner and receivers need to get open.
Just when we thought we punched them in the mouth, we didn't. The pick six was bad, and then the fumble didn't help. Credit Philly for being ready. The Vikings were not tonight. Always next year right? Same old cliché. -- Kyle Alexander Texas
The 8:20 stretch from 3:25 to go in the 2nd quarter to 10:05 to go in the 3rd quarter basically determined the game. The Vikings were in the red zone trailing 14-7 with 3:25 to go in the first half when they lost a fumble. Philadelphia turned that turnover into a touchdown, added a field goal right before halftime and then scored another touchdown on their first possession of the second half. That 14-7 lead ballooned into a 31-7 lead and the game was in-hand for the Eagles from that point forward. Yes, the pick six was bad, but the knockout blow was touchdown on the first drive of the 3rd quarter.
Didn't see that one coming, Mike. That game was an aberration; a painful one! It will take a few days to get over the disappointment, but with our core players I believe we still have a large window to win a championship. On to next year! !Skol -- Jason France
I didn't see it coming, either. Losing in the NFC title game is hard enough, but losing in an uncharacteristic way makes it that much tougher. While I don't take winning seasons or time for granted in the NFL, I do agree with Jason that the Vikings window with this core group of players is wide open. There are many ascending players on the defense, such as Anthony Barr, Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks and Trae Waynes, plus guys such as Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith in their primes. I believe the Vikings will be back and ready to compete for the NFC crown and a Super Bowl next season.
To pinpoint one player that I personally really feel for it's B-Rob. He wears his heart on his sleeves and I truly hope he gets another shot at this thing with us next year. Time to figure out our QB situation and bring back Dalvin Cook! SKOL Mike! -- Jerry Provost
It doesn't happen much anymore where a player spends his entire career with one team, but that's what Robison has done. He was selected with a fourth-round pick in 2007 and just completed his 11th NFL season. You definitely have to feel for a guy like that after a playoff loss. I would say the same thing for guys like Joe Berger and Terence Newman, who may also be winding down. None of those three have declared their intentions for 2018, but all three are class individuals who represent the Vikings well in every way.
