Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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EAGAN, Minn. — Count Rick Spielman among those who are pleased at where the Vikings are at heading into the bye week, as Minnesota sits at 8-3 and in contention for both the NFC North and a playoff spot.
But the Vikings general manager also made it clear Tuesday in his bye week media session that the identity of the Vikings has seemingly flipped a switch in 2019.
“The one thing that is different this year is that we’re finding different ways to win games,” Spielman said. “It’s not just relying on one phase all the time. I know sometimes if the defense is having an off day, then we’re running the ball. Or if the running game is not there, then we’re able to make plays in the passing game.
“I think we haven’t played our best football yet, and I think we’re still evolving as a football team. But I know you always want to try to play your best football at the end of the season. Talking with [Head Coach Mike Zimmer], I think the bye week and break comes at a great time,” Spielman added. “It’s been a grind since training camp started through these 11 weeks, and we’re going to give our guys an opportunity to heal up. We have a very tough and challenging schedule ahead these next five weeks.”
In years past, the Vikings were known as a gritty, defensive-minded football team under Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer. The unit has been among the league’s best in recent seasons, finishing in the top 10 in points allowed per game each year since 2015.
Minnesota’s defense is again in the top 10 in points allowed [ranking fifth at 18.6], but the Vikings rank 15th in yards allowed per game at 338.6 this season.
On the flip side, the Vikings now boast their most productive offense since Zimmer arrived in 2014. Minnesota ranks eighth by scoring 26.3 points per game, and are ninth with 378.6 yards per game.
Spielman pointed to a recent two-game stretch that shows just how dangerous the Vikings offense can be.
“I believe we went into the Dallas game, and they were one of the top-five run defenses, and with the combination of how Dalvin [Cook] and [Alexander] Mattison played, I think those two combined for about 150 [rushing] yards,” Spielman said. “And I know Denver has an excellent defense that we played against. I think they were a top-five pass defense, and we were able to create some plays [in the passing game with Kirk Cousins throwing for 319 yards].”
“I think what you’re seeing, with the leadership of Coach Zimmer and this coaching staff, is the resiliency of this football team — the grit, the mental toughness — as we’ve been through these first 11 weeks. That’s the culture we’ve tried to build down there with the type of players we’ve brought in.”
Minnesota has five games remaining to determine its possible playoff seeding for January. It will be fascinating to watch how the Vikings identity — both as an offense and as a team — evolve over the final weeks of the season.
“This is what we envisioned, and especially Coach Zim’ envisioned, of what he wants the offense to look like,” Spielman said. “Being able to run the ball, the play action. But this week [against Denver], we were down and had to actually go to the shotgun and spread the ball around and make big plays in the passing game.
“I think that shows we have the ability to do that as well, even with our key pieces not out there,” Spielman added. “I think that’s the sign of a good football team — evolving — because every week is going to be different. Every challenge is going to be different.”
Here are five other topics Spielman discussed Wednesday: