USA Today via Reuters
Nov 29, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers linebacker Jeremy Chinn (21) at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 29, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers linebacker Jeremy Chinn (21) at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Zimmer has led the Minnesota Vikings to a poor record this year. After another loss, this time at the hands of the New Orleans Saints, the Minnesota Vikings sit at 6-9 and are 3rd in the NFC North. What’s more, they are no longer in the running for a playoff position in the NFL.
It is a poor end to a poor season, and clearly, Zimmer is unhappy. Mike Zimmer spoke to the press after the game against the Saints.
Unsurprisingly, Zimmer was not pleased with their performance, even going as far as calling his defense the worst he has had in years.
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USA Today via Reuters
Nov 29, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
He said, “This is a bad defense. Worst one I’ve ever had. You have to work pretty hard to give up 52. Couldn’t stop the run, couldn’t cover well, didn’t get any pressure on the quarterback, couldn’t tackle.
“We’re a little under-manned, but they should play better than that. I’m not trying to make excuses, it was embarrassing today,” he admitted.
Minnesota Vikings- Defensively weak
Zimmer’s comments do not come as a shock to anyone in the NFL. The Vikings could not be lifted by their talisman Lamar Jackson on the offensive end this season.
Last year’s unanimous NFL MVP could not do much to help overcome the problems caused by the weak defense of the Minnesota Vikings.
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USA Today via Reuters
Dec 6, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs with the ball in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) and linebacker Joe Schobert (47) at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings lost 4 games this season with a double-digit deficit. Many of their losses have been close, thanks to Lamar Jackson helping the offensive unit.
But the defensive unit has rarely been able to keep the opposition unit to lesser points than they can score. The fall for the Vikings is quite significant, given how much quality they have in their team.
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For the Vikings, they must now spend the rest of their off-season recuperating from this loss and trying to make acquisitions in the off-season that can improve their team.
Yet, the priority will be acquiring safeties and tight-ends that will provide a significant boost to their mediocre defensive unit. It remains to be seen how the Vikings come back in the 2021 regular NFL season.
