If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. The Vikings finally reached the winner’s circle doing what the Twins could not do—beating Houston 31-23.It took them four tries to get their first win; but we all know it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.
Now 1-3 after one quarter of the season, can the Vikings continue to improve?
Trying to replace six starters from 2019 on defense has been the most glaring problem for the 2020 Vikings. They have been overwhelmed on that side of the ball so far, allowing 43, 28 and 31 points in losses to Green Bay, Indianapolis and Tennessee. Those three teams are a combined 10-1.
Sunday the Vikings beat the Houston Texans 31-23 on the road in what turned out to be the Desperation Bowl, two 2019 playoff teams starting 0-3 and going all out to avoid 0-4. For now, the Vikings have snapped out of it.
Last week was extremely challenging for the Vikings after being told by the NFL mid-week to stay away from their training facility because the team they played last Sunday, Tennessee, had as many as 15 players and staff test positive for the coronavirus. After 48 hours in isolation and a series of tests, the Vikings, after no positive test results, returned on Thursday and prepared for Sunday’s game.
Dalvin Cook continues to play great football after a career-best 181 yards vs. Tennessee. He ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over Houston. Cook leads the NFL with 424 yards rushing and six touchdowns,
Quarterback Kirk Cousins played his best game, throwing for 260 yards and a touchdown—and most important, no turnovers. Every team, all 32, is dealing with the same pandemic handicaps and restrictions—no OTA’s, mini camps, and a lot of Zoom conferences. Obviously with no fans it’s a challenge.
This week the Vikings travel to Seattle to play the 4-0 Seahawks and the brilliant Russell Wilson, right now the NFL’s MVP with 16 touchdown passes. With no fans at games, the Vikings at least don’t have to worry about the famous 12th man. Those aggressive fans really can make a difference.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer finally got career win number 60 Sunday in his fifth try. By virtue of having been a playoff team last year, the Vikings have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. They will play their fourth game against a 2019 playoff team this week.
Good luck.
Larry Fitzgerald is a longstanding contributing columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. He can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on “Almanac” (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.