Kyler Murray era ends? (Vikings at Bears)

[FNG]

Don't think it happens much anymore, but an effective game manager can still win a SB, but the defense needs to be elite. Wentz didn't turn it over and that might be more important than anything.

Maybe. I'm just saying that it's embarrassing to watch THIS offense struggle this much with all of the talent it has available because it's getting wasted on some of the worst QB play in the league since they decided to let Darnold walk.

There is no world where Wentz can game manage this team (or any team) to a super bowl. We'll see about Murrary..... I'm not holding my breath

I'm not exactly convinced about this oline in terms of pass protection. They generally got it done run blocking so I'll take it. I'll also say that Dennis Allen is a very good DC and the Bears have some talent over there. It looked like it was raining all day so that's something to consider. If you are scared of Caleb Williams running all around (it's pretty amazing) then we should be wanting Kyler Murray to get healthy. Wentz did just enough in this game to win/not lose.

To me the first couple games of the season are sorta wildcards teams haven't gelled starters haven't played much etc etc. I don't care how ugly they are getting 2 wins to start the season I'll take it.

As for Harrison Smith I swear the defense looks better when he is out there I don't care how slow he isn't or isn't. On the other end of things Caleb Banks was a mixed bag but he made some plays and they definitely had him out there quite a few snaps. It's kinda impressive how they have been able to build that interior D line. Banks is sort of a luxury pick and if he does actually hit holy shit.

Monster- excellent point about the defense looking much better when Smith is out there. I went to the Packer game, and my buddies and I were frustrated that he was mostly only playing on certain passing downs, because the pass coverage was so much better when he was on the field. But he was almost doubled over at times on the sideline...clearly not close to game shape. So I think Flores was correct not playing him much last week. But it seemed to me he played more snaps this week, and the defensive backfield looked much more cohesive. We have some terrific athletes in our defensive backfield, but they look much better when Harry is out there directing traffic.

[Monster]

Maybe. I'm just saying that it's embarrassing to watch THIS offense struggle this much with all of the talent it has available because it's getting wasted on some of the worst QB play in the league since they decided to let Darnold walk.

There is no world where Wentz can game manage this team (or any team) to a super bowl. We'll see about Murrary..... I'm not holding my breath

I'm not exactly convinced about this oline in terms of pass protection. They generally got it done run blocking so I'll take it. I'll also say that Dennis Allen is a very good DC and the Bears have some talent over there. It looked like it was raining all day so that's something to consider. If you are scared of Caleb Williams running all around (it's pretty amazing) then we should be wanting Kyler Murray to get healthy. Wentz did just enough in this game to win/not lose.

To me the first couple games of the season are sorta wildcards teams haven't gelled starters haven't played much etc etc. I don't care how ugly they are getting 2 wins to start the season I'll take it.

As for Harrison Smith I swear the defense looks better when he is out there I don't care how slow he isn't or isn't. On the other end of things Caleb Banks was a mixed bag but he made some plays and they definitely had him out there quite a few snaps. It's kinda impressive how they have been able to build that interior D line. Banks is sort of a luxury pick and if he does actually hit holy shit.

Monster- excellent point about the defense looking much better when Smith is out there. I went to the Packer game, and my buddies and I were frustrated that he was mostly only playing on certain passing downs, because the pass coverage was so much better when he was on the field. But he was almost doubled over at times on the sideline...clearly not close to game shape. So I think Flores was correct not playing him much last week. But it seemed to me he played more snaps this week, and the defensive backfield looked much more cohesive. We have some terrific athletes in our defensive backfield, but they look much better when Harry is out there directing traffic.

One of my early years in college the flag football team I was on for college intramurals ended up with a few people that didn't make it to games for various reasons. Because I wanted to at least play I would go through the cafeteria hoping anyone would be willing to play. One guy I've known for quite a while was like I can't play I had surgeries on both knees. I was like I don't care if you do anything just stand out there so we don't forfeit. He agreed. He played football in HS and was very smart when it came to playing in the defensive backfield. He basically quarterbacked our defense even though he really couldn't move a whole lot. It was fun. We were in the lower division but with a couple original players and sole castoffs we came together and beat all the best teams in the regular season. Unfortunately we had forfeited too many games earlier in the season to make the playoffs. That was also the year I learned I should never play QB. Lol Harrison Smith is a future HOFer and playing at the highest level possible and he still has plenty of value. There was a hilarious tweet that I saw last week that said their fun theory was Flores calls a somewhat normal defense but Harry changes the calls to crazy blitzes.

I'll also add that the Vikings have now won 4 games in a row starting a different starting QB. That's pretty wild.

[FNG]

Our Vikings are one of only 8 2-0 teams. But they rank last in average yards gained and only 25th in average yards given up! Obviously there is some luck involved in our two wins...for instance, we probably don't win if Williams doesn't blow his hamstring as he was waltzing into the end zone. Some might say we've been lucky with the penalty differential too, but I would push back on that. Our opponents' offensive penalties are due in part to the different looks Flores is throwing at them...they often look confused as they approached the line of scrimmage.

Still much to learn about this team, but I'm guardedly optimistic.

[Wolvesfan21]

For the love of God could we just get a real QB on this team!?
Team would be ridiculous with anywhere near a top 10 QB but we're stuck with this shit

Don't think it happens much anymore, but an effective game manager can still win a SB, but the defense needs to be elite. Wentz didn't turn it over and that might be more important than anything.

Maybe. I'm just saying that it's embarrassing to watch THIS offense struggle this much with all of the talent it has available because it's getting wasted on some of the worst QB play in the league since they decided to let Darnold walk.

There is no world where Wentz can game manage this team (or any team) to a super bowl. We'll see about Murrary..... I'm not holding my breath

IF and big IF the defense gets even better and continues to force turnovers. Some really "mediocre" at best QB's have won SB's.

From Nick Foles to Trent Dilfer, to Hostetler to Brad Johnson. The question is is Murray or Wentz even in that tier. Thats a maybe as well. I would argue probably. But then again, the defense will have to carry the day and the QB's will have to play up to their mediocre potentials as well. They still have to do something and get hot at the right time (playoffs).

[Wolvesfan21]

I would say we are fairly fortunate to be 2-0. Bounces and turnovers even questionable penalties have gone our way. But that is part of the game. The concern is, relying on those things long term seems a bit sketch to me. We need even better defense (we've been giving up yards and OK on points). We need better passing overall. To be a SB contender, this team is not close IMO.

Got to be happy with 2-0 though.

[Q-is-here]

Don't think it happens much anymore, but an effective game manager can still win a SB, but the defense needs to be elite. Wentz didn't turn it over and that might be more important than anything.

Maybe. I'm just saying that it's embarrassing to watch THIS offense struggle this much with all of the talent it has available because it's getting wasted on some of the worst QB play in the league since they decided to let Darnold walk.

There is no world where Wentz can game manage this team (or any team) to a super bowl. We'll see about Murrary..... I'm not holding my breath

IF and big IF the defense gets even better and continues to force turnovers. Some really "mediocre" at best QB's have won SB's.

From Nick Foles to Trent Dilfer, to Hostetler to Brad Johnson. The question is is Murray or Wentz even in that tier. Thats a maybe as well. I would argue probably. But then again, the defense will have to carry the day and the QB's will have to play up to their mediocre potentials as well. They still have to do something and get hot at the right time (playoffs).

I'd add the 2015 Denver version of Peyton Manning to that list of mediocre QBs. He was well past his prime.

[Wolvesfan21]

Maybe. I'm just saying that it's embarrassing to watch THIS offense struggle this much with all of the talent it has available because it's getting wasted on some of the worst QB play in the league since they decided to let Darnold walk.

There is no world where Wentz can game manage this team (or any team) to a super bowl. We'll see about Murrary..... I'm not holding my breath

IF and big IF the defense gets even better and continues to force turnovers. Some really "mediocre" at best QB's have won SB's.

From Nick Foles to Trent Dilfer, to Hostetler to Brad Johnson. The question is is Murray or Wentz even in that tier. Thats a maybe as well. I would argue probably. But then again, the defense will have to carry the day and the QB's will have to play up to their mediocre potentials as well. They still have to do something and get hot at the right time (playoffs).

I'd add the 2015 Denver version of Peyton Manning to that list of mediocre QBs. He was well past his prime.

Oh yeah for sure, he was completely cooked. That defense was great though and he could do just enough. I'm sure there are a few more, some might even put Darnold on that list. Though he's pretty talented as a thrower, still not an elite QB though.

[Monster]

IF and big IF the defense gets even better and continues to force turnovers. Some really "mediocre" at best QB's have won SB's.

From Nick Foles to Trent Dilfer, to Hostetler to Brad Johnson. The question is is Murray or Wentz even in that tier. Thats a maybe as well. I would argue probably. But then again, the defense will have to carry the day and the QB's will have to play up to their mediocre potentials as well. They still have to do something and get hot at the right time (playoffs).

I'd add the 2015 Denver version of Peyton Manning to that list of mediocre QBs. He was well past his prime.

Oh yeah for sure, he was completely cooked. That defense was great though and he could do just enough. I'm sure there are a few more, some might even put Darnold on that list. Though he's pretty talented as a thrower, still not an elite QB though.

Brad Johnson wasn't elite but he was at least a good starter. Foles quite frankly just played out of his mind for the playoffs that year. Was he mediocre overall for his career? Yes but that playoffs he wasn't.

Jeff Hostetler played in a different era and had only a handful of starts before that playoff run. I had thought he had played a little more than he did but...that was a long time ago and I was a kid when that Superbowl happened. Lol

I'm not really look at this team as a Superbowl team anyways. I was hoping for some success from young players and some positives at the QB position regardless of who ended up being healthy enough to take snaps. Hopefully we will see some positives from Murray although we should maybe tempter expectations coming off an injury and likely to have some rust from that and not having played more than a handful of snaps in this offense.

[Wolvesfan21]

I'd add the 2015 Denver version of Peyton Manning to that list of mediocre QBs. He was well past his prime.

Oh yeah for sure, he was completely cooked. That defense was great though and he could do just enough. I'm sure there are a few more, some might even put Darnold on that list. Though he's pretty talented as a thrower, still not an elite QB though.

Brad Johnson wasn't elite but he was at least a good starter. Foles quite frankly just played out of his mind for the playoffs that year. Was he mediocre overall for his career? Yes but that playoffs he wasn't.

Jeff Hostetler played in a different era and had only a handful of starts before that playoff run. I had thought he had played a little more than he did but...that was a long time ago and I was a kid when that Superbowl happened. Lol

I'm not really look at this team as a Superbowl team anyways. I was hoping for some success from young players and some positives at the QB position regardless of who ended up being healthy enough to take snaps. Hopefully we will see some positives from Murray although we should maybe tempter expectations coming off an injury and likely to have some rust from that and not having played more than a handful of snaps in this offense.

Doug Williams was another backup if I remember right who won it all. I think it was more common pre Brady, where elite run games and elite defenses were bigger factors then high flying passing attacks. Now a days with the rules and everything, passing and QB's certainly are more important. Not that you can't win with a Nick Foles or washed up Peyton, it's maybe a bit more rare.

[Monster]

Oh yeah for sure, he was completely cooked. That defense was great though and he could do just enough. I'm sure there are a few more, some might even put Darnold on that list. Though he's pretty talented as a thrower, still not an elite QB though.

Brad Johnson wasn't elite but he was at least a good starter. Foles quite frankly just played out of his mind for the playoffs that year. Was he mediocre overall for his career? Yes but that playoffs he wasn't.

Jeff Hostetler played in a different era and had only a handful of starts before that playoff run. I had thought he had played a little more than he did but...that was a long time ago and I was a kid when that Superbowl happened. Lol

I'm not really look at this team as a Superbowl team anyways. I was hoping for some success from young players and some positives at the QB position regardless of who ended up being healthy enough to take snaps. Hopefully we will see some positives from Murray although we should maybe tempter expectations coming off an injury and likely to have some rust from that and not having played more than a handful of snaps in this offense.

Doug Williams was another backup if I remember right who won it all. I think it was more common pre Brady, where elite run games and elite defenses were bigger factors then high flying passing attacks. Now a days with the rules and everything, passing and QB's certainly are more important. Not that you can't win with a Nick Foles or washed up Peyton, it's maybe a bit more rare.

Doug Williams was a bit of an interesting situation. He started every game he played for tampa while he was there and left due to a contract dispute where he was lowballed by Tampa. I looked up up he was a .500 record QB with Tamba which seems kinda impressive considering I remember that team being bad my whole childhood. I used to joke about if you want to win a Superbowl just get a former Tampa QB.