FOOTBALL MACHINE: Coming to Grips With an 0-3 Start
Sam Ekstrom and Luke Inman react to Minnesota’s loss to Tennessee, which sends them to an 0-3 start: -Do the Vikings lack the talent to win games? -The Vikings fooled us all with their irrational...
View ArticleHow the Titans’ COVID-19 Outbreak Affects the Minnesota Vikings
After roughly two months of successful COVID-19 mitigation the NFL has its first major incident, and the Minnesota Vikings are in the middle of it. The Tennessee Titans, who beat the Vikings 31-30 on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Big Passing Plays Have Been Vikings’“Achilles Heel” Through Three Games
For half a decade, the Minnesota Vikings were arguably the gold standard for defensive consistency. From 2015-19, no other NFC defense gave up fewer points. No other NFC defense allowed fewer yards....
View ArticleFOOTBALL MACHINE: COVID Scare, Offseason Second Guesses & the Worst 0-3...
Sam Ekstrom, Luke Inman and Arif Hasan discuss the latest in Vikings football. Topics include: -How does the 2020 season compare to 2010? -How can the defense realistically improve this year? -What...
View ArticleThe Minnesota Twins 18 Straight Playoff Losses, Ranked
Well, it happened again. The Minnesota Twins haven’t won a playoff game in almost 16 years, despite appearing in the playoffs seven times during that span. The latest in a lengthy list of postseason...
View ArticleTwo Receivers Traded, Zero Wins: Vikings, Texans Adjusting to Life Without...
It wouldn’t be fair to claim that the loss of one player is the root cause of matching 0-3 starts for two teams that made the Divisional Playoffs a season ago. Lapses defensively and stiff competition...
View ArticleVikings Mailbag: Jefferson’s Breakout, Improving Cousins & Can Spielman Be...
For years the listeners of our Football Machine Vikings podcast have sent in amazing Twitter questions, and far too often we’ve had to leave many of them on the cutting room floor because of time. No...
View ArticleInstant Reaction: Late Goal-Line Stand Gives the Vikings Their First Win
Somebody had to pick up a win, and even with a shortened practice week due to a COVID-19 scare, the Minnesota Vikings looked more prepared and won 31-23. Minnesota never trailed in the game and did...
View ArticleThe Vikings Won, But Harrison Smith’s Ejection Could Have Been Costly
The Minnesota Vikings were a replay review away from possibly facing overtime; a replay review away from having to answer questions about how the heck they gave up two fourth-down, fourth-quarter...
View ArticleFOOTBALL MACHINE: The Vikings Win, But Does it Change the Season Outlook?
am Ekstrom and Luke Inman react to Minnesota’s 31-23 win over the Houston Texans: -The Vikings nearly blow a 15-point lead, but replay review saves them. -What is the ideal cornerback group moving...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Vikings’ Rookie Corners Performed Well in Houston. Will They Get Another Shot...
Believe it or not, the Minnesota Vikings weren’t the only winless team that earned its first victory after starting two rookie cornerbacks. The 0-3 Denver Broncos started Essang Bassey and Michael...
View ArticleFOOTBALL MACHINE: Jefferson vs. Diggs, DE Rotation & Seattle Challenges
Sam Ekstrom, Luke Inman and Arif Hasan discuss the latest with the Minnesota Vikings. Topics include: -Houston fires Bill O’Brien after losing to the Vikings. Is Pete Carroll next?!? -Justin Jefferson...
View ArticleDalvin Cook’s Fast Start Has Him Looking at Barry Sanders Tape for Inspiration
Dalvin Cook fires up his tablet and goes to work watching film: Upcoming opponents, past performances, practice reps — the whole routine. But that’s also where Cook has stored some of his most valuable...
View ArticleThe Seahawks Started 0-2 Two Years Ago and Were Able to Rebuild on the Fly
The Seattle Seahawks understand what it’s like to undergo a defensive overhaul like the Minnesota Vikings are this year; to lose familiar faces that defined the team’s identity. What they have on the...
View ArticleVikings Mailbag: Garrett Bradbury’s Progress, and Where Are Bisi and Irv?
For years the listeners of our Football Machine Vikings podcast have sent in amazing Twitter questions, and far too often we’ve had to leave many of them on the cutting room floor because of time. No...
View ArticleSeahawks Shock Vikings 27-26 with 95-Yard Two-Minute Drive
This one will be analyzed for a long time. Russell Wilson hit D.K. Metcalf for a fourth-down touchdown with 15 seconds left to give the Seahawks a 27-26 win, ending a 95-yard drive that Wilson executed...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mike Zimmer’s 4th and 1 Gamble Was Justifiable
The only person that won’t be doing any Monday morning second-guessing is the Minnesota Vikings head coach. Mike Zimmer, the man who often challenges the analytics movement that drives the in-games...
View ArticleFOOTBALL MACHINE: Breaking Down All the Decisions and Drama in Seattle
Luke Inman and Sam Ekstrom react to the craziness that occurred Sunday night in Seattle as the Vikings lose 27-26: -What should we make of Mike Zimmer’s 4th and 1 decision? –Russell Wilson‘s final...
View ArticleThe Vikings Are Re-Learning Mike Zimmer’s Four Learns of Football
Mike Zimmer is a football coach without frills. He’s said many times that he’s driven by the teaching aspect of his job: the film sessions, the practice field, the sideline during games, etc. Believe...
View ArticleFOOTBALL MACHINE: The Great 4th and 1 Debate, OL Development & Week 6 Picks
Sam Ekstrom, Arif Hasan and Luke Inman discuss the latest in Vikings football. Topics include: -Putting a bow on the Seattle Seahawks game -Were you satisfied with Kirk Cousins‘ performance? -How...
View Article