Vikings 2021 Season: Best Moments
The Vikings 2021 season was filled with anxiety. 2021 ended on a high note with a win over the Chicago Bears. Winning the season finale wasn’t the only positive of the season.
Vikings 2021 Season: Best Moments
Drafting Christian Darisaw
Perhaps final good move made by former G.M Rick Spielman in Minnesota. It’s an underrated move that took calculation and some luck to maneuver. With his coaching staff, scouting department, and even owners in the room Rick Spielman fielded calls all night. Whether it was calling the Carolina Panthers to move from the 14th spot, it was a busy night for Spielman. He pulled the trigger and moved down to 23 with the New York Jets. In return, the Vikings got the 23rd, 66th, and 86th pick.
The Vikings sat there waiting and watching as teams selected players. They still had major holes at the left tackle, defensive end, and cornerback positions. The selection was intended to fill one of those needs. It was finally time for Spielman to pick and he said “ well played my friend….. that is crazy “ in a YouTube video provided by the team.
The selection was left tackle Christian Darrisaw who was projected by many draft experts to go at 14 to the Vikings. This pick was a tremendous value and filled a need. Darrisaw took time to start, he was recovering from core surgery and had a groin injury all camp. He started 10 games and passes the eye test and should take a huge step in 22. Spielman left the Vikings roster with many holes but the left tackle is not one. He showed gm poise last draft night and let’s hope Kwesi can do the same.
Beating the Chargers
The Vikings 2021 team won back-to-back games three times throughout the season. They never won more than two consecutive games and were never over a .500 winning percentage. The second winning streak was a special one and brought the most optimism to fans. They took down AFC West contenders Los Angeles Chargers to start it off.
The week 10 game was played in Inglewood at the new So-Fi Stadium. The setting was rare for the Vikings as the game was played on the west coast and started later in the day at 1:05 pacific time. The Vikings were 3-5 coming off overtime lost to the Baltimore Ravens and L. A 4-5 just beaten the Eagles in Philadelphia.
The week before Minnesota lost a veteran leader and captain Harrison Smith and starting center Garrett Bradbury to the covid-19 list. Danielle Hunter was lost for the season due to injury and Dalvin Cook had just filed a civil suit against a former girlfriend. The Vikings came out solid and attacked Chargers QB Herbert with pressure and an interception by Eric Kendricks. Two field goals by Greg Joseph and TD catch by Tyler Conklin gave the Vikes a 13-3 lead by halftime. Then the Chargers went on to score the next two touchdowns going up 13-17.
Then the Vikings turned on the offense, Justin Jefferson in this game was unfair. He finished the game with nine catches and 143 yards receiving. On the ground Dalvin Cook had 94 yards rushing and 24 yards receiving. Tyler Conklin added to his touchdown from the first half by catching another one on fourth and goal. Mikes Zimmer’s squad found themselves in a third and 20 before the 2-minute warning. Adam Thielen caught an a18-yard catch setting them up at fourth and two. They went for it and converted on a Dalvin Cook. They ran out the clock to secure the win 27-20
Beating the Packers at US Bank Stadium
Coming off an emotional win on the road the Vikings had to come home to face the Packers.
The Packers were the NFC favorite and red hot up to this point. Their record was eight and two and the Vikings a respectable four and five. The game was action-packed from the start. Devante Adams hauled in a huge 37-yard catch and then the Vikings followed with a 43-yard catch by Jefferson. The game would see blow after blow as neither defense had an answer for the offenses. It would come down to who had the ball last and luckily it was the Vikings.
Green bay had their final possession for only nine seconds with 2:17 to play in the game. Mike Zimmer came with an all-out blitz and it lead to a 75-yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. That was too much time for Kirk Cousins and company. They pulled off a final eight-play drive, capping it off with a throw to Adam Thielen for 29 yards. The completion set up Greg Joseph 29 yard winner as time expired.
The Vikings 2021 offense did it, they had reached the potential fans have been wanting the whole season. They put together two weeks of high octane offense. The two weeks totaled a combined 61 points scored. Kirk Cousins throwing 635 yards and 5 touchdowns with zero interceptions. Justin Jefferson got his touches with 17 catches and 312 yards receiving with a pair of touchdowns.
Escaping Thursday night against Pittsburgh
The Vikings were hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers on a Thursday night primetime game in their home stadium rocking their primetime purple uniforms.
From the first snap of the game, The Vikings dominated Pittsburgh. They ran all over them all game and we’re passing the ball over the yard with ease. By the third quarter, the Vikings built a 29 point lead and essentially all they had to do was run the time out and not let the Steelers in.
Of course, Minnesota just did with a pair of interceptions by Kirk Cousins and the defense had disintegrated into nothing letting Big Ben throw all over them. The game came down to the last play with three seconds left at Minnesotas 12 level yard line. Roethlisberger snapped the ball and threw it to the endzone targeting tight end Pat Freiermuth. Harrison Smith punched it out resulting in an incompletion. Brings a sigh of relief to fans. This was a classic case of sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.