I've been ready for Zimmer to go for quite some time, but now that the day that he coaches his last game is (likely) upon us, I can't help but feel sad about it.
Though he's a very flawed coach, he's a brilliant defensive mind and a good leader of men. He brought a high level of competence to this team that had been lacking for years. Every single season since 2014, the Vikings have either made the playoffs or been in the hunt well into December. 2015, 2017, and 2019 were extremely fun seasons, 2017 especially. Zimmer's defense took Case Keenum and a bad offensive line to the NFCCG, that's still unbelievably impressive. He did a ton for this team.
I have no doubt that if he decides to coach again (which, for his own sake, I hope he doesnt), he could turn another team into a perennial playoff contender with an elite defense, I really think he's that good. But he's just no longer a good fit for the team, and both sides need a fresh start.
I feel sad about losing him, but there's also a strong sense of trepidation regarding whiffing on this next head coach hire. Like him or not, Zimmer's scheme and style provides a solid floor for this team. We know what he brings to the table, and while his style may not be enough to win a superbowl, it's definitely conducive to competitive, winning football. There's a real chance that the Vikings hire a worse head coach, but that's a risk that we all need to accept.
I can't help but wonder how different things might be without the injuries to key defensive linemen over the last two years and better defensive drafting. Pretty easy to imagine Zim might still have a job (although that's neither here nor there).
I am extremely looking forward to a HC that can (hopefully) be willing to bring this offense into the fucking 21st century. It's an offensive league now, and we need a coach who understands that and designs a scheme that actually empowers our superstar offensive players instead chaining them to an out-dated approach to offensive football.
Zimmer had a good run with the team, for a time. Probably also worth noting that the team did all of this with Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, and Kirk Cousins (who has come a long way since the Vikings first acquired him) as the starting QBs over that time.
The last few years have been rough. I am not saying Zimmer didn't deserve to get fired. "Defensive mastermind" and they were 24th in total defense this year and 29th last year. And I think this year, 24th doesnt even do justice to how bad they were. The defense overall was just regular bad, but in clutch situations, they were historically bad. They allowed the most points under the 2-minute warning in the last 20 years and were ZERO FOR EIGHT on stopping game-tying or go-ahead scores in the 4th quarter this season. They were probably a pretty mediocre defense otherwise but consistently wilted every single time it mattered.
So no, this is not a Mike Zimmer defense post. Although, it's probably fair to also mention that the team's superstar edge rusher has missed most of the last two seasons, defensive starters particularly in the front 7 being constantly injured, and the Vikings not drafting a single defensive starter in SIX years.
With all that being taken into considering though, this team, especially on offense, has way too much talent to have missed the playoffs two years in a row. The Vikings tied the record for most single-score games in a season. The Vikings were competitive in nearly every game this season, and a good coach needs to be able to do enough on the margins to help secure wins in those close games, which Zimmer has not been able to do.
I have no doubt that if he wants to coach elsewhere, he could turn another team into a top-tier defense with perennial playoff aspirations. But he's just no longer a good fit for the Vikings. Zimmer was never willing to actually empower his offense, which is what has won the Vikings most of their games the last two seasons. The Vikings need a HC (and OC) that will actually be willing to take advantage of the absurd talent the Vikings have on offense. Zero reason that an offense with Cousins/Cook/Jefferson/Thielen with a bunch of other solid players like Mattison/Conklin/Osborn should have been only the 14th scoring offense this season.
But, there was definitely a time when Zimmer had this team in a great spot.
Mike Tomlin became the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach in 2007. Due to the NFLβs rotating schedule, the Steelers were supposed to play the Vikings in Minnesota in 2013. However, that game was instead chosen as one of the London games that season. So the Steelers have not played in Minnesota since 2005, when Bill Cowher was still head coach
Additional fun tidbits (if you're not a Vikings fan, anyway):
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3 overtime games
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6 games decided by 3 points or fewer
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7 games with a game-deciding/tying score in the final minute
Depending on your outlook, this could be a good fact to know.
The three shutouts in question:
- November 25, 2001, Browns v. Bengals, 18-0
- November 20, 2005, Browns v. Dolphins, 16-0
- December 16, 2007, Browns v. Bills, 8-0
Prior to the 2017 season, the Cardinals, Lions, Redskins and Vikings had ZERO combined shutout wins since the Browns reformed.
However, both the Vikings and Cardinals miraculously got shutout wins over the Packers and Giants, respectively, on back to back days, Dec. 23, and 24, 2017. That's a pretty fun fact on it's own.
Before the breaking off the streaks, the Cardinals' last shutout win was in 1992, and the Vikings last win was in 1993.
The Lions and Redskins streaks continue, however. Lions' streak began in 1995, while the Redskins streak began in their Super Bowl winning year in 1991, the longest such streak in the NFL currently.
TL;DR: Browns good, Cardinals bad, Vikings bad, Lions bad, Redskins bad, Chiefs AWESOME. Raiders suck, Broncos suck... Wait, what was the question again?
8 games in the season, seems the Vikings are likely leading the league in blood pressure, heart attacks, and heart palpitations. Their only game that didn't come down to the wire was their win against the Seahawks 30-17.
They are 3-5
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Week One: At Cincinnati -- The Fumble that didn't happen
Vikings lost 24-27 in OT
Cincinnati is now 4-2 and have allowed the least amounts of points in their division through 6 games.
Vikings fall to 0-1
Week Two: At Arizona -- That 62 yard FG
Vikings lost 33-34
Arizona is still undefeated and are currently smoking the Browns in Cleveland.
Vikings fall to 0-2
Week Three: Versus the Seachickens -- Mattison steps up for injured Cook
Vikings dominate 30-17
The Seahawks are struggling this year at 2-3, though Wilson is always a tough matchup.
Vikings climb to 1-2
Week Four: Versus Cleveland -- Weak holding call on Conklin
Vikings lost 7-14
The formidable browns were 3-1 after that game, but they're probably going to be 3-3 by tonight.
Vikings fall to 1-3
Week Five: Versus Detroit -- The game that almost got away
Vikings win 19-17
The Lions have yet to win this season, their most lopsided loss was at home versus Cincinnati.
Vikings climb to 2-3
Week Six: At Carolina -- Osborn at the pilon!
Vikings win 34-28 in OT
Carolina was 3-2 going into the game with a stout defense, but allowed almost 600 yards versus MN.
Vikings climb to 3-3
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