• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • Pro Wrestling
  • MMA
Dec 30, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) talks to quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Five Games that Defined the Vikings’ 2018 Season

February 13, 2019
AL Notes: Yanks Boone Takes Medical Leave Of Absence, Fitter Guerrero Looking For Big ‘21

AL Notes: Yanks Boone Takes Medical Leave Of Absence, Fitter Guerrero Looking For Big ‘21

March 3, 2021
Joe Is Right, Tom Brady Is The G.O.A.T

Joe Is Right, Tom Brady Is The G.O.A.T

March 3, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Faneca: Hines Ward “Absolutely, 100 Percent Deserves” to Be A Hall of Famer

Faneca: Hines Ward “Absolutely, 100 Percent Deserves” to Be A Hall of Famer

March 3, 2021

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Wyatt Davis

March 3, 2021
Raiders TE Foster Moreau

Raiders Backup TE Fight for Snaps

March 3, 2021

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Dyami Brown

March 3, 2021
Possible Chicago Bears trade target Russell Wilson

Chicago Bears: Desperation Could Help Team Land Big Quarterback

March 3, 2021
Matt Mitrione: Showcasing that NFL and MMA  Crossovers Can Work

Matt Mitrione: Showcasing that NFL and MMA Crossovers Can Work

March 3, 2021
Why Not Eight? Tom Brady Already Focused On 2021

Why Not Eight? Tom Brady Already Focused On 2021

March 2, 2021

This Or That: Jon Feliciano Or David Andrews?

March 2, 2021
Could Miami Replace Stability Center Ted Karras with Green Bay’s Corey Linsley?

Could Miami Replace Stability Center Ted Karras with Green Bay’s Corey Linsley?

March 2, 2021
Former Chicago Bears cornerback Buster Skrine

Chicago Bears: Team Makes First Move To Add Salary Cap Space

March 2, 2021
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • FullPressRadio.com
  • SHOP FPC
  • FullPressHockey.com
  • FullPressWrestling.com


Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Full Press Coverage
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Coverage
No Result
View All Result
Home NFL NFC NFC North Minnesota Vikings

Five Games that Defined the Vikings’ 2018 Season

Sam Smith by Sam Smith
February 13, 2019
in Minnesota Vikings, NFC, NFC North, NFL
Reading Time: 6min read
0
Dec 30, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) talks to quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 30, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) talks to quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

1.5k
SHARES
3.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In a 16-game season, it may seem unreasonable to whittle down a team’s essence to five games. However, each game represents a piece of an over-arching story, and each piece spells out a pattern that leads to the final product. The Vikings were the ultimate roller coaster of NFL teams this year. The highs were high, the lows impossibly low. These five games represented what made the 2018 Vikings the disappointment they ultimately proved to be.

Week 2 at Green Bay Packers

This was the first indication that the Vikings may have an elite passing attack on their hands, while also serving as unsubtle foreshadowing as to how the season would ultimately fare. Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense were hit-and-miss throughout the first half in Green Bay, scoring only seven points before the break. However, Cousins, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen exploded in the fourth quarter with 22 points, including two of the best throws Cousins would make all year. Minnesota stormed back to tie the game and send it to overtime.

More FromFPC

Joe Is Right, Tom Brady Is The G.O.A.T

Joe Is Right, Tom Brady Is The G.O.A.T

March 3, 2021

Faneca: Hines Ward “Absolutely, 100 Percent Deserves” to Be A Hall of Famer

March 3, 2021

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Wyatt Davis

March 3, 2021

Raiders Backup TE Fight for Snaps

March 3, 2021

Then the typical Vikings kicking curse re-emerged. Rookie Daniel Carlson missed a 49-yard field goal in overtime, giving the Packers good field position. However, the defense held and the Vikings got the ball back. Cousins drove them down to the Green Bay 17 for a chip-shot game-winning field goal attempt with four seconds left. But Carlson pushed it wide right as time expired and the game ended in a tie. Carlson was cut the next day.

Week 4 at Los Angeles Rams

The second indication that the Vikings had the potential for an elite passing offense, yet a struggling defense cost them a big win against the future NFC champs. Cousins played his best game of the season with a passer rating of 117.3, 422 yards and three touchdowns against no interceptions. He was sharp from whistle to whistle, spreading the ball around, avoiding pressure well and keeping the train on the tracks, even as the running game disappeared into nothing. The problem was that his counterpart, Jared Goff, played just that much better.

In fact, Goff played probably the best single quarterbacking game of the entire NFL season in this game. Against the supposed vaunted defense of the Vikings, Goff turned in a perfect passing performance. Literally, he finished with a perfect passer rating on 33 attempts. 465 yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions, and a sixth touchdown was dropped in the end zone by Cooper Kupp in the fourth. Maybe it was Sean McVay’s masterful scheming, maybe Goff channeled something he never quite had before or since. But on this day, the Vikings defense was exposed, and Vikings fans slipped into panic mode for a brief stretch.

Week 8 vs New Orleans Saints

In week eight, fans were still leaning strong positive on Cousins’ Vikings tenure. Despite a few lackluster games here and there, he was maintaining solid performances fairly consistently. And this game at home against the Saints was no exception. It was another game in which John DeFilippo went away from the running game early and put everything on Cousins. For the most part, Cousins was up to the task. His final line was good: 31 for 41, 359 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. However, it was two plays, two freak mistakes by the Vikings two best offensive players, that completely swung the game towards the NFC’s top team.

The first happened late in the first half. Up 13-10, Minnesota was driving into the red zone, preparing to take a potential two-score lead into the break. But then Thielen, the Vikings’ record-setting receiver, fumbled at the New Orleans 14. Marshon Lattimore scooped it up and carried it all the way to the Vikings’ 33. After a Laquon Treadwell unsportsmanlike penalty, the Saints scored an easy touchdown two plays later, a potential 14-point swing just before halftime.

The second mistake happened in the third quarter. The Vikings now down 20-13, they had moved the ball just shy of midfield. Cousins dropped back to pass, rolled to his right and looked to Diggs on a drag route. However, in hopes of finding more space on the scramble drill, Diggs broke off his route just as Cousins released the ball. The pass went right into the hands of P.J. Williams, who ran it back for the pick-six and the Saints’ 14-point lead. The Vikings battled back a bit, but they never recovered after those two turnovers, and missed on another chance to seat themselves among the NFC elites.

Week 14 at Seattle Seahawks

Up until this game, the Vikings’ lackluster offensive performances were aberrations. Most weeks, the offense put points on the board, and often in bunches. The Bills game was a blip on a radar of solid outings week after week. The New England game could be explained away by the defensive genius of Bill Belichick. But this game against Seattle, well, it was a whole other ballpark of offensive ineptitude.

This game opened the floodgates of doubts, demonstrated trends of inconsistency and flat out stagnancy and ultimately cost DeFilippo his job. Cousins was bad. The line was bad. The play-calling was bad. And the defense was excellent. Yet, the final score says blowout, even though it was a one-score game almost the whole way. This game was the beginning of the end for the Vikings season, and the signature performance for a quarterback continually devoid of big game excellence.

Week 17 vs Chicago Bears

The big game blues hit the Vikings hard in the game that mattered most. For two weeks prior, it appeared that the offense had turned around under Kevin Stefanski. More importantly, it seemed they had righted the ship just in time for a win-or-go-home game in week 17 against the division champ Bears. Minnesota needed to win, or at least a Philadelphia loss against Washington to clinch the final Wild Card spot. Alas, in what was the final opportunity for the Vikings to reveal their true All-Pro-talented, NFC Championship Game participant selves, they laid yet another egg en route to a lost season.

Kirk Cousins played arguably his worst game of the season, throwing for only 132 yards on 33 attempts while getting sacked four times. To say the offense never got off the bus would be an understatement, as they punted on each of their first five series, and did not record a first down until the 1:30 mark of the second quarter. Even though the Bears’ offense hardly achieved greatness, they looked like the ’84 Dolphins compared to the Vikings. Ultimately, the Bears won handily inside U.S Bank Stadium, and an Eagles win sent the Vikings home far earlier than planned.  

 

You may notice that each of these game results were disappointing ones: four losses and a tie. No signature wins, no exciting, dramatic moments in the Vikings favor populate this list. That may seem unfair for a team that finished above .500. However, the fact of the matter is that the Vikings did not have a signature win this year. The closest thing to it would be a week five defeat of the hosting Eagles, but the team was reeling at the time at 2-2, resembling nothing of the playoff team they would eventually become. Aside from that, the Vikings feasted on bottom-feeders and lost every opportunity to prove themselves against strong opponents.

The theme of the season was that nothing ever fell perfectly into place. When the defense was on, Cousins and the offense floundered. Sometimes Cousins was clicking, but his trusted weapons made key errors. When the offense on the whole was on fire, the defense and special teams could not come through. These five games reveal what the Vikings were this season: deeply talented, exceedingly capable, yet fatally flawed.  

 

–Sam Smith is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Vikings and Deputy Editor for Full Press NFL. Like and Follow @samc_smith.

 Follow @fpc_vikings and Follow @fpc_nfl

Latest Vikings News
  • Fall from Grace for the Once-Proud Minnesota Vikings Defense
  • Vikings at Buccaneers: Preview and Prediction
  • NFL Monday Night Football Odds: Vikings Favored to Claim Rare Win in Chicago
  • Lions Commit Three Turnovers, Get Run Over in Loss to Minnesota
  • Disappointing Vikings Poised for a Second Half Run
Tags: 2018 NFL SeasonAdam ThielenKirk CousinsMike ZimmerMinnesota VikingsNFLStefon Diggs
Share607Tweet380
Previous Post

Who will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Backup Quarterback be in 2019

Next Post

The Inception of Foles Magic: Part 2

Sam Smith

Sam Smith

Next Post
New Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles

The Inception of Foles Magic: Part 2

Chris Ballard Progress Report Part 1: The Draft

Chris Ballard Progress Report Part 1: The Draft

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A Twitter List by iglen31

FPC Podcasts

  • Ep 32: HOFer Alan Faneca Joins the Shows
    by Full Press Coverage on March 3, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43721848/eyetest_ep32.mp3
  • Ep.196: Karendacity, Southern Unhospitality, Hot Dogs
    by Full Press Coverage on March 3, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3050453055.mp3?updated=1614787762
  • 3/3 - Car Stories; Veterans Released; Patriots QB in 2021
    by Full Press Coverage on March 3, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3395676457.mp3?updated=1614789665
  • Ep.71: 2021 Preview: Week One
    by Full Press Coverage on March 3, 2021 at 9:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7736742284.mp3
  • The Most Dangerous Lead in Hockey - Mar. 2, 2021
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 9:00 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/6F48GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV5459284023.mp3?updated=1614718406
  • Ep #95: A Look At Latest Comments From Brett Veach
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 6:48 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7560364991.mp3
  • Ep 31: A Conversation With Former HOF Voter Ira Miller
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43706342/eyetest_ep31.mp3
  • Ep. 195: The Creep, the Sheep, the Sleep
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 5:09 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7267001388.mp3
  • Ep.194: Cascading Waterfall of WTF
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 7:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4347396937.mp3
  • The Pick and Roll NBA Podcast W/ Jet and Sap - EP 11 - LeBron vs. Ibrahimović; Why Kobe Isn't the Right Choice for NBA Logo
    by Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2021 at 1:59 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43696480/pick_and_roll_3_1.mp3

  • WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on March 2, 2021 at 4:49 am

    WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: March 1, 2021 A.K.A. The One Where Lashley Finally Did It […]

  • NXT TakeOver Draft: Who Can Build The Best All-Time TakeOver Card?
    by Evan Gomes on March 1, 2021 at 2:30 pm

    Who can create the best NXT TakeOver card? One of the most consistent events in wrestling over the […]

  • Crossbody of Work Episode 52: Jacqueline
    by Evan Gomes on February 27, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    Welcome to Crossbody of Work, a show where we break down a wrestler’s career through five of […]

  • WWE: The Latest Performance Center Class & Debuts
    by Evan Gomes on February 26, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    Who has WWE added to their talent pool? WWE has brought in it’s largest Performance Center class […]

  • AEW Signs “The Big Show” Paul Wight
    by Evan Gomes on February 24, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    Well… AEW has announced the signing of wrestling legend Paul Wight, known in WWE as The Big Show, […]

More Wrestling News

  • Dinamo Riga Sack Peteris Skudra
    by Aivis Kalnins on March 3, 2021 at 7:46 pm

    After a massive failure during the regular season which led to a historically bad finish - Dinamo […]

  • Don’t Look Now, But Islanders Are Tied For First In Division With The Capitals
    by Curtis Rush on March 3, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    The New York Islanders have pulled into a tie with the Washington Capitals for first place in the […]

  • Jarry Shines as Penguins Defeat Rival Flyers
    by Luke Talotta on March 3, 2021 at 5:48 pm

    Tristan Jarry was stellar in goal for the Pens and continues to show that his early-season […]

  • Par for the Course: Desert Aesthetic Highlights Palm Springs Arena
    by FPC AHL Staff on March 3, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    The arena plan calls for groundbreaking in May near Palm Desert, aiming for completion in time for […]

  • How Can You Not “Love The Drake?”
    by Murray Pam on March 2, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    Drake Batherson potted another two goals Monday in the Ottawa Senators 5-1 romp over the Calgary […]

More Hockey News

  • Ep 54: Boston Strong Through First Quarter; Bruins Ready For Tahoe; Trade Rumors
    by Full Press Coverage on February 19, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    Ian and Chris discuss the Bruins first quarter of the season, the upcoming […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/26944781/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-02-19%2F9842e3b3bd832cd255d0058b2a68b0b5.m4a
  • Ep 53: Bruins On a Roll; Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy; Blackey Family History
    by Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    Ian and Chris are joined by Eric Blackey to talk Bruins' hot streak, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/26174126/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-02-03%2F66793c2461c1f0eaf37253a4e481f46b.m4a
  • Ep 52: Bruins Early Season Struggles
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the first few games of the season and wonder what […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25536904/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-21%2F3056b20d5e95c23e9c23b40f379c9029.m4a
  • Ep 51: Bergeron Dons The "C", Picking Up the Chara/Krug Slack; Season Expectations
    by Full Press Coverage on January 13, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    Mike Cratty of the Sal and Cratty Show and BlackNGoldHockey.com joins Ian […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25157918/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-13%2F4542c465ec7a3234f146bea647ede57e.m4a
  • Ep 50: Mr. Chara Goes to Washinton
    by Full Press Coverage on December 31, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the Capitals signing of Bruins longtime captain, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24623669/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-31%2F26d5b85c06ec2255c2f6cfc78b24cf94.m4a
  • Ep 49: Bruins New Division; Chara's Future in Boston
    by Full Press Coverage on December 23, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Ian and Chris return to discuss the NHL's 56-game season, the Bruins new […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24356084/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-23%2F5755949a0115f50df8582cc32916323a.m4a
  • Ep 48: Jake DeBrusk Signs; Reverse Retro Jerseys; Thanksgiving Food Draft
    by Full Press Coverage on November 26, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    On this Thanksgiving episode of the Big Bad Bruins Podcast, Ian and Chris […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/23142833/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F52d6fc857b1cd37d19b4fe24752398f6.m4a
Full Press Coverage

© 2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • Staff Portal
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • Have a news tip?
  • Privacy Policy
  • FPC Radio Network
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • FullPressHockey.com

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows

© 2020 Full Press Coverage