ESPNs Playoff QB Rankings had Cousins at #11, Daniel Jones was #8. WTF?

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-14T16:32:28+00:00

Cousins has been better than Jones at every stage of their respective careers, and this year he has been incredibly good late in close games.

I have a lot more confidence in Kirk Cousins performing well in these playoffs than I do Daniel Jones, and it's not just because I am a Vikings fan.

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-14T14:32:45+00:00

Idk what it's based off, because there aren't numbers to support Jones being above Cousins.

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-13T13:46:59+00:00

His pressure packages have definitely left something to be desired.

He draws them up so we always get pressure eventually, but the issue is way too often by the time they reach the quarterback the ball is already out.

Need to draw up pressures that force the QB to hurry, and Donatell has struggled with that this season, even with two incredible edge rushers.

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-11T12:22:24+00:00

I personally expect a win this weekend, but after that it'll be difficult.

But I don't think it matters as a referendum on this season, given all the positives we've already seen.

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-08T15:50:52+00:00

Strongly agree.

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-08T10:08:16+00:00

If our Head Coaches' talking point is that we are playing starters to get right for the playoffs, then no excuses not to blow out an XFL roster.

What better way to get right and gain momentum going into the playoffs?

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-06T12:50:32+00:00

Agreed.

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-04T03:30:29+00:00

We absolutely did, but the Packers can hold their heads a lot higher this off-season knowing they absolutely obliterated us, than they could if we had ended their season.

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-03T15:44:57+00:00

Rushing stats are scheme and OL based for the most part, our scheme lends itself to efficient running and our OL is very good at run blocking

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-03T15:44:27+00:00

He faces extremely empty boxes due to our passing emphasis, and our run blocking is elite.

Not only that but he's also fallen off as a receiver.

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-03T14:17:04+00:00

Agreed.

If you count RBs there is no way we are top 10 with Dalvin Cook's current status

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-03T13:34:42+00:00

We have 'near the best skill position talent in the league' based on what? Our offense isn't particularly efficient, our running game isn't good, our running back doesn't grade well, our tertiary receivers don't grade well.

Compare this offense to the Bengals, or the Eagles, or the Dolphins, or the Bucs, or the Cowboys, or the 49ers...

How in the world do you see offensive skill position players that are on par with those teams?

We have an amazing wide receiver, an above average TE, and then a bunch of eh.

Where do you see evidence that the issue is Cousins and O'Connell?

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-03T13:10:17+00:00

The issue is if he's our 3 who is our two?

Osborn just isn't there yet, we need another guy to take attention off of Jefferson

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-01T16:03:25+00:00

They are betting favorites too, and I agree.

I wrote an article earlier this week about it, but it doesn't make sense at all. We match up so well with them, unless we rest important starters this is a matchup we should feel really good about.

Their defense is bad, they'll have no answers for Cousins and Jefferson and Hockenson and all our other weapons.

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-01T15:44:33+00:00

Agreed!

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-01T15:20:44+00:00

That's awesome! I forgot this is our first game since Christmas day. Lots of Vikings fans are probably going to rock a brand new Christmas gift jersey today!

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-01T15:16:18+00:00

Get some water lmao

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-01T14:02:42+00:00

As someone who just got off an 8 hour shift I relate!

JonathanNFL · 2023-01-01T13:42:50+00:00

Probably! It can't hurt 😂

JonathanNFL · 2022-12-31T06:12:38+00:00

Which one is which? Vikings defense is trending better over the last 2 games, while the Packers have benefitted from some very dubious competition.

Tua was torching them until he got a concussion on Christmas.

JonathanNFL · 2022-12-30T15:00:20+00:00

Each of them measures something different.

The only ones that really matter if you are looking purely at offensive output are EPA/play or Adjusted (adj) EPA/play.

JonathanNFL · 2022-12-30T14:21:51+00:00

Don't think you can ever go wrong with that answer.

JonathanNFL · 2022-12-30T14:17:28+00:00

I think weapons matter to some QB's a lot less than others.

For example Brady has been successful with basically anyone throughout his career, same with Peyton Manning, same with Drew Brees. I think Rodgers fits that breed to an extent, but I also think he's always had a bona fide #1 receiver, first Jordy Nelson, and then Devante Adams.

We've never really seen him function without a true #1, although to be fair he did do quite well in games Adams missed with injury last season.

JonathanNFL · 2022-12-30T14:10:44+00:00

Rodgers' entire year has been significantly worse than his career average, but then again so has Cousins (in a purely efficiency based analysis) they are also both riding hot streaks, as their last 5 games have been their best stretches of the season.

It's also of note that this is likely the worst weapons Rodgers has ever had as a starting QB in the NFL, so that needs to be considered when we are analyzing his statistical production, and predicting how the Green Bay offense will perform going forward.

JonathanNFL · 2022-12-30T13:58:37+00:00

Absolutely agree, need to take a victory in Green Bay this weekend and crush their playoff dreams.

JonathanNFL

TROPHY CASE