Vikings
FOOTBALL MACHINE: Another Clunker Against the Colts
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 21, 2020
Sam Ekstrom and Tom Schreier react to Minnesota’s second straight blowout loss: -Did the Vikings overestimate their ability to avoid a rebuild? -What’s up with Cousins? -When […]
Vikings
Offseason Concerns About the Vikings Offense Were Justified
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 20, 2020
Skeptical Minnesota Vikings fans can confidently say, ‘I told you so’ after watching the team’s first two games, both of which would’ve resulted in 17-point defeats if […]
Vikings
Instant Reaction: Vikings Fall to 0-2 With Second Straight Debacle
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 20, 2020
For the first time in Mike Zimmer’s Vikings tenure, his team is 0-2. And the fashion in which the Vikings fell to that record only magnifies the […]
Vikings
Pass Interference is No Longer Reviewable, But Referees Called it Abundantly in Week 1
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 18, 2020
Considering teams had mere weeks to prepare, the quality of play in the NFL’s opening week looked fairly clean to the naked eye, potentially aided by an […]
Vikings
FOOTBALL MACHINE: More Vikings-Packers Reax, Colts Trivia & Preview, Dalvin Cook Contract Thoughts
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 16, 2020
Sam Ekstrom and Arif Hasan are joined by Locked On Vikings host Luke Braun to discuss Week 1 and look ahead to Week 2. Topics include: -Who […]
Vikings
After Sharpening Thielen’s Game, Xavier Rhodes Will Try to Lock Him Down
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 16, 2020
Xavier Rhodes ended his Minnesota career as an oft-pilloried scapegoat for their defensive woes. The “Rhodes Closed” credo that the corner made prominent in his prime was […]
Vikings
Second Look: How Aaron Rodgers Rendered the Vikings’ Safeties Ineffective in Week 1
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 15, 2020
The Minnesota Vikings chose to invest heavily at the safety position this offseason, extending the franchise tag to Anthony Harris at over $11 million while continuing to […]
Vikings
FOOTBALL MACHINE: Reaction to Packers’ Week 1 Dominance Over Vikings
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 14, 2020
Sam Ekstrom and Luke Inman react to Minnesota’s 43-34 Week 1 loss. -How weird was the viewing experience inside the stadium without fans? -What was the game’s […]
Vikings
A Punchless Vikings Pass Rush Let Aaron Rodgers Have His Way
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 13, 2020
Sunday’s Week 1 loss contained several firsts for head coach Mike Zimmer, and not positive ones. The prideful defensive mind had spoken confidently about his defense’s ability […]
Vikings
Packers Carve Up Vikings 43-34 in Opener
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 13, 2020
The Minnesota Vikings had few answers for the Green Bay Packers offense and fell feebly, 43-34. Mike Zimmer and Co. sounded optimistic all preseason about their younger […]
Vikings
Will Irv Smith Jr. Become an Elite Tight End? His Second Season May Tell Us
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 11, 2020
Just over a year ago, Irv Smith Jr. was “swimming,” according to then-offensive consultant Gary Kubiak. Smith, a second-round pick, was 20 years old and trying to […]
Vikings
Yannick Ngakoue is Learning to Rush the Vikings’ Way
By Sam Ekstrom - Sep 10, 2020
Mike Zimmer has certain words he often comes back to when describing his players. A sure-tackling linebacker might be a “thumper.” A quick tight end has some […]