Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell on playoff loss: ‘We’re going to try all the things’
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell says they are going to take a look at all three phases of the crew this offseason as they give the impression of being to construct on this yr’s success that in the end resulted in heartbreak at residence versus the Giants within the wildcard spherical.
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Vikings had their doubters getting into the NFC Playoffs regardless of successful their first division title in 5 seasons and incomes their first residence playoff recreation for the reason that “Minneapolis Miracle.”
The Vikings got here into Wild Card Weekend 13-4, having gained 11 one-score video games however dealing with questions after three blowout losses. Their season resulted in a 31-24 loss to the New York Giants in entrance of a sellout crowd at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on Sunday, 22 days after beating those self same Giants 27-24 with the longest made discipline purpose in franchise historical past.
A crew that thought it may make a playoff run, probably to the Tremendous Bowl in Arizona, couldn’t reap the benefits of the chance so few get with a house playoff recreation.
Vikings QB on wildcard loss to Giants: ‘Extraordinarily disappointing’
Right here is Kirk Cousins’ full postgame response to the Minnesota Vikings’ season-ending playoff loss within the wildcard spherical to the Giants.
Vikings gamers react after 31-24 playoff loss to Giants
Vikings gamers Justin Jefferson, Chandon Sullivan, Jordan Hicks, Adam Thielen, C.J. Ham and Ed Ingram react from the locker room after Sunday’s 31-24 loss to the New York Giants within the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at U.S. Financial institution Stadium.
“I simply know our crew needed very, very badly, we had an ideal week of prep, and needed very badly to win this recreation. For it to be a one-score recreation and an opportunity to tie it up, it’s going to sting us for a very long time,” O’Connell stated after the loss. “This crew is as aggressive as any group that I’ve been round, every time they took the sphere with the expectation to win. These guys battled for 13 wins.”
Soccer is a crew recreation, however O’Connell can look squarely at his protection for Sunday’s loss, and he is likely to be on the seek for a brand new defensive play-caller subsequent season. Daniel Jones accounted for 379 complete yards and two touchdowns. Saquon Barkley had 109 complete yards and two scores. The Giants had 431 complete yards, ran for 142 and averaged 4.7 yards per carry.
Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell felt assured about his group going into Sunday. However they seemed lots like the identical one ranked thirty first in yards allowed, unable to constantly stress Jones, inconsistent in stopping the run and leaving receivers open everywhere in the discipline. The Giants had been 7-of-13 on third down, and 2-of-2 on fourth down. Modifications should be made going into subsequent season, however will considered one of them be Donatell?
“It’s just a little contemporary to be in that mode proper now. I feel Ed tried to do one of the best he may this yr throughout the board putting in the protection, the crew we manifested collectively and hoped it will come to life,” O’Connell stated. “He labored his absolute tail off. I’m going to have a look at each facet how we are able to enhance. These issues are for a special time.”
Kirk Cousins was 31-of-39 passing for 273 yards and three complete touchdowns. Two of them had been by the air to Ok.J. Osborn and Irv Smith Jr. T.J. Hockenson led the Vikings with 10 catches for 129 yards. Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 47 yards, however had only one catch within the second half.
With the Vikings down 31-24 and dealing with a 4th-and-8 with no timeouts left, Cousins needed to hit Jefferson for a primary down, however didn’t just like the throw due to the Giants’ protection. Slightly than danger a downfield shot, Cousins checked all the way down to Hockenson in need of the sticks earlier than he may get sacked. It was a season-ending turnover on downs, because the Giants ran the clock out.
“It hurts. I’m in all probability lacking one, however that is in all probability the hardest loss I’ve had in my profession. So it hurts,” Cousins stated.
Why is it his hardest loss? He helped lead the Vikings to 13 wins for simply the third time in franchise historical past, and so they had larger targets in retailer.
“The entire apparent causes. 13 wins, I haven’t actually sniffed that earlier than and simply the truth that the group, the free brokers, no assure they’re going to be again. It’s arduous to stroll off the sphere, you need all of them again and also you simply don’t know,” Cousins stated.
Osborn’s landing obtained the Vikings inside 17-14 on the half. The Giants marched down the sphere to open the third quarter and obtained the result in 24-14 on Jones’ landing to Daniel Bellinger. The Vikings obtained inside 24-21 on Smith’s landing, and appeared poised to take the lead within the fourth quarter.
Cousins obtained a fourth down conversion on a sneak, but it surely was wiped away on a Christian Darrisaw false begin. They settled for a game-tying Greg Joseph discipline purpose. The Giants had the ultimate reply with Barkley’s 2-yard go-ahead landing with 7:47 to play.
U.S. Financial institution Stadium was as loud because it’s ever been Sunday. Brian O’Neill sounded the gjallarhorn and led the pregame Skol chant. Ludacris held a halftime live performance. Adrian Peterson was on the town, and Kirko Chains Jr. was on the recreation. It wasn’t sufficient for a Vikings victory.
It’s a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching end for a crew that gained 13 common season video games and gained its first division title in 5 years. Their season ends with a 13-5 report in simply their second residence lack of the season, and their first one-score loss. The Giants advance and head east to tackle the No. 1 seed Philadelphia Eagles within the NFC Divisional Playoffs subsequent weekend.
“It’s simply devastating to lose any such approach. It’s a troublesome state of affairs, however we’re all leaning on one another and obtained one another’s again,” Jefferson stated.