Jefferson’s Dominance, Vikings Playoff Chances &…

Why do we have such a hard time containing on third-and long? In this game against the Packers, we had third-and-12 and gave up a [39]-yard pass. Had third-and-8 and gave up another first down. Our defense has to be on the bottom of the league or close on giving up first downs on these plays.

Bud’s email came through during the game, and I don’t blame his frustration.

Early on, the Vikings third-down defense seemed to be clicking against Green Bay.

Armon Watts had a strip-sack on Rodgers (even if the QB did recover), and the Packers were stifled on two of their first three third-down attempts.

And even though the 39-yard completion on third-and-12 that was a bit deflating, the Vikings stopped the Packers on the next two third-down attempts. At this point, Green Bay was 2-for-6 on third downs.

After that? Nothing went right for Minnesota’s defense on the down as Green Bay converted its final five attempts.

The plays had the following results:

Third-and-8: 15-yard completion

Third-and-5: 25-yard touchdown pass

Third-and-6: 13-yard completion

Third-and-6: 18-yard touchdown pass

Not great, and Zimmer emphasized that point after the game.

“We really couldn’t get them stopped in the second half,” Zimmer said.

Zimmer is right, and he also made sure to note the opposing quarterback is one of the game’s greats and pulls in a hefty salary because of his great skill set.

Overall, the Vikings will always be relatively strong on third downs as long as Zimmer is scheming up creative ways to succeed.

But the performance in the final 35 minutes or so of Sunday’s game wasn’t anything to write home about.