OK. Enough is enough. I will watch this team again when it can demonstrate proper tackling technique and eliminate needless penalties.
I cannot fault J.J. McCarthy, but the waste of an expensive draft choice at the expense of your existing stable of skilled players is frustrating. That position takes years to perfect, and your skilled players will be slower and more fragile by the time J.J. "evolves."
And now a shot at the defense. I do not care about some faulty perception of a "great scheme." Players are required who can execute, and we have not had them at the line, linebackers, cornerbacks or safeties for more years than I care to remember. "Runs through defenders" is a phrase that makes me cringe, so this is my last note to you. That will make you happy because the organization does not like criticism.
— Rick Weitzel in Maple Grove, Minnesota
And, in contrast …
I'm somewhere between frustrated and still weirdly hopeful, so I wanted to share my thoughts.
This game felt winnable. Our run game improved. It didn't seem like we were outplayed — more like we kept getting in our own way.
J.J. McCarthy was OK. Not a disaster, not a breakout game — just a rookie having ups and downs. The two interceptions were tough, especially at moments when we needed clean, steady drives. But he also had stretches where he looked calm and made legit NFL throws.
I would give him a solid B- for this game.
What stood out the most to me were the dropped passes. It felt like every time we were close to shifting momentum or helping out the young QB, someone dropped a ball. Those missed opportunities added up.
Defensively, it was a mixed bag. Flores had some good moments and some breakdowns, but overall the unit didn't play poorly — just not well enough to make up for the offensive mistakes. Caleb Williams kept slipping away when we could have brought him down.
One bright spot: it was Harrison Smith's 200th game. That's insane longevity, and it would've been awesome to give him a win to match it. While we showed defensive energy, our offense didn't quite match it.
This loss definitely tightens the playoff path, but I wouldn't say the season's over. Clean up the turnovers, cut the drops, give J.J. some help, and they're not out of it.
My question is: after Week 11, should Vikings fans feel encouraged by the flashes of potential, or more concerned that these mistakes are becoming a pattern?
— Ellie in Minneapolis
There's been numerous times here where the play at non-QB spots on the roster would not have been conducive to helping any signal caller. There have been times when the Vikings have needed more consistent play out of the QB position.
It seemed like the Bears were able to leak through tackle attempts at multiple points for some sneaky yardage that helped keep them on the field longer.
As the emails in this Mailbag indicate, criticisms by fans have been included. Heck, there's even Mailbags after wins when people have complained about aspects within the game. I feel like it was less than a minute from that happening.
To Ellie's question, I think it's OK to be disappointed in some things and encouraged by some things.
The disappointing elements have put Minnesota at a precarious position for the playoffs; the encouraging elements, including a young QB being determined and finding a rhythm late, as well as a defense that continued to battle could bode well if they are executed with more consistency.