Tuesday Q and A with the Sports Ramble staff
The Vikings lost to the Detroit Lions 22-16 in overtime on Sunday. Blair Walsh, who missed an extra point and had a field goal blocked, has been blamed for the loss. Do you agree?
Erik Ritland (Sports Ramble founder and podcast host): Would have the Vikings won had Walsh made those attempts? Yes. Does that mean it's his fault that they lost? No.
If your offense has to punt when they have first and ten after a turnover at the opponents 19 yard line, you don't deserve to win a game, and your offense has to take responsibility.
If your defense allows a team to march down the field and get into field goal range in under 30 seconds when they have no time outs, then you don't deserve to win a game, and your defense has to take responsibility.
Vikings fans are being over-emotional and it's blurring their reason, as it did when they used Walsh as a scapegoat for their loss to Seattle in the playoffs last year. It was the first game ever in which a player who scored all the points for their team got blamed for the loss.
Sad, really.
That being said, I warned the Vikings and their fans about this. I suggested getting rid of him when he was first struggling. Now there aren't any kickers better than him available, so he'll continue to be a liability.
What do you make of the Packers loss to the Colts 31-26?
Erik: Because they aren't a very good team.
Any other games catch your eye?
Erik: The Raiders handled the Broncos easily, proving that they are the team to beat in the AFC after the Patriots.
The Vikings lost to the Detroit Lions 22-16 in overtime on Sunday. Blair Walsh, who missed an extra point and had a field goal blocked, has been blamed for the loss. Do you agree?
Erik Ritland (Sports Ramble founder and podcast host): Would have the Vikings won had Walsh made those attempts? Yes. Does that mean it's his fault that they lost? No.
If your offense has to punt when they have first and ten after a turnover at the opponents 19 yard line, you don't deserve to win a game, and your offense has to take responsibility.
If your defense allows a team to march down the field and get into field goal range in under 30 seconds when they have no time outs, then you don't deserve to win a game, and your defense has to take responsibility.
Vikings fans are being over-emotional and it's blurring their reason, as it did when they used Walsh as a scapegoat for their loss to Seattle in the playoffs last year. It was the first game ever in which a player who scored all the points for their team got blamed for the loss.
Sad, really.
That being said, I warned the Vikings and their fans about this. I suggested getting rid of him when he was first struggling. Now there aren't any kickers better than him available, so he'll continue to be a liability.
What do you make of the Packers loss to the Colts 31-26?
Erik: Because they aren't a very good team.
Any other games catch your eye?
Erik: The Raiders handled the Broncos easily, proving that they are the team to beat in the AFC after the Patriots.
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