Vikes Views: Nincompoop of the Week – Packers @ Vikings

The taste of victory is sweet, especially against the Packers. The Minnesota Vikings dominated the 2nd half after a questionable decision to pull points off the board by Matt LeFleur. The Packers continued their choking ways from last season and the Vikings cruised to victory.

Why is LaFleur a Nincompoop? Going for it on 4th and 1 to extend the lead isn’t the worst decision in a vacuum. It’s more the continuation of the calamidy of errors that seems to happen to LaFleur’s teams in the 4th quarter. He’s unable to respond when the pressure is on. The Packers has no response to the most predictable thing in the NFL, Brian Flores blitzing. LaFleur’s team looked like a D-III school facing an SEC team in the 4th quarter.

Why is Bullard a Nincompoop? Bullard is going to be the face of the entire Packers defensive penalty situation. There is a point to playing physical, within the rules of the game. The Vikings defense is proof it can be done and done very well. The roughing the passer penalty was questionable, but the Packers earned the penalties. It was a large part of why the team lost the game. Undisciplined football lead to their collapse and that is on LaFleur and the players themselves.

Why is Jackson a Nincompoop? Christian Watson‘s 81-yard touchdown wasn’t just a bad play. It was the kind of mistake that normally cost your team the game. Jackson took a poor angle, misplayed the ball, and gave Green Bay a free touchdown. With Harrison Smith nearing the end of his career, every snap is an audition. Sunday wasn’t a passing grade.

Why is Murray a Nincompoop? First, I wish him a speedy recovery. The hit was cheap and I don’t want to see anybody get hurt. That said, his first official pass as a Viking was pure chaos. Murray chucked the ball up like it was 4th and 8 against the Giants in the playoffs. Instead, it was second-and-eleven in the first quarter of Week 1. After nine NFL seasons, you’d hope for a little more discretion than that.