EAGAN, Minn. – There was optimism inside the Minnesota Vikings organization that things would be different coming off a Week 7 bye.
Coach Mike Zimmer had his staff do an extensive self-scout that spanned multiple weeks to remedy some of their biggest offensive issues. Players talked about not letting their opponents hang around, much like what had happened every week but the Seattle game.
That promise of a fresh start and the chance to “show the world that Vikings are not the ones to be counted out,” as wide receiver Justin Jefferson proclaimed, culminated in an embarrassing 20-16 prime-time loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.