vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Closer look at third-quarter woes within the division
Posted by: Mark Craig under Vikings, Bears, Lions, NFC, Packers Updated: November 18, 2011 - 7:54 AM
Thought of the day: You know you're old when you're not addicted to Twitter and the last vampire movie you can remember watching had The Three Stooges in it ...
It's probably too early to link to the gory details that can be found in the Vikings' league-worst 91-27 scoring disadvantage in the third quarter, but, what the heck, have some of this with your morning Starbucks.
One can argue all day about whether it's a lack of halftime coaching adjustments, a lack of execution or a lack of overall talent that can take the coaching and execute well.
Frankly, the numbers are so bad, it's really a combination of all three.
Opponents have scored on 17 of 24 third-quarter possessions (70.1 percent) while the Vikings have scored on just 5 of 21 possessions (23.8).
And, finally, here are the third-quarter drives in the four losses within the division this season:
Vikings: punt, punt, punt, TD, punt, punt, punt, interception, interception, punt, TD, downs. Summary: two scores in 12 drives.
Lions, Bears and Packers (oh my): TD, FG, fumble, TD, FG, TD, TD, FG, FG, TD, TD. Summary: 10 scores in 11 drives.
We'll let you judge what's the main reason behind these numbers.
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