The Vikings had the latest bye week possible in 2019, with the break coming in Week 12.
While there are some disadvantages there as far as injuries are concerned, there are advantages as far as identity is concerned.
“I think with 11 games, you got a pretty good sample size of who you are and what you’ve done and the tips that you might be giving and things like that, and if you can make it through those 11 ball games, I think it gave us another chance to sit back and reevaluate and get back to some fundamental things that kind of slip and get away when you’re game-planning for somebody each week and next week and on a short week,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday. “You’re concentrating so much on the other team you don’t concentrate on your own team quite as much, so I think it gave us an opportunity to do some of those things as well.”
As far as the fundamental things are concerned, the most obvious aspect of the game the Vikings need to improve upon is their pass coverage. Xavier Rhodes especially has struggled with his coverage, and if he does have solid coverage, chances are it was because he committed a penalty.
It’ll be interesting to see if we start to see some changes starting on Monday Night Football against the Seahawks.