Said Smith, a 13-year veteran: “There are no homecoming games out here. It doesn’t matter what people’s records are. Everybody has Pro Bowlers. There are no easy buckets.”
The tone and message inside the locker room reflected a mature understanding of how to process a less-than-dazzling win. The Vikings were happy with the win but also realize the bar is much higher than what they delivered.
“I know that it would probably be really fun for us to just steamroll the NFL every single week,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “It’s just not the way it’s going to go, which also, in my opinion, provides a lot of opportunity to grow and get better … and improve, and just constantly chase that progression, knowing that we’re a good football team.”
How good might that be? O’Connell wasn’t biting.
“I’m old enough to remember when nobody thought we were very good,” O’Connell said, sarcastically. “So, the same way that I answered that question, I’ll answer it now: We just got to continue to get better and prove it.”
The main takeaway from Sunday was a bounce-back performance by Sam Darnold, who showed a steady hand despite facing constant pressure.