Jeff Diamond’s Vikings & NFL Insider · Talk North Podcast Network

On last offseason QB decisions

·27 min·2 clips

Miles Price's punt misplay in Green Bay gave the Packers a game-changing recovery on the Vikings' five-yard line.

This episode analyzes the Minnesota Vikings' current struggles and reflects on their offseason quarterback decisions. Host Jeff Diamond, a Vikings and NFL insider, examines the team's four-and-seven record following a loss to the Green Bay Packers. A central storyline is quarterback J.J. McCarthy entering concussion protocol after taking five sacks and ten quarterback hits against the Packers. The Vikings' special teams errors, including Miles Price misplaying a pivotal punt in Green Bay, have contributed to a three-game losing streak. The team's turnover ratio has plummeted to minus-12, the second-worst in the league, with only nine takeaways after leading the league with 33 last year. Sam Darnold, last year's Vikings starter now with the eight-and-three Seattle Seahawks, is having an excellent season with a 106.2 passer rating despite a four-interception game against the Los Angeles Rams. The host suggests that with hindsight, the Vikings might have pursued a different veteran quarterback, specifically mentioning Daniel Jones, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts for $14 million. One surprising claim is that the Vikings could potentially have three more wins and a seven-and-four record if they had allocated money from other signings toward a veteran quarterback. The host notes that McCarthy has thrown an interception in all six of his starts, totaling ten for the season. Seattle's Jackson Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 1,313 receiving yards, presenting a major challenge for the Vikings' secondary, which ranks seventh against the pass. The episode details how the Vikings ran for 86 yards in the first half against Green Bay but only seven yards in the second half as they abandoned the running game. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores stated he will blitz Sam Darnold heavily, which aligns with the Vikings being the most blitz-heavy team in the league. The host's prediction is a 24-20 Seahawks victory, contingent on the Vikings losing the turnover battle. The tone is analytical and insider-focused, blending immediate game breakdowns with roster-building commentary. The style is conversational, featuring sponsor reads and a direct address to the listener as a knowledgeable fan. This episode would appeal to dedicated Minnesota Vikings fans seeking a detailed critique of the team's performance and quarterback strategy. Listeners looking for a broader NFL discussion or who are averse to extensive local sponsor advertisements might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A practical Vikings quarterback and Seattle preview with an insider edge.

The piece keeps its focus where it should: on the Vikings' quarterback picture, the Seattle matchup, and the basic football questions around running it, stopping the run, getting pressure, and winning the turnover battle.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If you want the Vikings QB debate tied to Seattle, start here.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Jeff Diamond’s Vikings & NFL Insider