Zimmer facing collapse that ruined Tice's tenure

From The Vikings are 5-4, and have lost consecutive winnable games against teams with which they will be competing for the playoffs.

November 13, 2016 at 8:55PM
Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis (85) heads toward the end zone for a touchdown dragging Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr (55) with him during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis (85) heads toward the end zone for a touchdown dragging Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr (55) with him during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Brian Stensaas — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Vikings lost their fourth straight game because of a faulty kicker, a diminished pass rush, the lack of a running game and a struggling offensive line. The longer the streak becomes the more evident its causes.

Blair Walsh's missed extra point didn't play a major role in the final outcome but provided another reminder of his struggles, and the Vikings came back from a 14-0 deficit only to lose, 26-20, thier final drive coming apart with a sack deep in Washington territory.

Jake Long left the field late in the game with an apparent leg injury, leaving the Vikings' line further decimated.

The Vikings are 5-4, and have lost consecutive winnable games against teams with which they will be competing for the playoffs.

For the first time in Mike Zimmer's tenure, his program does not look to be on the rise. Instead ,he is facing the kind of midseason collapse that ruined Mike Tice's tenure.

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about the writer

about the writer

Jim Souhan

Columnist

Jim Souhan is a sports columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune. He has worked at the paper since 1990, previously covering the Twins and Vikings.

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