Episode 245

Kickers aren't people

Hosts	Arif Hasan, James Pogatshnik
Guests	None
Type	Game Review

Norse Code Episode 245: Kickers aren't people was a game review episode analyzing the Minnesota Vikings' tie game against the Green Bay Packers.

Overview

The episode focused on the Vikings' controversial tie game at Lambeau Field, kicking struggles with Dan Bailey, and special teams issues under Mike Priefer. The hosts also discussed the defense's apparent regression and addressed numerous mailbag questions about the team's performance.

Segments

Opening: Promo and live show announcement
The Tie: Analysis of the Vikings-Packers tie game
Dan Bailey/Tom Johnson: Discussion of kicking issues and roster moves
Mailbag: Listener questions covering various team topics

Mailbag Questions

Eric Thompson - Why does Arif hate Kirk Cousins so much? ALL those people in his mentions can't be wrong.
Peter Teigland - Can we treat this one as a success? It feels like we got away with one at Lambeau. It's poetic justice that the Rodgersing-the-passer call is what allowed Cousins to keep the last drive alive. Also, if you haven't seen it, you should check out the documentary, "Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29," about a tie game in 1969.
Kyle Segall - It really feels like the defense has taken a step back from its height last year, despite on paper being even more stacked this year. What's the cause of that? Is it teams "figuring us out"? Did the Saints' half time adjustment expose us somehow?
Seth - What does it take for the Vikings to move on from Priefer? I feel like he's lost his touch
Matthew Krier - What the hell is Priefer doing? Between the kicking situation, the punt block for a TD, and seemingly trying everyone out at Kick and Punt Returns, it seems like our Special Teams is single-handedly trying to lose us games?
Kenneth Allen - Is Graham still good or do we really have a problem with TEs? Which Arif take is wrong?!
Kyle Slay-bee - With Coley gone and Robinson just arriving, does Zylstra become WR3 or is Tready still the guy? Also how many games until Dan Bailey loses us a game?
Alex Goble - It seems as though the Vikings are using a traditional approach to their RB rotation with Dalvin getting the lion's share of carries with Latavius simply being used to spell him. Should Minnesota utilize something closer to a 50/50 carry split during the first half of the game and then allow Dalvin to take advantage of a tired defense in the second half? Should the NFL in general be more open to non-traditional RB rotations?
Jakob Kost - How much of a liability is Mike McCarthy to the Green Bay Packers. Or isn't he at all?
Ian - Which #VikingsTwitter personality would you have the most faith in to hit from 35 for the win? And who would you have the least amount of faith in?
DonFromOhio - Does James really feel good about beating me in Fantasy Football the way he did?

Key Bits & Lore

Laquon Treadwell reference in discussion of WR depth chart
Don from Ohio mailbag question about fantasy football

Production Notes

Live show promotion for Bar None in NYC on Thursday October 18th

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