'Fire KOC' Trends on X/Twitter After Vikings' Loss (Which is Absurd)

"Fire KOC" began trending on X/Twitter in the aftermath of the Vikings' 27-24 overtime loss against the Bengals on Saturday.

Which, quite frankly, is absurd.

It's totally fair and understandable to criticize Kevin O'Connell for some of his decisions, both in this game and throughout the season. Having Brandon Powell be the player to push Nick Mullens on the failed QB sneaks was odd. In previous games, O'Connell had been too conservative with second half leads. There have been other play-calling and personnel decisions — Ty Chandler pretty clearly should've been RB1 all season, regardless of his pass protection ability — that can be questioned.

But to call for O'Connell's job is a wild overreaction to a frustrating loss. He's 20-11 in the regular season, with three wins in the last six games without Kirk Cousins. No one in the history of the franchise got to 20 wins quicker than he did. He's still a great leader and motivator, as well as an innovative and effective offensive mind.

The Vikings didn't lose this game in Cincinnati because of O'Connell. They lost because Mullens threw two awful interceptions in the first half and because Brian Flores' usually-awesome defense fell apart in the second half and overtime.

Again, I'm not saying fans shouldn't criticize O'Connell. In general, he still needs to figure out why the Vikings can't ever seem to extend a lead and put a team away.

But his seat isn't even the slightest, tiniest bit hot right now — nor should it be.

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