The Minnesota Vikings came into their game this week against the Carolina Panthers as underdogs, despite their 2-0 record. Almost every analyst picked the Panthers to win their 15th straight at home. Though most of the first half, it appeared Cam Newton and the Panthers would cruise to an easy victory, leading 10-2 and shutting out the offense. The Vikings’ only points came from a sack in the end zone by Danielle Hunter, resulting in a safety.
Then, with just over three and a half minutes left in the first half, with Andy Lee punting out of his own end zone, Marcus Sherels returned the punt 54 yards for a score, closing the Panthers’ lead to 10-8 at the half after Blair Walsh missed an extra point.
In the second half, the team came to play. The defense ended with eight sacks (including three by Everson Griffen), a safety, three interceptions and a fumble recovery, all while allowing only 10 points to Carolina. Aided by a long, well orchestrated drive by Sam Bradford, Kyle Rudoph, Stefon Diggs, and the Offensive Line in the third quarter, the Vikings scored their only offensive touchdown of the game, going on to win 22-10 in an upset.
Minnesota Vikings Week Three Takeaways
A Solution to the Offensive Line Woes
Throughout the first half, the Vikings Offensive Line looked as bad as it had through the first two games. Then Alex Boone, the starting Left Guard went down with a hip injury. Watching Jeremiah Sirles jogging out onto the field, it seemed what had been bad could only get worse. Instead, Sirles and second year man TJ Clemmings, starting in the place of injured Matt Kalil, manned the left side of the line very well, working together to keep Bradford clean throughout much of the second half. Even if Boone is able to come back healthy next week, the team needs to find a place for Sirles on the starting five.
The Best Defense in the National Football League
If the Vikings are not in the conversation for the best defense in the NFL, something is seriously wrong with the conversation. Through three games this year, the team is allowing just 13.3 points per game. Last year, the historically great Denver Broncos defense allowed just over 18 points per contest. The team has also amassed a +8 turnover margin, their only giveaway coming on a fumble by the defense following another turnover they produced. The team also has generated two defensive touchdowns and a safety. Today, Everson Griffen, Brian Robison, Danielle Hunter, Linval Joseph, Anthony Barr, and Harrison Smith all sacked Cam Newton, bringing the team’s total up to 15 on the year. Griffen could have had a fourth sack, if Newton had not thrown the ball up for Defensive Tackle Tom Johnson to intercept. 38 year old Terrance Newman and second year man Trae Waynes also both contributed interceptions from the corner position. Backup corner and punt returner Marcus Sherels almost came down with a pick of his own. In his first game back, Xavier Rhodes helped the secondary to completely shut down Wide Reciever Kelvin Benjamin, who ended the day with zero receptions and two penalties on one target. It was a truly suffocating performance by a defense that is now clearly the best in the league against an offense that leads the league in scoring going back to the beginning of last season.
Injury Bug Strikes Again
This team can not catch a break. The team holds a perfect 3-0 record, a dominating defense and an offense that has looked explosive at times this season, and yet it seems every day, another key player is ruled out for the year. Not a single offensive lineman who finished today’s game was the clear starter coming into the season. Matt Kalil has been replaced by TJ Clemmings. Boone by Jeremiah Sirles. John Sullivan was cut in favor of Joe Berger. Michael Harris, who has been out all season with an undisclosed ailment, was unable to compete with Brandon Fusco. Phil Loadholt retired before the preseason, handing the Right Tackle job to Andre Smith. Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson are on injured reserve. Sharrif Floyd is out up to six weeks following knee surgery. Today, players like rookie Tight End David Morgan, starting Middle Linebacker Eric Kendricks, and the aforementioned Boone all left the game with injuries of various severity. Only Kendricks returned to play. Frankly, as phenomenal as this team has looked at times so far this year, one questions how much longer they can hold out with so many key players missing.
Rudolph Earning his Keep
In the past two games, since Sam Bradford has taken the helm at Quarterback, Kyle Rudolph has amassed 10 catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including seven catches for 70 yards and a 15 yard score on 10 targets against the Panthers. This averages out to five catches for 50.1 yards and a touchdown per game. Over his career he has averaged 2.9 catches for 29.5 yards and 0.35 touchdowns per game. Though it is a small sample size, so far the Sam Bradford era has been kind to number 82.
Conclusion
The offense was rarely pretty, Blair Walsh missed again, the injuries keep mounting, and yet the Vikings keep winning on the strength of their Head Coach Mike Zimmer and an absolutely dominate defense. The Vikings snapped the Panthers’ home game winning streak, proving all the pundits wrong for a second week in a row. If anyone deserves to win Coach of the Year after just three games, it’s Mike Zimmer. Don’t look now, but the Vikings are on top of the NFC, and show no signs of letting up anytime soon. Next week they play the New York Giants, who are coming of their first lost at the hands of Washington, in a Monday Night Game in US Bank Stadium. While it is unwise to underestimate any opponent, the team should have plenty of confidence going into a home game against an inferior opponent.
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