Vikings Lose Close Game After Offense Comes Alive

We saw it flash in the first game against the Packer: the Vikings can make deadly strikes and score quickly when they are in sync. Today the Vikings came out and did what they have struggled to do in the first 2 games which is keep drives alive and score touchdowns. Justin Jefferson, the rookie wide receiver became a focal point and showed why he was a 1st round pick. He scored his first touchdown on a great pass from Kirk Cousins where he beat the corner back and then juked the safety and ran in for the score. He ended the game with 175 yards on 7 catches. Dalvin Cook tore it up with 181 yards on 22 carries and a 39 yard touchdown. Kyle Rudolph made an amazing one handed catch in the endzone that made it feel like the Vikings would pull this out. The offense had some miscues generated mainly by the offensive line not being able to stop the rush. Cousins threw an early 2nd half interception that the defense held to be only a field goal. His 2nd interception he heaved a hail Mary to Adam Thielen after the offensive line became inept against a 3 man rush, and a bad snap by Garrett Bradbury backed them up. Thielen almost caught it but let it pop up into the defensive player’s hands. Cook also had a fumble early on in the game.

The defense of the Vikings is what really lost them this game. Harrison Smith had an interception early in the game and Yannick Ngakoue had a strip sack. Eric Kendricks was his usual self. The problem is a few things: first there are too many injuries on the defense with Barr out for the season as well as other key backups and Danielle Hunter being injured. There is no big guy in the middle that the team has had for years with Linval Joseph and the guy they signed, Michael Pierce who should actually be an upgrade opted out due to Covid-19 and his asthma concerns. Finally the new corner backs are inexperienced and Mike Hughes and Cam Dantzler are injured. If a few of the players are in they might make a difference with the biggest being Hunter. The Titans are built to win just how they did: keep it close and grind it out to the win whether they’re leading or trailing only by a few. The Vikings defense can’t battle that unless they get a little luck. Holton Hill turns around a little earlier on the final drive and he might have scored a winning interception touchdown. But that didn’t happen. Until the players get better experience and improve or comeback from injury the team will continue to struggle.