After beating the Cardinals in comeback trend on Sunday, the Vikings have now rattled off two completely different five-game profitable streaks this season. They’re in a fantastic spot at 10-2 due to a resilient rally from their largest deficit of the 12 months. The offense began sluggish, however Sam Darnold was excellent down the stretch. Defensively, the survived a giant yardage day by holding the Cardinals to area objectives and coming away with key interceptions late within the recreation.
Let’s check out this week’s snap counts and high PFF grades to see what we are able to be taught.
Vikings offensive snap counts vs. Cardinals (out of 53)
* QB Sam Darnold: 53
* C Garrett Bradbury: 53
* LG Blake Brandel: 53
* RG Dalton Risner: 53
* RT Brian O’Neill: 53
* LT Cam Robinson: 53
* WR Justin Jefferson: 51
* WR Jordan Addison: 50
* TE T.J. Hockenson: 34
* WR Jalen Nailor: 31
* RB Aaron Jones: 28
* TE Johnny Mundt: 22
* RB Cam Akers: 16
* FB C.J. Ham: 15
* TE Nick Muse: 8
* RB Ty Chandler: 5
* WR Brandon Powell: 3
* WR Trent Sherfield: 2
The most notable factor right here was that Jones sat for a bit after fumbling twice on his first 4 touches of the sport, dropping the second. The Vikings caught with him, and he was the one who caught the game-winning landing move, however he is aware of these fumble points — he has 4 within the final three weeks — should be mounted shortly. Akers had an 18-yard run and a pair blitz pickups that stood out.
Mundt and Muse remained concerned with Josh Oliver out, however Oliver is predicted again subsequent week in opposition to the Falcons.
Top 5 PFF grades on offense (min. 20 snaps)
1. Jefferson — 78.3
2. Darnold — 77.6
3. Risner — 69.9
4. Robinson — 68.8
5. Mundt — 68.0
Akers would’ve made the listing with a number of extra snaps. Addison and Hockenson weren’t far off. This was a pleasant bounce-back recreation on the stat sheet for Jefferson (99 yards), who got here up with huge receptions a number of instances late within the recreation. Darnold was glorious once more, significantly in clutch time.
And give credit score to Risner and Robinson, the 2 Vikings’ offensive linemen who joined the beginning lineup midseason, for enjoying fairly nicely. Risner had an elite 88.0 pass-blocking grade, whereas Robinson battled by means of a foot damage to play what Kevin O’Connell described as his greatest recreation with Minnesota.
The lowest grade on offense, unsurprisingly, went to Jones.
Vikings’ defensive snap counts vs. Cardinals (out of 82)
* LB Blake Cashman: 82
* CB Byron Murphy Jr: 82
* S Camryn Bynum: 82
* S Harrison Smith: 75
* S Josh Metellus: 65
* OLB Andrew Van Ginkel: 65
* OLB Jonathan Greenard: 62
* CB Shaq Griffin: 55
* OLB Pat Jones II: 49
* DL Harrison Phillips: 42
* DL Jonathan Bullard: 40
* DL Jihad Ward: 39
* CB Stephon Gilmore: 35
* DL Jerry Tillery: 35
* CB Fabian Moreau: 31
* OLB Dallas Turner: 26
* DL Jalen Redmond: 15
* LB Kamu Grugier-Hill: 13
* S Theo Jackson: 5
* LB Jamin Davis: 4
That’s a fair 20 defenders who noticed motion for the Vikings on a day the place their protection spent a ton of time on the sphere. Gilmore’s hamstring damage, which may price him a recreation or two, meant Griffin was grew to become an every-down participant and Moreau was wanted in a major position. Smith additionally briefly left the sphere and was changed by Jackson, however he was in a position to return.
Interestingly, the Vikings used Cashman as their lone linebacker for nearly the complete recreation. They loaded up with defensive backs, linemen, and outdoors linebackers within the schematic matchup in opposition to the Cardinals’ offense. Without Ivan Pace Jr. as soon as once more, Grugier-Hill solely performed 13 snaps and Davis noticed 4 in his Vikings debut.
Top 5 PFF grades on protection (min. 20 snaps)
1. Griffin — 84.7
2. Cashman — 80.9
3. Gilmore —79.9
4. Van Ginkel — 76.5
5. Bullard — 73.8
Each of the highest 4 gamers on that listing have been signed in free company this previous offseason. Murphy, Phillips, and Bynum completed simply exterior of the highest 5. It additionally should be talked about that Redmond had a 91.1 grade on his 15 snaps, together with highly-impressive tackles for loss on two consecutive reps within the fourth quarter.
The gamers with the 2 lowest grades on 20+ snaps have been Moreau and Greenard, however the grade may be thrown out in Greenard’s case. He was sick all week, chased round Kyler Murray for over 60 snaps, and got here up with two large performs on the ultimate drive whereas exhausted. Greenard leads the NFL with 60 whole pressures on the season.
