The Vikings gained their sixth consecutive sport on Sunday, and so they lastly did it in dominant vogue. Their 42-21 win over Kirk Cousins and the Falcons marked their first victory by greater than ten factors since Week 3 towards the Texans. It was a tie sport after three quarters, however the Vikings used a 21-0 fourth quarter to bury Atlanta behind huge performances from Sam Darnold, Jordan Addison, and Justin Jefferson.
Let’s check out this week’s snap counts and PFF grades to see what we are able to study.
Vikings offensive snap counts vs. Falcons (out of 60)
* C Garrett Bradbury: 60
* LG Blake Brandel: 60
* RG Dalton Risner: 60
* RT Brian O’Neill: 60
* LT Cam Robinson: 60
* QB Sam Darnold: 58
* WR Justin Jefferson: 57
* WR Jordan Addison: 45
* RB Aaron Jones: 38
* TE T.J. Hockenson: 37
* TE Josh Oliver: 30
* WR Jalen Nailor: 24
* RB Cam Akers: 19
* FB C.J. Ham: 19
* TE Johnny Mundt: 11
* WR Brandon Powell: 10
* WR Trent Sherfield: 10
* QB Nick Mullens: 2
There is not a lot to interrupt down right here. Oliver returned to motion after lacking two video games and performed half the snaps. He had been out-snapping Hockenson earlier than getting harm, however Hock is now absolutely wholesome after getting back from his ACL damage over a month in the past. Mundt’s snap share predictably dropped. Mullens got here into the sport to kneel the ball twice on the very finish.
Top 5 PFF grades on offense (min. 20 snaps)
1. Darnold — 90.9
2. Addison — 90.1
3. Jefferson — 89.7
4. Jones — 80.8
5. Oliver — 74.0
Risner, O’Neill, Hockenson, and Robinson have been within the 60s, which is above-average. This was really an all-time kind of sport from a quarterback and his high two receivers — the likes of which we’d not see once more for a protracted, very long time. Darnold was sensible, incomes a 157.9 passer ranking whereas changing into the primary Vikings quarterback in 20 years to throw 5 landing passes in a sport. Addison and Jefferson caught all 5 and mixed for 265 receiving yards. It was overshadowed, however Jones additionally had a strong day with 84 yards and a TD on 15 touches.
Nailor had the offense’s lowest grade, whereas Brandel and Bradbury weren’t nice on the O-line.
Vikings defensive snap counts vs. Falcons (out of 74)
* S Camryn Bynum: 71
* S Josh Metellus: 67
* LB Blake Cashman: 63
* CB Byron Murphy Jr: 63
* S Harrison Smith: 63
* OLB Jonathan Greenard: 60
* CB Shaq Griffin: 57
* OLB Andrew Van Ginkel: 56
* DL Jalen Redmond: 39
* DL Harrison Phillips: 39
* CB Fabian Moreau: 39
* DL Jihad Ward: 31
* DL Jonathan Bullard: 29
* OLB Gabriel Murphy: 28
* OLB Dallas Turner: 26
* DL Jerry Tillery: 19
* LB Kamu Grugier-Hill: 17
* LB Brian Asamoah II: 11
* S Theo Jackson: 11
* LB Jamin Davis: 9
* OLB Bo Richter: 6
* CB Dwight McGlothern: 6
* S Jay Ward: 4
Redmond, who had a breakout sport final week, ascended to new ranges on this sport. He bought his first profession begin, performed almost 40 snaps, and recorded two tackles for loss and two batted passes. The former UFL star now has 4 TFLs within the final two video games. He’s surged previous Tillery on the depth chart.
Gabriel Murphy made his NFL debut on this sport and out-snapped Turner, the Vikings’ first-round choose, although each performed effectively. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see what the enjoying time appears to be like like between these two rookies if Pat Jones II (knee) returns subsequent week.
With no Stephon Gilmore, Moreau stepped into a bigger function, as anticipated. McGlothern additionally bought to see the sector on protection in his NFL debut. The Vikings’ large late lead allowed them to empty the bench on the Falcons’ ultimate collection. Davis, it needs to be famous, had the group’s solely sack of the sport effectively earlier than rubbish time. The newcomer made an affect in Ivan Pace Jr.’s absence.
Top 5 PFF grades on protection (min. 20 snaps)
1. B. Murphy — 76.4
2. Moreau — 75.1
3. Smith —74.7
4. Redmond — 69.7
5. G. Murphy — 69.5
The veteran Murphy recorded his sixth interception of the season with a one-handed snag within the second half, placing him one again of the NFL lead in that division. The rookie Murphy impressed in his first sport, getting a sort out and a QB hit.
The three lowest grades went to Phillips, Bullard, and Jihad Ward, which is a compelling case for extra Redmond snaps subsequent week. Four of the Vikings’ greatest gamers — Greenard, Cashman, Metellus, and Van Ginkel — all earned sub-60 grades (regardless of Metellus having an interception). Greenard was held and not using a stress for simply the second time all yr.
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