The Vikings won their second straight game in a 34-28 overtime victory game against the Carolina Panthers, which moves them to a 3-3 record in the 2021 regular season. These lists are in no particular order as well just listed.
5 Winners of Sundays game1. Kirk Cousins:
You couldn't ask more from Kirk Cousins in this game and quite honestly this season. He led the team on a drive that should have won them the game with a 47-yard field goal. Kirk got his hands on the ball first in overtime and was lights out...ending the drive in a 27-yard walk-off touchdown strike to K.J. Osborn. Kirk completed 33 of his 48 passes for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also was NOT sacked one time, it is almost like if you give Kirk time to throw he's an ELITE quarterback. Overall he had a very impressive game and you have to give him the credit he deserves.
2. Dalvin Cook:
Dalvin Cook is indeed back ladies and gentlemen. Cook paved the way in the running game rushing for a season-high of 140 yards on 29 carries. He averaged 4.8 and had 1 touchdown on the day. Cook showed that he is the difference-maker in this offense and irreplaceable.
3. Christian Darrisaw:
Finally, after a long wait, Christian Darrisaw is healthy and the Left Tackle for the Minnesota Vikings. Darrisaw starts off his NFL career with the highest pass-blocking efficiency among all tackles in this year's draft class with 99.2% efficiency. He allowed only 1 pressure on 89 snaps as well as 0 sacks. The young LT played 2 very good Panthers Edge Rushers and earned a pass-blocking grade of 70.0, which led the team.
4. K.J. Osborn:
It is truly insane that K.J. Osborn has put up the production he has alongside Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. K.J. caught 6 of his 7 targets for 78 yards and 1 touchdown. Osborn not only put up these very solid numbers, but he also caught the game-winning, walk-off, touchdown for 27 yards. Osborn has been a third-down threat and now showcased even more of what he can do in the clutch.
5. Adam Thielen:
It is always good to see a big day from Adam Thielen. I believe he is very underutilized in this offense so it was great to see him go for 11 receptions on 13 targets, 126 yards, and 1 touchdown. Thielen now has 37 receptions, 393 yards, and 5 touchdowns in 6 games.
HM: Patrick Peterson, Vikings OLine, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter, Harrison Smith and Brashaud Breeland.
Losers of Sundays game1. Greg Joseph:
It is hard to determine what the Vikings should do at the Kicker position. On one hand, Greg Joseph has been very good and even made a game-winning field goal for the Vikings last week against the Lions. On the other hand, he has now missed 2 game-winning field goals, one resulting in a loss. Joseph has been very inconsistent but I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say he has very little NFL experience and has shown some very good and promising flashes.
2. Mike Zimmer:
It wasn't a terrible game for Zimmer but you can't give up 11 points late in the 4th quarter and expect to win every time. The Vikings need to stop being put in these nail-biting situations every single week...for the sake of the season and Vikings fan's sanity.
3. Special Teams:
This special teams unit started very well and I am not necessarily sure what has happened. Kicking has not been great, punts have been solid at times and Punt returns were good up until Dede dropped one on Sunday but was thankfully recovered. The special teams missed 2 kicks, got blocked on a punt for a touchdown, and received 2 penalties on punt returns. The Vikings dropped from 15th to 29th in special teams DVOA.
Commentaires