The score was certainly a positive for the Vikings but the game was a little ragged. The Vikings were only leading 13-5 late in the third quarter when breaks really started falling their way. That 13-5 score became 27-5 pretty quickly.
The game started great for the Vikings on both sides of the ball. The defense forced a four-and-out on the Chiefs initial possession. The Vikings offense got the ball on the 3-yard line and started on a 97-yard drive. This drive was essentially accomplished with two plays. A check down pass to Matt Asiata that he took for a 31-yard gain. Three players later Matt Cassel hit Cordarrelle Patterson for a 53-yard touchdown. The offense didn't really do a whole lot after that.
The Vikings first team defense did well. They gave up some yards but only a field goal. The first two Chiefs drives ended in punts after four and three plays respectively. On the third Chiefs possession, quarterback Alex Smith finally got his team moving. Smith can be a very efficient quarterback. The drive was greatly aided by a 42-yard pass interference penalty on Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson. I don't think that Robinson played much, if at all, after, this penalty. He had been nursing a hamstring injury. He's also in grave danger of not making the team. The former third-round pick and very fast corner seems to be spending some time in head coach Mike Zimmer's doghouse. Two players after the penalty, Vikings corner Captain Munnerlyn intercepted a Smith pass in the endzone. The only mistake that Munnerlyn made on the play was deciding to bring the ball out of the endzone. He's returned four interceptions for touchdowns in his career so he can make thing happen with the ball in his hands.
Instead of having the ball at the 20, the Vikings had the ball at the 6-yard line after Munnerlyn's interception and return. On the second play, Chiefs defensive tackle Jaye Howard blew right by rookie tackle Andrew Wentworth and knocked the ball out of Cassel's hand out of the endzone for a safety. Wentworth's presence in the game is significant as it meant that starter Phil Loadholt wasn't. At some point Loadholt injured his leg. He returned briefly to the game so it's not believed to be serious but he's getting an MRI to be sure.
Following the free kick, Smith again had his team moving. The Vikings defense yielded until linebacker Chad Greeenway intercepted Smith at the 8-yard line. He returned the interception 28 yards to the 36-yard line.
The Chiefs fifth possession was the only possession that ended in points for their starters against the Vikings starters. A 77-yard drive that ended in a 21-yard field goal.
The Vikings defense was last in the league in points against last year. That will change this year. It certainly can't get any worse. They might give up some yardage but they'll tough to score against. Zimmmer's defenses in Cincinnati were known for such traits and it should carry over to Minnesota. Last night, five sacks, three interceptions, and three points scored before a late TD. The line is set and should be a strength with ends Everson Griffen and Brian Robison and tackles Sharrif Floyd and Linval Joseph as the starters. Corey Wootton, Scott Crichton, Tom Johnson, Shamar Stephen, and Fred Evans provide nice depth. Chad Greenway and first round-pick Anthony Barr are set at linebacker. Middle linebacker is between veteran Jasper Brinkley and third-year Audie Cole. That battle can go either way. Barr should be a star. He really made only one play of note last night but he was always around the ball. Once he trusts what he sees and can simply play and react, he should be outstanding. Very few players, let alone linebackers, can run and move like Barr. The one unsettled spot in the secondary is the safety spot opposite Harrison Smith. Robert Blanton and Chris Crocker played with the starters last night. The guess here is that the youth and range of Blanton wins out over the veteran leadership and presence of Crocker.
It really is a beautiful site to see a Vikings defense that isn't in a Cover-2. That had grown so stale. So sad. We might even see some turnovers. Interceptions by corners?!? No way! Beautifully timed blitzes. That's inconceivable.
The position battle that draws the most attention in Minnesota is that between the quarterbacks Matt Cassel and rookie Teddy Bridgewater. Cassel made least impressive statement of the preseason. 9 of 17 for 152 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His best throw was a deep sideline pass to Jennings. Perfectly placed with perfect touch. Jennings didn't get his feet and probably should have. Bridgewater looked but he had some unbelievably fine luck. His first two possessions started inside the Chiefs 10-yard line. Both possessions ended with short touchdown throws to tight end Allen Reisner. Of Bridgewater's four touchdown throws of the preseason, three have gone to Reisner. A devastating combination. Cassel will likely get the nod but Bridgewater is ready.
Vikings left tackle Matt Kalil had some problems with Tamba Hali. That can be expected as Hali is one of the best pass rushers in the league. Kalil has to get these issues sealed up. Top pass rushers Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, and now Jared Allen will be going against him within the division this year. He stopped Hali cold on a few plays. He's got to do that on all of the plays. He's got the talent to do it.
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