Week 6 Thoughts

The Minnesota Vikings 16-10 win over the Kansas City Chiefs was the only game that I saw yesterday. So these Week 6 Thoughts are more accurately Vikings Week 6 Thoughts.

The end of this game was far more tense than it should've been. The Chiefs had two shots in the last five minutes for game-winning touchdown drives. A fumble ended the first just inside of the Vikings side of the field. A fourth down stop ended the second and sealed the game.

It felt right that the Vikings defense should seal the game as they were the difference in the game. They kept the Chiefs off of the scoreboard until the 4th quarter. If not for a single defensive breakdown that allowed the Chiefs lone touchdown there would've been no tense moments at the end. That lone breakdown allowed Albert Wilson to take an Alex Smith screen pass 42 yards for a touchdown. That made the score 13-10 Vikings with just under nine minutes to play.

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater tossed a 4-yard touchdown to tight end Kyle Rudolph in the second quarter. That put the Vikings up 10-0. It was their lone touchdown in three golden scoring opportunities in the first half. They had goal-to-go on two prior occasions. Three points is all they could score on those occasions. Scoring opportunities such as those have to be converted into touchdowns. Teams that win much more than they lose convert those into touchdowns. The Vikings didn't yesterday and is probably the most clear indication that while headed in the right direction they have a ways to go.

One of the reasons for the Vikings touchdown-scoring issues was the excellent job that the Chiefs defense did on Adrian Peterson. He was held to 60 yards on 26 carries. A not so terrific 2.31 yards per carry. He was routinely hit before he arrived at the line of scrimmage. And there was routinely a bunch of Chiefs involved. The inability of Peterson to dent the defense was a big reason for the Vikings scoring woes inside the Chiefs 10-yard line.

This was the Vikings first win after the bye week since 2009. That had been the longest such streak in the league. Now it's over and hopefully it's the start of a much more positive streak.

The Vikings have quickly become one of the younger teams in the league. This game highlighted some of their younger youngsters.

Rookie middle linebacker Eric Kendricks made his first start of the season. He's ready and should be a Vikings defensive playmaker and leader for a very long time.

Rookie defensive end Danielle Hunter made his first start in place of Everson Griffen who was out with an illness. Hunter might not be quite ready. He entered the league quite raw as a prospect and younger than most at 20. The talent is certainly there and it showed. He was in on a sack and forced the fumble that ended the first of the Chiefs game-winning scoring opportunities.

Then there's rookie receiver Stefon Diggs. He looks like he's well on his way to being an integral part of the offense. This was only the second game in which he's been active. It was also the second game in which he made an impact. He had 87 yards receiving against the Broncos two weeks ago. He was even better yesterday. 7 catches for 129 yards. He already looks like Bridgewater's go-to receiver. It goes without saying that only injury or illness will make Diggs inactive again.

Rookie linebacker Edmond Robinson was also active for the first time. Like Hunter, he entered the league as a raw, physically gifted player. For the foreseeable future his role will be on special teams.

Rookie right tackle T. J. Clemmings has been starting all season. His play is a work in progress but the talent is there.

The Vikings have been getting production from nearly every member of their 2015 draft class. Kendricks and Diggs have been immediate standouts. Top pick Trae Waynes has yet to see significant snaps at corner but has been solid on special teams. His time will come on defense.

 While not on the young side, nickel corner Captain Munnerlyn was terrific. He made at least four impact plays in coverage. He had a rough year last year, his first with the Vikings. This season has been the complete opposite.

Some players of note for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs are in a tough spot. They lost running back Jamaal Charles, their best offensive player, to a season-ending knee injury. Those offensive difficulties showed in the first half. They couldn't get anything going. I like to think that the Vikings were a big reason for that. They got some things going in the second half and a lot of that had to do with tight end Travis Kelce. He might be the best at his position not named Rob Gronkowski. Kelce is big, fast, and finds holes in the defense. He's tough to cover.

Then there's linebacker Justin Houston. He's a beast. He didn't get a bunch of sacks (1) but he still nearly broke the game the Chiefs way. He deflected one pass that he nearly gathered in for what would probably have been a touchdown. He forced Bridgewater to throw high another occasion that ended a Vikings drive. Offenses must account for him on every snap.

The Vikings are now 3-2. They the face the no longer winless Detroit Lions next week. The Chiefs have now lost five straight. They are 1-5 and the season could be getting away from them.