This game was supposed to be a battle between two strong defensive teams. It turned out to be more of an offensive affair. The two teams combined for 12 scoring drives and three punts. The Vikings were supposed to sport a modest offense. For most of the game they had their way with a tough Redskins defense. This was especially true during three consecutive possessions that stretched from the end of the second to the start of the third quarters. It was a stretch in which they outscored the Redskins 21-0. That turned a 17-14 deficit into a 35-17 lead. The first and third possessions were nearly identical. Six plays for 71 yards on the first touchdown drive. Six plays for 72 yards on the third touchdown drive to open the second half. The Vikings defense set up the second touchdown. Cornerback Mackensive Alexander's first career interception set his team up nicely at the Redskins 23=yard line. The offense took advantage of the sudden, terrific field position by taking three plays to score the middle of the three touchdown outburst. The Vikings offense played well throughout the game but it was this three touchdown stretch that turned the game the Vikings way.
Alexander's interception set up the first touchdown of tight end David Morgan's career. It was a couple career firsts for a couple of second-year players.
Much of the conversation coming out of Minnesota last week concerned the return of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the active roster. He hadn't played in a game that counted since the 2015 playoffs. A brutal knee injury suffered a week before the 2016 season has kept him in rehab and on the sideline for more than a year. It was a return deserving of attention. It was much more deserving than the Vikings' supposed post-bye woes. Lost in the shadows of the Bridgewater talk was Case Keenum starting this game. In the eight games (seven starts) in which he'd played his performance had ranged from solid to excellent. His performance against the Redskins might've been his best of the season. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns. It would've been a better performance if not for a couple throws that he made in the second half. Keenum threw two consecutive passes to Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger rather than to one of his teammates. The first didn't hurt much as the throw came on third down from the Redskins 39-yard line. It was as much punt as it was interception. It did give the Redskins some hope when their prospects were looking a bit bleak. It was hope that the Vikings defense stifled when they forced a turnover on downs. Keenum's second throw to Swearinger followed and was much more damaging as it was returned the Vikings 2-yard line. The Redskins touchdown two plays later cut the lead to 35-27 with nearly all of the fourth quarter to play.
It's taken me a while to warm to Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins as a "franchise" sort of player. With an inability to come to sign him to a long-term contract it appears that the Redskins have had similar concerns. No one outside the team really knows what's going on in these negotiations but they haven't been productive. Over the last year, and especially the last two weeks, I've seen a quarterback that can be the answer at the position for some team. He's a very good quarterback that's getting better. The Redskins are truly idiots if they let him slip away.
Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was a game-time scratch. He'd been nursing a foot injury since the final play of the Week 8 game against the Cleveland Browns. It was hoped that two weeks of nursing would be enough for him to be ready for this game. He wasn't ready. While the Vikings have nice depth along the defensive line Griffen was missed. He's having his best season. He's been a game-changing force against the pass and the run. His 10 sacks lead the team. Left defensive end Danielle Hunter moved over to Griffen's spot on the right side and Brian Robison stepped into Hunter's spot. That's a nice defensive end duo. Grifffen's absence might've been most felt in the line rotation. The Vikings just didn't have the same number of players rotating through the game.
Griffen has a streak of eight consecutive games with a sack. If he's ready to go next week he'll have a chance to extend that streak. He's currently tied with Jim Marshall and Jared Allen for the franchise record. If Griffen can hit ten he'll tie an NFL record.
Griffen has a streak of eight consecutive games with a sack. If he's ready to go next week he'll have a chance to extend that streak. He's currently tied with Jim Marshall and Jared Allen for the franchise record. If Griffen can hit ten he'll tie an NFL record.
Redskins corner Josh Norman is one of the best in the league. Bashaud Breland and DeAngelo Hall are fine corners as well. It's an excellent corner group. Vikings receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs often had their way with them. Thielen and Diggs, especially Thielen, were running free throughout the game.
For the game:
Adam Thielen 8 catches for 166 yards, 1 touchdown
Stefon Diggs 4 catches 78 yards, 1 touchdown
Perhaps it's due to the Vikings' recent reputation as a team that's limited offensively but their receivers have received scant respect from the media. Diggs and Thielen form one of the best receiving duos in the league. Their statistics show it and corners that have struggled to cover them know it.
Thielen has caught at least five passes in each game this season. He's the only player in the league that's hit that mark.
In recent years the Vikings have been somewhat pathetic in the red zone. They've had to settle for far too many field goals. It's cost them some wins. Yesterday they hit the red zone five times and scored five touchdowns. They have to make that sort of offensive efficiency and consistency routine.
The Vikings used an unbalanced offensive line in the red zone yesterday. Left tackle Riley Reiff moved over to the right side. It was effective. It opened up the running game which in turn opened up the passing game. It also gives opposing defenses a little more to consider.
Speaking of Riley Reiff. He's yet to allow a sack this season.
On the other side of the Vikings offensive line, Rashod Hill did a fine job stepping in for Mike Remmers (concussion) at right tackle.
There was an outstanding Vikings representation in Washington for the game. Congratulations to the fans that brought a little bit of home to their team.
In a battle of 7-2 division-leaders, the Vikings host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday. The next two games might be the most important of the season. Four days later the Vikings play the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.
A couple other thoughts.
With fantasy football all the rage these days the announcement of the inactive lists each Sunday morning have become a much anticipated and important event. So much so that each of the pregame shows run the list of inactive players continuously. For some reason NFL Network listed Vikings receiver Rodney Adams as one of their inactive players. The only problem with that was that Adams isn't on the active roster. He's on the practice squad. Stacy Coley was the Vikings player that had been mistaken for Adams. At least they play the same position.
Speaking of NFL Network. Draft analyst Mike Mayock visited with Stacey Dales in Washington prior to the Vikings-Redskins game. After making his surprise appearance on the broadcast, Mayock threw it back to Rich Eisen in the Network's Los Angeles studio by saying, "Might wanna occasionally talk some football." Mayock's always about the football. I like Mike Mayock.
I didn't see much of the other games so it wouldn't be right to give my thoughts on those. I saw that the San Francisco 49ers finally got a win. Congratulations to Kyle Shanahan on his first career head coaching win. He'll have many more as I believe that he and general manager John Lynch have their team headed in the right direction.
In recent years the Vikings have been somewhat pathetic in the red zone. They've had to settle for far too many field goals. It's cost them some wins. Yesterday they hit the red zone five times and scored five touchdowns. They have to make that sort of offensive efficiency and consistency routine.
The Vikings used an unbalanced offensive line in the red zone yesterday. Left tackle Riley Reiff moved over to the right side. It was effective. It opened up the running game which in turn opened up the passing game. It also gives opposing defenses a little more to consider.
Speaking of Riley Reiff. He's yet to allow a sack this season.
On the other side of the Vikings offensive line, Rashod Hill did a fine job stepping in for Mike Remmers (concussion) at right tackle.
There was an outstanding Vikings representation in Washington for the game. Congratulations to the fans that brought a little bit of home to their team.
In a battle of 7-2 division-leaders, the Vikings host the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday. The next two games might be the most important of the season. Four days later the Vikings play the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.
A couple other thoughts.
With fantasy football all the rage these days the announcement of the inactive lists each Sunday morning have become a much anticipated and important event. So much so that each of the pregame shows run the list of inactive players continuously. For some reason NFL Network listed Vikings receiver Rodney Adams as one of their inactive players. The only problem with that was that Adams isn't on the active roster. He's on the practice squad. Stacy Coley was the Vikings player that had been mistaken for Adams. At least they play the same position.
Speaking of NFL Network. Draft analyst Mike Mayock visited with Stacey Dales in Washington prior to the Vikings-Redskins game. After making his surprise appearance on the broadcast, Mayock threw it back to Rich Eisen in the Network's Los Angeles studio by saying, "Might wanna occasionally talk some football." Mayock's always about the football. I like Mike Mayock.
I didn't see much of the other games so it wouldn't be right to give my thoughts on those. I saw that the San Francisco 49ers finally got a win. Congratulations to Kyle Shanahan on his first career head coaching win. He'll have many more as I believe that he and general manager John Lynch have their team headed in the right direction.
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