The Minnesota Vikings lost another close one in Week 2. There’s really no such thing as a good loss. No matter how well a team plays, all losses count the same. The Vikings lost to the Arizona Cardinals when a 37-yard field goal sailed right as time expired, 34-33. The general feeling about the team after this loss is better than it was after the Week 1 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. A loss is still a loss and the Vikings are 0-2 after two weeks. Still, the Vikings played better against the Cardinals and there are several contenders for Week 2 Superlatives.
Offensive Player of the Week
Kirk Cousins has played four Septembers with the Vikings. If my memory holds true, he’s had three shaky Septembers with the Vikings. It feels like his worst games often come at the start of the season. This year, he’s played well through two games. He’s led successful, clutch drives at the end of regulation of both games. He’s put the ball on his receivers and he hasn’t turned the ball over. He’s even used his feet.
Dalvin Cook was great. Again. The only concerns with his play were the two occasions in which he was injured/shaken-up/tweaked. He must stay healthy.
The Vikings receiver group has been a top-heavy group of two excellent receivers for several years. They’ve been looking for a third receiver for a while. Through two games, the Vikings may have found their third receiver. K.J. Osborn had his second strong game. He opened the scoring against the Cardinals with a 64-yard touchdown on the second play of the game. He had two clutch catches to set up what was supposed to be a 37-yard game-winning field goal.
Any of the three could be the Vikings Offensive Player of the Week. I’m going with left tackle Rashod Hill. Cardinals pass rusher Chandler Jones racked up five sacks against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. There wasn’t an NFL pundit that thought that Hill stood a chance of keeping Jones off of Cousins. I’m not sure how many snaps Hill and Jones went after each other. I do know that Chandler Jones’ name wasn’t mentioned often. He was barely a factor. The game plan and offensive line, in general, and Hill, in particular, was the reason.
Defensive Player of the Week
Linebacker Nick Vigil returned an interception for a touchdown and had a strong game overall. Safety Xavier Woods had a drive-ending interception. Eric Kendricks had several impact stops.
As with the offense, the Vikings defense had a few contenders for Player of the Week. It’s still an easy choice. Danielle Hunter. Kyler Murray might be the most difficult quarterback to sack in the league. He’s quick, He’s fast. He’s shifty. He’s so damn small. He’s about a full foot shorter than the giants chasing him. He’s tough to catch. Hunter caught him three times. The final sack helped get the ball back to the offense for what was supposed to be a game-winning drive. Hunter’s definitely back and he’s more beastly than ever.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Is there one? The most painful moments of the game were on special teams. Greg Joseph’s missed extra point in the second quarter. In a game decided by a single point every point was critical and the Vikings had one get away. Joseph’s missed 37-yard field goal as time expired. A 37-yarder that was supposed to be the game-winner. DeDe Westbrook’s ill-advised return of a punt that he caught at his own six-yard line. He was tackled on the two-yard line. His own two-yard line. The offense had a critical possession in front of them. Starting at the two-yard line took away some of their options.
Special Teams Player of the Week? Joseph’s misses were the special teams lowlights. He also made two 50+-yard field goals. Two long field goals is the sort of accomplishment that usually gets Player of the Week nods. That’s what makes his two misses so striking. How can a kicker nail two long kicks and miss two gimmes? Even from 32 yards, extra points are supposed to be automatic. The supposed-to-be game winner was only five yards longer. Special Teams Players of the Week? Kris Boyd had a terrific hit to slow/stop Cardinals punt returner Rondale Moore. Troy Dye and others followed Boyd’s initial hit to secure the stop. Moore had been a pain to tackle all game. He’s a threat to score every time he has the ball. It was a critical point in the game and Boyd stopped Moore before he could get started. For the game, Jordan Berry punted well. His highlight was a 60-yard boomer from his own nine-yard line. Boyd’s hit on Moore came at the end of that punt. The play of Berry and Boyd to flip the field position situation at a critical moment late in the game is the Special Teams Play(ers) of the Week.
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