Minnesota Vikings Week 3 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 was a great team win. Mike Zimmer called it the best offensive performance in his eight years as the team’s head coach. The defense shut out the Seahawks over the final 40 minutes of the game. Greg Joseph made all six of his kicks and Jordan Berry closed the game with a tremendous punt to the one-yard line. Offense, defense, special teams. Each made significant contributions to earn the team’s first win of the season. As a great team win, it’s difficult to single out individual players. Maybe I shouldn’t. But I’ll try.

Offensive Player of the Week

Kirk Cousins, Alexander Mattison, Justin Jefferson, Tyler Conklin, the entire offensive line. Adam Thielen scored another touchdown. K.J. Osborn made more clutch catches. There are a lot of contenders for Offensive Player of the Week. 

Alexander Mattison.

The Vikings 2021 offense will run through Dalvin Cook. Due to a Week 2 ankle injury, he didn’t practice all week and his availability was reportedly a game-time decision. Early Sunday morning, Cook told Mattison that it was his time. 

26 carries, 112 yards

Six catches, 59 yards

32 touches, 171 yards

Mattison made the most of his time. 

Defensive Player(s) of the Week

Over the first 20 minutes of the game, the Vikings defense wasn’t pretty. The Seahawks had scored 17 points. Wide open receivers, giant running lanes, poor tackling. The Seahawks offense did whatever they wanted. It was a huge success when the Vikings held them to a field goal on their second possession. 

Over the final 40 minutes, the Vikings defense shut out the Seahawks. The offense helped by controlling the ball and the clock. The defense still had to slow a Seahawks offense they couldn’t slow early in the game. It took 11 players doing their job. Sacks by Everson Griffen and Eric Kendricks were probably the biggest singular plays. It was the entire defense rebounding from a rough start that was the difference. So, I’m singling out the entire defense. Coaches included. 

Special Teams Player of the Week

It’s gotta be Greg Joseph. 

3/3 on field goals (43, 34, and 20 yards)

3/3 on extra points

Jordan Berry’s punt to the one-yard line with 23 seconds remaining was a beautiful end to a great team win.