Minnesota Vikings Week 5 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings outlasted the Detroit Lions in Week 5 for their second win of the season. Yay. Here are the Vikings Week 5 Superlatives. 

Offensive Player of the Week

The Vikings had two offensive players put up nice numbers. 

Alexander Mattison

25 carries, 113 yards

7 receptions, 40 yards, TD (15 yards)

1 big fumble

Justin Jefferson

7 catches, 124 yards

The pick:

Justin Jefferson

Part of the reason for tapping Jefferson is for what could’ve been. He did whatever he wanted against the Lions secondary. He had 100 receiving yards before half time. He would’ve had 200 yards, he could’ve had 300 yards if the Vikings had taken full advantage of the advantage that he had. This game was decided by a last second field goal because of an offensive strategy that looked designed to keep scoring down. 

Defensive Player of the Week

The Vikings defense is playing better, more together each week. As Anthony Barr shakes off more than a year of rust, that should continue. There are a few contenders for defensive player of the week. Eric Kendricks was everywhere and had a sparkling, one-handed interception. Danielle Hunter has been a pass-rushing beast all season. He added another sack against the Lions. D.J. Wonnum had his first sack of the season. Patrick Peterson was terrific in coverage. Again. The choice is actually an easy one. Everson Griffen. In his first start of the season he had two sacks. The first forced a fumble that was recovered by James Lynch. The play put an end to a Lions drive and gave the offense a possession that led to a field goal. Until the frantic final minutes, Griffen’s sack-fumble felt like a turning point in the game. 

Special Teams Player of the Week

This one’s easy. 

Greg Joseph. He missed a 49-yarder that might’ve iced the game with just over three minutes to play. That wasn’t great. The four field goals that he did make (38, 38, 55, 54) were great. His 54-yarder with zeroes on the clock were the deciding points in the 19-17 win. Joseph has been perfect (5/5) this season from over 50 yards. He needs to kick the shorter ones at the same rate.