Minnesota Vikings Week 10 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10. It was a fun game. A win is always fun. Here are some of the players that helped bring home that win. 

Offensive Player of the Week

The coaches stressed the need to get the ball in the hands of receiver Justin Jefferson more. He’d had only a handful of targets the previous two games combined. That couldn’t continue. It didn’t. 

9 catches

143 yards

He was targeted 11 times. Several of his catches were among the biggest, most critical offensive plays of the game. The Vikings offense is at it’s best when Jefferson is a big part of it. 

Defensive Player of the Week

The Vikings defense probably played their most complete game of the season. They did it against one of the most potent offenses in the league. The Chargers had to really work for every yard that they gained. It was terrific team defense but two defenders did stand out. 

Eric Kendricks

8 tackles

1 sack

1 tackle for loss

1 interception

Cam Bynum

6 tackle

1 sack

1 tackle for loss

Eric Kendricks is great every week.

Cam Bynum was forced into the starting lineup last week when Harrison Smith tested positive for COVID during a pregame test. Bynum practiced last week knowing that he was starting against the Chargers. He was excellent in both games. Smith should return next week but Bynum looks like he has a bright future moving forward. He’s played so well that the coaches might need to scheme up some three-safety looks. 

Special Teams Player of the Week

This one is easy. 

Dede Westbrook

His first quarter, 45-yard punt return to the Chargers 28-yard line should’ve gotten the offense rolling. Unfortunately, a turnover pissed that opportunity away. 

For the game, Westbrook returned three punts for 69 yards. Hopefully, we see more of that sort of returning.