Minnesota Vikings Week 8 Superlatives

Due to the Minnesota Vikings letting a win slip away on Halloween Night, there was some consideration to not picking players of the week. Especially on offense. Nothing felt right about letting the Dallas Cowboys leave town with that win. Here’s a stab at players of Week 8.

Offensive Player of the Week

Adam Thielen

The Vikings offense had two sparkling plays. Both were passes to Thielen. The first was the 20-yard touchdown that closed the opening drive. It was a beauty. The Cowboys defense was fooled and Thielen cruised to the end zone. The second came on 4th-and-1 on their own 44-yard line. A little misdirection left Thielen open and the Cowboys helpless. 32 yards to the Cowboys 24. If only the Vikings could’ve finished the drive. They followed the big play with a run for nothing, a run for -2, incomplete pass, field goal. 

Thielen’s numbers:

6 catches

78 yards

1 TD

Dalvin Cook ran well. He probably needed to run more. Reducing three-and-outs would’ve helped with that.

Defensive Player of the Week

This one is easy.

Xavier Woods

1 interception

1 sack 

1 forced fumble

8 tackles

Everyone had a hunch that Woods would make a difference against his former team. He did. The Vikings should’ve had five turnovers. Woods was responsible for the two that they did get. He played well enough to get the stat that matters most. A win. 

Special Teams Player of the Week

Jordan Berry

Unfortunately, Berry was on the field too often. He pinned the Cowboys inside the 20-yard line a few times. Once at the five. 

Greg Joseph

Perfect on four kicks. 

3/3 field goals

1 extra point

4/4 on extra points would’ve been better.