Minnesota Vikings Week 8 Superlatives

I was distracted by the big deal for T.J. Hockenson. 

The Minnesota Vikings outlasted the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9. 34-26. It was an anxious fourth quarter but the Vikings defense was the difference. The offense scored five touchdowns but it was the defense that sealed the win. The Vikings are now 6-1 on the season. They keep doing enough, making the needed plays, to keep stacking up wins. Here are some of the players that made the sixth win possible. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Dalvin Cook, RB

Dalvin Cook had his first 100-yard game of the season.

20 carries, 111 yards, and a touchdown.

He also added 30 yards on five receptions. Cook paced a rushing attack that totaled 173 yards. Hopefully this 100-yard is the first of many moving forward. The Vikings offense is better when the run game is setting up nice second downs. 

Defensive Player of the Game

Za’Darius Smith, OLB

The Vikings defense played well but this one’s easy. Za’Darius Smith was brilliant. He was the most dominant player on the field. 

3 sacks

7 tackles

4 tackles for loss

1 tipped pass

Smith went down with an injury. It was a scary moment as his impact on the game had been huge. Fortunately, he soon returned to the game and continued to ruin the Cardinals day.

Special Teams Player(s) of the Game

Troy Dye, ST

One of the big plays of the game came when Cardinals punt returner Greg Dortch botched the handling of a Ryan Wright punt. Troy Dye recovered the loose ball. It set the offense up nicely on the Cardinals 25-yard line and led to the touchdown that was the difference in the game.