Offensive Players of the Game
Aaron Jones, RB
T.J. Hockenson, TE
Josh Oliver, TE
It’s difficult to pick an offensive player of this game. Despite 400 yards of total offense and easily moving the ball from one end of the field to the other, the Vikings scored zero touchdowns. Three red zone interceptions and settling for four field goals was a poor result for solid offensive work.
Aaron Jones ran well.
17 carries
88 yards
As a team the Vikings ran the ball a robust 43 times for 169 yards. Jones accounted for 52% of those yards. There was concern when he left the game with an apparent chest/rib injury. There was even more concern when he rode a cart into the locker room. Fortunately, he was able to return and close out the game. Whether because of the interceptions or simply part of the game plan, Vikings play-caller Kevin O’Connell really leaned into the run game. Jones effectively paced that strategy.
T.J. Hockenson returned to the field last week against the Indianapolis Colts. He made a few catches for modest results. He made a greater impact and looked more like his game-breaking self on Sunday against the Jaguars.
8 catches
72 yards
The highlight of his production was a catch up the seam for 26 yards. The catch and run looked like it might go for much more than 26 yards.
Josh Oliver was signed in 2023 for his blocking prowess more than his receiving. With the return last week of Hockenson, it’s a little surprising that Oliver’s most productive receiving stretch has been the past two weeks. He had 5 catches for 58 yards and a touchdown last week. This week:
4 catches
52 yards
28 of the 52 yards came on one big catch.
Jones, Hockenson, and Oliver accounted for 225 of the 402 yards gained by the Vikings offense.
Defensive Player of the Game
Blake Cashman, LB
This should go to the entire Vikings defense. The Jaguars gained 143 total yards (87 yards passing, 56 yards rushing). The dominance of that offense was so thorough that it’s surprising they managed a touchdown drive. 70 of the 143 total yards came on that single drive. It was very much an outlier. The Vikings team defense was impressive.
Blake Cashman gets the nod here for his return to the field. A turf toe injury had kept him off the field the previous three games. Factoring in the Week 6 bye, he’d been out for a month. He was missed and his return was great to see.
For the game:
5 tackles
1 sack
2 tackles for loss
Cashman had a second sack taken away because he got a piece of Mac Jones’ facemask. I guess the officials can see that illegal act when the Vikings are guilty of it.
It was great to see Blake Cashman back on the field.
Special Teams Player of the Game
John Parker Romo, K
Jake McQuaid, LS
It was disappointing that the Vikings offense, despite moving easily down the field, had to settle for four field goal attempts. Those 12 points were enough to gain the win. To get those points, the Vikings had to rely on two players that were signed last week. Injuries to kicker Will Reichard and long snapper Andrew DePaola last week against the Indianapolis Colts forced the Vikings to go searching for emergency replacements. They didn’t have to look far for their kicker. John Parker Romo was on the roster through the offseason and into training camp. Veteran Jake McQuaide has 17 years of solid long snapping experience. The Vikings were fortunate that he was available and waiting for a call. He’s even shared some time with head coach Kevin O’Connell and special teams coordinator Matt Daniels with the Los Angeles Rams. The Vikings were forced to rely on a new kicking battery. Other than one snap that made holder Ryan Wright work a bit to place the ball, the new kicking battery was perfect. They were four-for-four on the field goal attempts. The Vikings desperately needed each of them.
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