Minnesota Vikings Week 10 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. After storming out to a 27-3 third quarter lead, they held on for a 27-19 win. Making his first start for the Vikings, quarterback Josh Dobbs guided the offense to a brilliant start. A very good Saints defense wasn’t going to go quietly. The Vikings defense made the big early lead stand. Here are some of the players that made the sixth win of the season possible. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Josh Dobbs, QB

Josh Dobbs gets the nod for his play in the first half. He was brilliant through the first two quarters.

18 completions 

22 attempts

220 yards

1 touchdown (28 yards)

6 carries 

40 yards

1 touchdown (7 yards)

Perhaps due to a more conservative strategy, Dobbs and the offense wasn’t quite as productive in the second half. 

T.J. Hockenson, TE

T.J. Hockenson spent much of the past week nursing tender ribs. The Saints defense might’ve played with those ribs in mind as they seemed more interested in hitting Hockenson in the back and ribs than covering him. The Vikings tight end torched the Saints defense in the first half. 

10 catches

128 yards 

1 touchdown (28 yards)

He only caught one pass for six yards in the second half. His first half was incredible.

Defensive Player of the Game

Danielle Hunter, OLB

Danielle Hunter could get this award every week. He’s been fantastic all season. Pass rush, run game. He’s doing it all at a very high level. Against the Saints, he collected his 11th sack of the season. 

Hunter should be part of every Defensive Player of the Year discussion.

Josh Metellus, Everywhere

When the Vikings defense needs a big play from someone other than Hunter, that player is often Josh Metellus. From coverage to pass rush, sideline to sideline, he’s everywhere. Against the Saints:

7 tackles

1 tackle for loss

It felt like every tackle was huge. 

Byron Murphy, Jr., CB

Some might consider Byron Murphy Jr. a goat (not in the good sense) in this game. He was in coverage on both of the Saints touchdown. He actually had solid coverage against Chris Olave on the first touchdown. Olave just made an outstanding catch of a perfectly placed pass. The second touchdown might’ve been a blown coverage but it was on a scramble drill and Murphy was caught between two receivers. Anyway, I feel that Murphy played well and his late interception went a long way in putting this game in the win column.