When I was a kid learning football in the 1970s, winning the game was all that mattered. It really didn’t matter how it looked or the margin. 10-7. 6-3. 15-10. Your team having more points than the other team at the end of the game was the only thing that mattered. Just win. Football in the 2000s is different. For many fans and most in the media, teams have to roll over teams for a win to really mean something. Points. There has to be a lot of points. It takes a lot of points for a team to be of value.
Because the Vikings managed five field goals, and more significantly no touchdowns, there are many unhappy fans. Fans being unhappy after a win feels weird. There were even grumbles when tight end T.J. Hockenson decided to secure the win rather than score a touchdown. That alone seemed to show that points are more important than a win. The Vikings are 4-0. Would the media and fans be happier if Kyler Murray was lighting up defenses but the team was 1-3? Who knows?
It would’ve been nice if the Vikings had scored some touchdowns against one of the worst teams in the league but NFL games rarely follow a hoped-for script. The one objective every team schemes is having more points at the end of the game than their opponent.
During the game, it was stressful that the Vikings wasted a 48-yard Myles Price kick return to open the game. Start around midfield and have to punt after three offensive plays? Very disappointing. Price set up the offense on their second possession at the Dolphins 38-yard line with a 36-yard punt return. While not quite as wasteful as the first “big” return, the Vikings could only move the ball nine yards and settled for a 47-yard Will Reichard field goal. It’s a good thing Reichard doesn’t miss because the Vikings offense is having serious difficulty putting the ball in the end zone.
Myles Price is evolving into quite the special teams weapon. The Vikings have to take better advantage of the excellent field position he’s creating.
The Vikings Defense. If the defense keeps playing like it’s playing, the Vikings will be in every game.
The Vikings defense suffocated the Dolphins offense. The Dolphins could only manage eight first downs. Five of the nine possessions went three-and-out. Malik Willis passed for only 85 yards. The Dolphins managed only 198 yards of offense. If not for a couple Ollie Gordon II runs, that output would’ve been closer to 130 yards.
The Dolphins had a drive at the end of the third quarter that was an outlier from their other eight possessions. That singular drive was only four plays for 55 yards. It was an outlier because each of the four plays gained yards in chunks.
17-yard pass to Malik Washington
9-yard run by Ollie Gordon II
17-yard pass to Malik Washington
12-yards touchdown run by Ollie Gordon II
It was shockingly quick and surgical. The drive was such an outlier that it felt like the Vikings defense simply took an ill-advised break. Ill-advised because it gave the Dolphins some momentum. That momentum didn’t last.
Fortunately, the Vikings answered that shocking touchdown with their best offense of the season so far with Kyler Murray. It was just two possessions but the offense finally moved the ball. Perhaps, they moved the ball because Murray found a consistent target. T.J. Hockenson. It’s been a while since Hockenson has made an impact like he made yesterday.
Hockenson’s day:
13 targets
13 catches
119 yards
He would’ve had an easy walk-in touchdown but wisely decided to down the play at the Dolphin’s two-yard line with two minutes to play. The wise play secured the win as three kneel-downs drained the clock. The Dolphins offense never held the ball again. That play crushed any hope they might’ve had.
Murray on those final two possessions:
13/14 for 120 yards.
Going in, this game against the Dolphins felt like it should be a get-right game for Kyler Murray. For most of the game he wasn’t getting right. The Dolphins hadn’t sacked a quarterback in the first three games. It took one play for them to get that first sack against the Vikings. Murray simply hasn’t looked comfortable in the offense. He finally looked a little comfortable on those last two drives. While Hockenson was often the target, he wasn’t always the target. Murray threw a nice 27-yarder to Jordan Addison on the second of the two drives. Hopefully, Murray can build on the end of this game.
Getting Justin Jefferson back can only help in getting Murray right.
The Vikings are 4-0 because of the outstanding play of the defense and special teams. The offense showed some spark at the end of this win over the Dolphins. It’s a start. Now, go to New Orleans and thrash the Saints next week.
And, enough with the penalties. 11 penalties is too damn many penalties.
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