Vikings Win On The Road

The Giants were missing their star running back in Saquon Barkley and all of their starting linebackers. Daniel Jones, a rookie was named the starter a few weeks ago over aging veteran Eli Manning. That’s a good combination for a vicious defensive team. It sounds similar to last week when the Vikings faced the Bears when they were missing several key starters. The Vikings could have, and should have beaten them especially after they lost their starting quarterback in the first quarter. The team fell apart and it seemed like the team was spiraling to disaster after Stephon Diggs wasn’t at practice earlier this week and acting upset about his lack of seeing the ball. The tremors felt around the state were the feet of purple and gold fans jumping off the bandwagon while the rest was defenders of the team stomping their feet that things would be OK. Kirk Cousins was being savaged on social media as trade scenarios for Diggs were typed in by keyboard warriors and false prophets. Would the Vikings fall again to another team they should beat – if not dominate outright?

The Vikings beat the New York Giants today 28-10, and they should have. Not only did they win, but they didn’t basically controlled the game from beginning to end. They only let the Giants score 10 points and turned them away from the red zone several times. Even when Jones could throw the ball he had Danielle Hunter or Everson Griffen harassing him as the team racked up 4 sacks. Anthony Barr had a big safety after the Giants got backed up to their end zone on a perfectly timed blitz and later had a sealing interception. Eric Kendricks continues to be EVERYWHERE on the field making tackles and breaking up passes. The defense continues to be the strength of the team and just needs the offense to play along. The defense helped the Giants stay in the game though by having several untimely penalties.

Kirk Cousins was better than good today. He was 22 of 27 passing for 306 yards and 2 touchdowns to Adam Thielen. He had no interceptions. There was a bad snap from Garrett Bradbury which Kirk fortunately jumped on. Cousins got sacked a few times without fumbling. Diggs had three receptions today which won’t necessarily heal all wounds, but he seemed to try to make friends as he went and gave Kirk a high five in the game after a scoring drive. All friends now? Maybe. Dalvin Cook continues to be one of the best running backs in the NFL as he had 132 yards rushing and 86 yards receiving which is a feet no former Vikings running back has accomplished. Cook never got the end zone today (had he not fumbled at the two yard line and lost it after a long run he may have gotten to run one in), but his stats kept the ball moving and kept the Giants defense off balance. Not only is he a talented back, but the Vikings offensive line in opening holes for him to work effectively and efficiently through. Josh Kline has been an excellent signing at offensive line along with drafting Bradbury, and fullback CJ Ham is absolutely crushing defenders to make holes for Cook and Alexander Mattison. My only concern is that the tight ends are not getting a lot of looks in the games and I’m wondering if it’s an issue of not enough balls to go around. If the offense fires like it did today and the tight ends do get involved more then this offense could really get humming. Dan Bailey had a great game today hitting 4 fields goals and his 2 extra point attempts. The kicking game has had its struggles as well so it’s good to see there not being any negativity around that part of special teams today. All in all, the team won and the healing has begun. A win back at home against the Eagles next week with good output by Cousins could make things even better. However, wounds take time to heal. SKOL!