In a game against arguably the best defense in the league the Vikings needed to show up and show out, without their starting LT. They did just that on offense and Kirk had an amazing game. The defense still has some work to do for sure, I just don’t know if Ed Donatell is the answer at DC. Here is the summary from the way I saw it.
In the 1st quarter, the offense was moving the ball very well on the first drive. The defense didn’t do as well and gave up a TD in 5 plays. The Vikings next drive ended in a 3 and out. The defense answered with their own three and out. On the Vikings’ next drive we were able to get a first down, the Kirk threw an interception. The defense held New England to a Field Goal after the Int. I know right now the defense is going a bend but don’t break, I need to see more three-and-outs.
In the second quarter, the defense bent but didn’t break as they allowed 2 FGs including one with 3 seconds to go in the first half. It does hurt missing Cam Dantzler Sr and Dalvin Tomlinson. Duke Shelley is doing well and broke up a pass in the endzone, but he isn’t Cam. The offense was able to move the ball well in the second quarter. Justin Jefferson broke another record. He now has the most receiving yards in a player’s first three seasons of a career, the record was 4,163 yards. You may have heard of the WR now in second place, former Minnesota Vikings great Randy Moss. Kirk threw his 2nd TD of the game to TJ Hockenson, his first TD with the Vikings. Greg Joseph missed his 5th extra point of the season, it may be time to bring in other kickers for a tryout. The defense didn’t do enough to get pressure on Mac Jones.
The third quarter started like the second ended, with New England marching down the field and scoring a touchdown with ease. The defense has looked lackluster for most of the season. Kene Nwangwu took the kick-off to the house to tie it up. The defense then let New England march down the field again but held them to a Field Goal. The offense started moving the ball down the field and ended the quarter in the red zone. New England had the lead 26-23 at the end of the 3rd quarter. I need to see more out of this defense altogether.
To start the 4th the o-line gave up their first sack of the game and the Vikings had to settle for a Field Goal. The defense finally figured it out in the 4th quarter. They didn’t allow any points in the 4th and did well to keep New England’s offense off the field. The offense did what they had to do and scored 10 in the final quarter. Kirk made clutch throws and threw his 3rd TD of the game this one to Adam Thielen. The Vikings ended up winning 33-26 to improve to 9-2. New England falls to 6-5. The Vikings’ magic number to clinch the division is now 2 and face the Jets at home next weekend. New England will play Buffalo at home next weekend. Both teams will now have 10 days off.
To me, the offensive line played well this game and kept Kirk relatively clean. I thought after the Cowboys game that Kirk would be under pressure all game without our starting LT Darrisaw. Don’t get me wrong he was under pressure and you can see that on the 4th quarter throw to JJ, but the pass blocking by the line was a lot better than I thought it would be. The run blocking left a lot to be desired as Cook just couldn’t get going. I know, I know we won be happy, I am happy I’m just nit-picking. All in all, it was great to see Kirk and this team play well in Primetime and get the win.
Here are some of the stats and records made by the Vikings tonight:
Kirk Cousins- 30 of 37 299 yards 3TDs 1 INT
Dalvin Cook- 22 rushes 42 yards
Justin Jefferson- 9 catches 139 yds 1 TD
Adam Thielen- 9 catches 61 yds 1 TD
– The Vikings completed 81.6% of their passes tonight. That’s the second-highest completion percentage against the Patriots under Bill Belichick.
– Thielen’s 15-yard touchdown reception marks his 52nd career receiving touchdown, tying WR Anthony Carter for the third-most in franchise history.
– TE TJ Hockenson has caught 26 passes since joining the Vikings, the most by a tight end through their first four games with a team in NFL history.
– WR Justin Jefferson has now recorded 21 games with 100-plus yards receiving, tying Adam Thielen for the fourth-most in franchise history.
– Kene Nwangwu’s 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown marks his third career kick return for a TD. Since entering the league in 2021, Nwangwu leads the NFL in kick return TDs (3).
Phil Kujawa