The secret is out on Linval Joseph after his recent run of success.
Joseph wasn’t quite as dominating against the Raiders as he was two weeks ago against the Rams but he still had a solid game.
Just ask Derek Carr what kind of player Linval Joseph is.
In the third quarter, Carr went back to pass on second-and-ten. Danielle Hunter broke into the backfield and dove at Carr’s feet, tripping him up.
Carr was able to recover from being tripped up but Linval Joseph was there to clean up.
And when I say clean up I mean clean up. Carr had to be scraped up off the field after this hit.
It appears the officials missed Joseph making helmet-to-helmet contact with Carr on the play. But you know what they say: If they don’t catch it, then it’s not a penalty.
Linval Joseph enjoyed the hit so very much.
Speaking of big hits, how about Harrison Smith introducing himself to Amari Cooper?
On first-and-ten Carr throws short to a wide open Cooper flashing across the middle of the field.
Cooper makes the catch for 15 yards but pays the price.
The officials flagged Harrison Smith initially but then picked up the flag when they realized he had used his shoulder and not his helmet.
Unfortunately that hit may have only fired Amari Cooper up because he came right back and made a 34-yard reception, out-jumping Andrew Sendejo.
Raiders fans know Amari Cooper has plenty of grit, at least. You need grit if you’re going to go up against the Vikings’ defense.
The Vikings have some bad dudes on D right now.