Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers: Week 3 review and grades

The rushing attack – Grade: B-

Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata were given the mantle of starting running back duo in the absence of Adrian Peterson. Whereas they did not implore the defense to sell out on the run they still made the Panthers defense play honest. 70 yards total was really a shortcoming in this game, contributing to the Vikings being 3 of 12 on third downs and punting the ball 7 times. As it was the first extended action for this duo, it was still an admirable effort against a very stout run defense. As running backs dropping in to pass protection, they helped keep the pocket clean and were penalty free and both of the backs also caught a pass in the game as well.

The ball hawking defense – Grade A+

3 weeks in to this young season and the Minnesota Vikings deserve a grade higher than an A+.

This defense is already drawing comparisons to other great Vikings defenses of the 70’s, the Purple People Eaters, and beyond all that comparisons to the platinum standard of defense the 85 Chicago Bears. Yes, it is early in the season to be handing out such high praise but there are several factors that bode well for not only sustained defensive production but actually boding even better for INCREASED defensive production! Can you imagine what could happen when these pass rushing demons get their hands on a couple of rookie quarterbacks later on against Dallas and Philadelphia? The defensive craftiness in their shifts and blitzes will continue to give opposing offenses fits. How comfortable will a pocket passer like Eli Manning feel watching the beautiful defensive choreography of the defensive line, watching the like of Erik Kendricks, Harrison Smith, and Anthony  Barr creep up to the line of scrimmage not knowing who is coming at him and who is dropping back in to coverage? This unit gave up only 1 early touchdown to an elite offensive force and managed to keep the endzone out of reach for the remainder of the game. Throw in three interceptions the week after Green Bay managed to fumble away the game to us and you begin to see how opportunistic this defense really is.

Special Teams – Grade A

Coach Mike Priefer has really setup a successful unit of his own with the Vikings special teams. The often overlooked 3rd unit has been another highlight of this young season. Marcus Sherels  punt return ability sparked this team and brought the score to 10-8.

Jeff Locke, the punter the Vikings were testing competition for, was called upon 7 times to punt the ball and did a masterful job helping the Minnesota defense by flipping field position. His 7 punts averaged 48.4 yards per attempt, with his longest being a booming 62 yard bomb, and 3 times pinned the Panthers inside the 20.

What was the real icing on the cake? How about finding out that Cordarrelle Patterson is not only a premier kick returned but also a top gunner on punts? It’s not exactly justification of his first round pick status, but it is a return on an investment and allowing him to have more time to show up on the field and earn playing time on offense.

Blair Walsh… (sighs)… missed his 2nd extra point kick of the season. Is it nerves? Focus? Confidence? Not sure, but its annoying and obnoxious. It wasn’t a factor this week, thankfully, but in the NFL you win by the points you accumulate, and you lose by the points left on the table. Walsh’s flaws are becoming  a headline and a distraction, fans are calling for him to be replaced. Mike Zimmer is trying his best to silence the masses and instill a vote of confidence in his kicker, for he knows that there are no better options available, or we would probably have signed one.

The fans – Grade: A

Vikings fans must have been planning a vacation around this game. Every time the camera panned the crowd, you could see swells of purple in a sea of powder blue. All around town and on the radio, Vikings fans professed their faith in the purple and local radio analysts explained breathlessly that Minnesota stood a way better chance than the national media outlets led fans to believe. The belief in our team is at an all time high heading into 2 home games before the bye week. Nothing could possibly sound better than heading into the week 6 bye at a record of 5-0!