The Viking Age
FanSided

Schmidt’s Week 1 game grades: Minnesota Vikings vs. Saints

By Jordan Schmidt

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings makes a contested catch late in the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings makes a contested catch late in the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball in the second half of the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball in the second half of the game against the New Orleans Saints on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Vikings Offense grade: A

The offense started the game off slow. The first couple of possessions there was a lot of runs that were stuffed. Many of the pass plays were quick little routes. But then the Vikings’ offense turned the switch in the 2nd quarter and really opened the playbook.

Sam Bradford played his best game as a Viking last night. Bradford went 27/32 for 346 yards and 3 touchdowns. Bradford had one drive in the 2nd quarter that got him going and gave the whole offensive side energy. It was a three play; 74 yard drive that leads to the Vikings first touchdown of the season when Bradford took over the game.

During that drive the Vikings had two pass plays of over 20-yards. The first pass play went to Adam Thielen for 35-yards. The next play Bradford went to Jarius Wright for 21-yards before capping the drive off with an 18-yard strike to Stefon Diggs.

Dalvin Cook lead the way for Minnesota running backs as he dominated the back field with 22 carries for 127 yards which set a new Vikings’ record for the most rushing yards by a rookie running back in a debut.  The second most carries came from Jerick McKinnon who had 3 carries for 5 yards.

Cook averaged a strong 5.8 yards a carry with his longest run went for 33-yards. Cook showed patience, strength, and speed throughout the game. He built up confidence as the game went on and looks like the Vikings found their new running back for the future.

The offensive line was coming in as the weakness for this team but put in a show last night. The line play was crucial for the Vikings to be so balanced on offense. The Vikings’ line gave Bradford time to scan the field and take shots downfield. The line also helped the Viking have a 100-yard rusher while in 2016 they had zero games with a player to rush for 100-yards.

Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs led the receiving group last night with huge performances. Thielen finished with 9 receptions for 157-yards. While Diggs finished with 7 targets for 93-yards and two touchdowns.

The emerging duo of Thielen and Diggs on the outside for the Vikings offense is an exciting one. Thielen continues to grow and become a reliable target for Bradford. While Diggs takes another step to becoming the number one threat for the Vikings.

On a night that Randy Moss was announced into the Vikings ring of honor, Diggs became the first Vikings wide receiver to catch two touchdown passes in a single game since Moss.

Home/Minnesota Vikings News