The Viking Age
FanSided

Minnesota Vikings: Top five takeaways vs. Tampa Bay in Week 3

By Josh Clarke

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 24: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball for a touchdown over defender Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of the game on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 24: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings catches the ball for a touchdown over defender Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter of the game on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings hands the ball off in the first half of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings hands the ball off in the first half of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Tremendous Trench Play

The Vikings offensive lineman unquestionably came under a lot of criticism after their Week 2 performance in Pittsburgh as Case Keenum faced pressure throughout the game. Week 3 however provided a completely different narrative as Keenum was kept upright for just about the entire game.  The new look offensive line played admirably against a stout Buccaneer’s defensive line as they pitched a shutout on the sack front and only allowed 3 quarterback hits. Not only did they prevent Keenum’s jersey from getting dirty but they did so cleanly. After giving up a whopping 5 holding penalties last week the offensive line reduced it to 1 against Tampa.  You know it’s been a good day at the office when Mike Remmers gets an 83.6 grade from Pro Football Focus.

It wasn’t only in the passing game that the big boys impressed as they paved the way for the Vikings to rush for 125 yards on the ground. With Gerald McCoy up front for Tampa, the Vikings were always going to struggle to move the ball up the middle but the interior line didn’t shy away from the challenge. The offensive line certainly didn’t win on every rushing attempt but overall they were able to hold their blocks long enough for Dalvin Cook to find a crease and as we know by now that is all the rookie needs.

Not to be outdone the Viking’s defensive line also played admirably. They may have only sacked Jameis Winston twice and hit him a further 3 times but considering the Vikings once again blitzed infrequently the front 4 had a solid pass rushing performance.  Everson Griffen led the way, getting his 4th sack of the season early in the 3rd game of the season and looks poised for a huge year.

After limiting Le’Veon Bell last week, the Vikings once again shut down the run.  Sure you could argue Tampa had little choice but to take to the air in their effort to close the gap but after averaging less than 3 yards on their 9 carries the Vikings forced their hand.

After 3 weeks the Vikings have shown that when they win on both sides of the trenches they are a force to be reckoned with. Linemen on both sides of the ball will face some challenging opposition thorough out the remaining schedule but early indications suggest they well equipped to match them.

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