The Viking Age
FanSided

Schmidt’s Week 3 game grades: Minnesota Vikings vs Buccaneers

By Jordan Schmidt

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 24: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a 59 yard touchdown pass to teammate Stefon Diggs #14 in the third quarter 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 celebrates a 59 yard touchdown pass to teammate Stefon Diggs #14 in the third quarter 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) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is hit by defender Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings as he throws the ball in the first half 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: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is hit by defender Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings as he throws the ball in the first half of the game on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Vikings defensive grade: A-

The Minnesota Vikings entered Week 3 with zero turnovers forced by their defense. Well, that quickly changed as the Vikings were able to get 3 interceptions. Andrew Sendejo, Trae Waynes, and Harrison Smith were the Vikings to pick up an interception on Sunday.

Trae Waynes has struggled in his early career but made a great play on his interception. He was defending against DeSean Jackson of the Buccaneers, who is a speed guy. Waynes did a good job of quickly turning or “speed turn” on the play where he was able to undercut the route for the interception.

The interception by Sendejo was a pivotal one that killed the momentum for the Buccaneers. Jameis Winston for the Bucs threw it right into the arms of Sendejo during the early part of the fourth quarter.

The Vikings pass rush came back to life this week as they were able to generate two sacks. One of the sacks came from Shamar Stephen and the other one came from Everson “Sack Daddy” Griffin.

The pressure created by the Vikings front seven caused problems for the run game of Tampa Bay and really helped in the three turnovers that the Vikings were able to force.

As good as the Vikings defense was on Sunday, there was one bad play that stood out. It was when DeSean Jackson caught his 25 yard touchdown. Tramaine Brock was the cornerback for the Vikings who was in the right position for the ball but he lost or never saw the ball as Jackson was able to leap and make the catch.

It was tough mistake because he was right there and if he would have located the ball it most likely would have been an incomplete pass or possibly an interception.

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