Minnesota Vikings player rankings: Week 4 edition

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: Chris Ivory #33 of the Buffalo Bills is tackled with the ball by Tashawn Bower #90 of the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: Chris Ivory #33 of the Buffalo Bills is tackled with the ball by Tashawn Bower #90 of the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings is tackled with the ball in front of the Buffalo Bills bench by Rafael Bush #20 of the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 23: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings is tackled with the ball in front of the Buffalo Bills bench by Rafael Bush #20 of the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

4. Everson Griffen (Down 1 spot)

When on the field, Griffen can be dominant. However, the star defensive end missed the game on Sunday for personal reasons and his status for future games should be considered to be up in the air as well.

The good news is that Stephen Weatherly and Tashawn Bower did a good job while filling in for Griffen, accumulating 13 tackles (nine solo), two quarterback hits, and one sack between the two of them. Their presence should allow Griffen as much time as necessary to come back.

3. Adam Thielen (Up 3 spots)

There is no doubt that Kirk Cousins trusts Adam Thielen. Each week that goes by finds the new quarterback in Minnesota looking in the direction of the sure-handed receiver. This time that target number was NINETEEN!

Thielen rewarded Cousins for making those throws. He hauled in fourteen catches to be the only 100-yard receiver in the game, finishing with 105 on the day. He should continue to be the top target for Cousins unless coverage dictates otherwise.

2. Xavier Rhodes (No change)

The Minnesota Vikings only defended four passes during the entire game against the Buffalo Bills and two of those came from Xavier Rhodes breaking up a pass when the football was thrown his direction.

Rhodes continues to be a bright spot for the Vikings defense, breaking up 40% of the passes thrown his way and only allowing three catches in his coverage for a total of 32 yards.

After Trae Waynes was lost for the game, rookie Josh Allen made it a habit of avoiding Rhodes, throwing at fellow rookie Mike Hughes and youngster Mackensie Alexander where he completed five of his seven throws.

Schedule