MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 28: P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints carries the ball for a 45 yard touchdown after intercepting Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
The bad things vs Saints
Big turnovers leading to Saints points. A big fumble and an interception with miscommunication on a route led to 14 points, putting the Vikings in a position where they could have gone into halftime with a big lead and instead went in trailing and lost all momentum.
Trying to cover Michael Thomas. With Xavier Rhodes out for the game, Minnesota has to rely on Trae Waynes and some young defensive backs to contain one of the most dynamic pass catchers in the league. He was limited to only five receptions, but did average 15.2 yards per catch.
More silly penalties.Everson Griffen hopping offsides, holding on Pat Elflein, Laquon Treadwell‘s helmet throw, and other mistakes hurt the Vikings when every yard counts against the Saints. Every week, I do talk about how disciplined the team needs to be, but they have yet to play a very clean game.
That first half ending. The Vikings had a three-point lead and the ball, threatening to score and get the ball again after halftime. Instead, it was the Saints who forced a fumble from Thielen and then fed Alvin Kamara down the field and into the end zone for a big swing.
Time management. With two timeouts and the ball at the 25, the Vikings are content to run the ball once and pick up 7 yards and then let the clock run out. If you have the opportunity to try to get in scoring range, you should. Especially in a game like this where every point matters.
