Minnesota Vikings MVPs: Week 16 vs. the Detroit Lions

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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 23: Kyle Rudolph #82 of the Minnesota Vikings scores a touch down in front of Glover Quin #27 of the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at Ford Field on December 23, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Offensive MVP

Kyle Rudolph, tight end

This season, Kyle Rudolph has been a bit of a forgotten man. With Adam Thielen going over 1,000 yards this season and Stefon Diggs closing in on that mark, Rudolph has been solid but not spectacular statistically.

Looking at the stat line from Week 16, it’s hard to believe the tight end was ever struggling to rack up yardage through the air. He snagged all nine of the passes thrown to him for a total of 122 yards and two touchdowns.

The highlight every fan will see on SportsCenter is the Hail Mary pass to end the first half where Kirk Cousins aired out the ball from 40 yards away from the goal line only to see Kyle Rudolph leap into the air and catch the ball in a crowd of Honolulu Blue jerseys using his excellent size advantage as well as his solid hands.

Performances don’t get much better than this. Rudolph has been a much better blocker in the run game this season and he can be a great target for Cousins when the defense takes Thielen and Diggs away. He will make opposing defenses pay if they don’t plan for him accordingly.

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