7 takeaways from the Vikings Week 3 win over the Raiders
By Adam Patrick
Defense still struggles with athletic tight ends
If there is one weakness of the Vikings’ very talented defense, it’s their inability to cover an opposing athletic tight end. Last season, Minnesota saw guys like George Kittle, Jimmy Graham, and Zach Ertz all finish with at least five catches and 90 receiving yards against them.
It hasn’t been a glaring issue, but it’s something that has been a problem for Minnesota in the past and it was once again on Sunday against the Raiders.
The Vikings did a very good job at stopping the majority of the players on Oakland’s offense this week. However, this group of guys that Minnesota contained did not include Raiders tight end Darren Waller.
Waller had himself a career performance on Sunday as he finished the afternoon with 13 catches for 134 yards. His 13 receptions are the most an opposing tight end has ever ended up with in a single game against the Vikings.
With matchups against Ertz, Evan Engram, Travis Kelce, Hunter Henry, T.J. Hockenson remaining this year, Minnesota should probably work on improving their defense against these types of players before it grows into something that actually prevents them from winning games.