Minnesota Vikings Best and Worst: Week 9 vs. Detroit Lions
By Adam Carlson
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Another victory is always nice to see. For the Minnesota Vikings, putting up 34 points and allowing only 20 is a great sign for a team that has struggled offensively and defensively earlier this season.
Thankfully, this looks like a different team with Dalvin Cook in the backfield and some of the younger players gaining some experience. It’s hard to believe this team opened the season with an 0-3 record.
Other good things from Week 9
- The linebackers were on fire! Eric Kendricks and Eric Wilson continue to play lights-out football without Anthony Barr in the lineup. The duo combined for 19 total tackles (11 solo), two interceptions, and half a sack. They have been dominant this season and continue to trend upward.
- Mistake-free football. The Vikings offense did a great job protecting the football. Kirk Cousins didn’t throw an interception and the ball carriers did a great job to not put the ball on the ground. The same can’t be said for the Lions, who threw three interceptions and fumbled once (but recovered it).
- Spreading the ball around. Cousins only attempted 20 passes on the day, but he completed 13 of those attempts and connected with six different pass catchers. The touchdowns went to unlikely players, with two scores for Irv Smith Jr. and Ameer Abdullah.