3 biggest Vikings scapegoats from Minnesota’s loss to the Eagles

Darius Slay – CB

I know what you’re thinking: “Darius Slay plays for the Eagles. How is he a scapegoat?” While this is a valid question, there is also a valid answer.

There is no doubt that Slay played an amazing game on Monday night. Slay locked up Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson and accumulated two interceptions in the process, an amount that some corners would be lucky to get in a full season.

Slay has been known as a lockdown corner for some time now, so this question has to be asked: Why did Minnesota continue to throw his way?

Slay is getting his praise, and rightfully so, but if he is such a well-known star, then what is the thought process to go after him? Slay should not have had two interceptions in the game against Minnesota. That is on Kirk Cousins, Jefferson, and Kevin O’Connell for that.

Writing off this poor Vikings performance by saying that Slay locked down Jefferson is not a valid excuse, as Minnesota has two other talented receivers outside of Jefferson that can pick up the slack.

Getting the ball in Jefferson’s hands obviously helps Minnesota win games, we saw that in Week 1, but the offense cannot solely rely on him to carry them. Cousins and O’Connell are putting too much on Jefferson to play hero ball, while Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn aren’t haven’t even been given a chance to make plays.

Slay took advantage of the Vikings trying to force-feed Jefferson, but if the ball was distributed to Minnesota’s other play-makers, we may not be talking so much about Philadelphia’s veteran corner.