10 quick thoughts on the Vikings win over the Lions in Week 3

Even more quick thoughts from Minnesota’s win over Detroit

Cook rebounds from a bad Week 2: Before he had to leave the game early with a shoulder injury, Dalvin Cook was running all over the Lions on Sunday.

During his time on the field, Cook rushed for 96 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. His performance against Detroit was much, much better than the 17 rushing yards he finished with during Minnesota’s loss to the Eagles last Monday.

Cine doesn’t get the start: With their first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft earlier this year, the Vikings decided to select former Georgia safety Lewis Cine. Since Harrison Smith was ruled out before Sunday’s game due to a concussion, some felt that Cine would get a chance to start against the Lions.

However, Minnesota went with Josh Metellus as Smith’s replacement in the starting lineup instead of Cine. It’s a bit disappointing that the rookie didn’t get the start, but the Vikings clearly don’t feel that he’s ready for a significant increase in playing time just yet.

Smith drops another pass: Irv Smith Jr. had a game-altering drop in the first half of Minnesota’s loss to the Eagles in Week 2, and on Sunday, he let another pass slip through his hands in the third quarter that would’ve put the Vikings close to the red zone.

Maybe Smith’s surgically repaired thumb is having an impact on his drops, but it’s something that needs to be fixed moving forward.

Week 4 opponent not intimidating: For their next game, the Vikings will travel across the pond to take on the New Orleans Saints in London, England. The Saints are sitting with a 1-2 record after losing to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Anything could happen, but at this point, it seems safe to say that Minnesota will probably have an easier time with New Orleans next weekend than what they dealt with on the field against the Lions on Sunday.