Grittiness of Vikings will be a much needed asset going forward

The Minnesota Vikings showed their grit with a walk-off win against the Detroit Lions, a trait that will be much needed throughout the year.

The Minnesota Vikings improved from their .500 mark of 1-1 with a win over the Detroit Lions in Week 3, but it didn’t come easy. The Vikings showed their grit and tenacity by taking the game down to the last minute where quarterback Kirk Cousins hit K.J. Osborn for a go-ahead score, and with a Josh Meteluss interception, the 28-24 stuck for the team’s second victory of 2022.

Moments as such will be what Minnesota needs going forward, as their comeback performance against Detroit was a night and day contrast compared to their “Monday Night Football” showing against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. Albeit two different teams and a regretful field goal attempt by their most recent opponent, the sentiment remains for the Vikings.

Minnesota will need to hone in on the ability to bounce back from a 10-point deficit as they did with the Lions, rather than opening up room for a continued struggling defensive showing as they did with the Eagles.

What the Week 3 win over the Detroit Lions means for the Minnesota Vikings going forward

Quite frankly, the Vikings still look to be an unknown when it comes to what their ceiling is for the 2022 season. Minnesota started off Week 1 seemingly to be the powerhouse fans have been hoping for, with new head coach Kevin O’Connell starting his tenure in the Twin Cities on the right note, but then they faltered in Philadelphia.

The trend looked to continue to head south until the Vikings showed their grit in Week 3 to bounce back with Cousins leading them to a game-winning drive.

With a game across the pond against the New Orleans Saints on the schedule next, another divisional game against the Chicago Bears in Week 5, and the currently undefeated Miami Dolphins all within their sights for Week 6, Minnesota needs to hone on what they can do best to secure more victories.

Getting Justin Jefferson open, who has been held to 50 receiving yards the last two games, would help the Vikings. But with Jefferson receiving double and triple coverage at times, Osborn serves as a new weapon to complement veteran wideout, Adam Thielen. Keeping the oft-injured Dalvin Cook healthy will be a must, as well, for Minnesota.

The Vikings know their next round of matchups will serve as a test to how they can execute these scenarios. After getting blown out by the Eagles, Minnesota relied on their grit to bounce back against the Lions, and they need to do just such if they want to serve as a threat come playoff time.