10 rapid thoughts on the Vikings win over the Dolphins in Week 6

Even more rapid thoughts from Minnesota’s win over Miami

Peterson’s still got it: Dalvin Cook wasn’t the only Vikings player who returned home on Sunday. Minnesota cornerback Patrick Peterson is also a Florida native, and like Cook, he came up with a big play when his team needed it the most against the Dolphins.

Peterson performed well in coverage for most of the day, and then in the fourth quarter, he picked off a Teddy Bridgewater pass to give the Vikings back the ball with just over three minutes left in the game. The interception is Peterson’s first of the 2022 season and just his second in a Minnesota uniform since joining the team in 2021.

Harry also proves he’s still got it: Speaking of interceptions, right before the end of the first half, Vikings veteran safety Harrison Smith came up with an interception on the Dolphins’ side of the field. The pick was Smith’s second of the year, and he’s now had multiple interceptions in eight of his 11 seasons in the NFL.

Minnesota’s top safety also had a huge play in the fourth quarter when he forced Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle to fumble to ball, allowing the Vikings to recover and stop Miami from scoring any points on the drive.

O’Connell proving to be the right choice: After firing their head coach and general manager last January, Minnesota had every excuse to blow up their roster and start from scratch. But the Vikings felt the addition of their new coaching staff was going to be enough to help the team to reach their full potential.

Well, six games into the season and Minnesota is sitting with a 5-1 record. Kevin O’Connell and his staff have made a gigantic difference, and they currently have the Vikings in a position to contend for more than just a divisional title this year.

Vikings will get some extra rest next week: Minnesota will get an extended recovery period when they return home from their trip to Miami as the Vikings don’t have a game on their schedule in Week 7.

Minnesota will now have two weeks to prepare for their next contest in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals inside U.S. Bank Stadium.