5 best Vikings from their Week 7 win over the 49ers
By Luke Parrish
2. Minnesota's Offensive Line
The 49ers have one of the best defensive fronts in all of football. The theme for years has been that the offensive line cannot give the quarterback enough time to win games, but in 2023, the OL has been incredible.
On Monday, the 49ers never got into the backfield to sack Kirk Cousins or really even impact the passing game at all. Dalton Risner got his first start in the absence of Ezra Cleveland, and he held his own while the rest of the line played as well as they could have ever dreamed.
San Francisco only got to Kirk Cousins six times for QB hits, and no player had more than one. Minnesota did an excellent job of keeping the pocket clean, and Kirk did his job as a result.
What has long been a weakness for the Vikings has quickly become a strength, as the offensive line ranks among the league's best through seven weeks this season. They have two of the best tackles in football and a solid interior which has given them more than enough of a chance to win up front.
When they were given their biggest test of the season, the offensive line went above and beyond, and they deserve a ton of credit. They seem to be built for the next few years, and that should excite Vikings fans for the future.