How did some notable ex-Vikings perform in Week 1?
By Chris Schad
Former Viking No. 3
Patrick Peterson - CB
Week 1 Stats (allowed in pass coverage):
- 6 targets
- 4 receptions
- 42 yards
- 2 touchdowns
Patrick Peterson started off the week by guaranteeing an interception on his "All Things Covered" podcast, but when the game was over on Sunday, he was one of Brock Purdy’s biggest victims in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 30-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Peterson didn’t have a terrible game, as he only allowed 42 yards on the day, but he also allowed four catches and a pair of touchdowns, including a matrix-like throw from Purdy that went underneath Peterson’s arm for a touchdown.
Still, Peterson remained insistent that the 49ers’ offense “had tells” that could have led to multiple interceptions.
“It was there. I had an opportunity to get two picks, I just didn’t grab it in. We just [weren’t] in good enough position to make those plays.”
Even so, Peterson played 29.4 percent of his coverage snaps in man on Sunday compared to 17 percent with the Vikings last season. While part of that could be chalked up to Ed Donatell’s defense, it may have been by design, as he allowed a 119.8 passer rating on man coverage snaps against the 49ers.
Peterson’s career is coming toward the end, but after Sunday’s performance, that ending could be closer than people think.