Week Three Reaction: Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers
The Vikings travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina as seven point underdogs and left 12 point victors over the Cam Newton lead Panthers. The Vikings’ defense sacked Newton eight times while picking him off three. As far as defensive performances go, this was one of the best for the Vikings and their fans in recent memory.
The Vikings gave up 10 points to the Panthers in the first quarter and that was it. Danielle Hunter started the defensive onslaught by sacking Newton in the endzone for a safety. The sacks then piled up on drive after failed Carolina drive as Newton had nowhere to go with the football.
The Vikings’ defense held a Panthers’ offense that had averaged 40-plus points per contest over their last seven home games to just 10 points. Vikings’ head coach, Mike Zimmer, would never admit it but even he was smiling after holding the Panthers scoreless for the last three quarters. This defensive group appears to be putting together memorable week after memorable week in what is shaping up to be an unforgettable season.
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Austin Erwin
What the Vikings did well
The Vikings got after Cam Newton all day, notching eight sacks. Carolina couldn’t seem to stop Everson Griffen, who put up three of them. If Minnesota can continue putting this kind of pressure on their opponents, 2016 has the makings of a storybook year.
Favorite play
Marcus Sherels returns a punt for a touchdown late in the second quarter to shorten the Panthers lead before the half. Sherels had an amazing day and his vision as a ball carrier was a turning point in the game.
Players of the Game
Kyle Rudolph
Everson Griffen
Marcus Sherels
What Vikings did poorly
Although there was some improvement, the Vikings need to open up the running game even more. The offense has the ability to move the ball down the field consistently but that task becomes exponentially tougher without the presence of a ground attack.
Bad play
When the Vikings gave up an early touchdown and the Panthers stretched their lead from three to ten. That would be all for Carolina, however. Minnesota would dial up their aggression and take the game over defensively for the rest of the afternoon.
Who Needs to Step Up Next Week
Nobody wants to put any more pressure on Blair Walsh, but, he missed another extra point opportunity on Sunday. This pattern goes back to the previous year. Walsh must step up his consistency and trust in himself to kick routine field goals. He needs to regain his confidence.
Fallout
The Vikings can take the game over defensively. Everyone knows that. Don’t sleep on that Minnesota offense, though. The Vikings moved the ball very well in the second-half with three scoring drives. Should they start out future games with greater execution and more consistency, the Vikings will become even more dangerous.
Clayton R. Brooks II
What the Vikings did well
For the third straight week, it was the defense that took charge and left their mark on the game. After spotting the Panthers 10 points on Carolina’s first two possessions, the Vikings defense stifled and battered Newton and his high-scoring offense into submission.
Danielle Hunter got things started with a sack of Newton in the end zone for a safety. The pummelling only intensified from there and by the end of the game, the defense had racked up eight sacks, three interceptions and a safety en route to a 22-10 victory.
Favorite play
Everson Griffen’s pressure on Newton, leading to Tom Johnson’s interception. Griffen got to Newton almost untouched and looked to have a sack. In desperation, Newton tried to throw it away, but took the hit as he was in motion, causing the ball to go high instead of forward and allowed Tom Johnson the easy interception.
Players of the Game
Everson Griffen
Harrison Smith
Danielle Hunter
What Vikings did poorly
Once again the Vikings struggled to run the football. At one point they were one of the most dominant running teams in the league, but ineffective line play has prevented the running attack from even factoring into games. If the Vikings are going to remain at or near the top of the conference, they need to find a way to fix this leaky offensive line and reinvigorate the running game.
Bad play
Charles Johnson’s dropped pass early in the first quarter cost the Vikings a possession as they were forced to punt. Johnson had good separation and a well thrown ball, but simply did not secure the catch. These are the plays that the Vikings desperately need with Adrian Peterson out.
Who Needs to Step Up Next Week
The offense simply needs to be better. The defense and special teams have consistently held up their end. The offense needs to establish balance to help keep Sam Bradford upright and healthy.
Fallout
The Vikings defense has left no doubt they are one of the top five defenses in the NFL. Even with injuries to key personnel, the Vikings continue to grind and get the job accomplished. The offense is still a work in progress. Even with improved efficiency in the passing game, there are still concerns.
Justin Ekstrom
What the Vikings did well
Defense — nothing more has to be said about eight sacks, three interceptions and a safety.
Favorite play
Easily could be any one of the sacks, interceptions or even the safety, but Newton just was not himself after Joseph caught him from behind. This is obviously not applauding the injury of Newton but it definitely hampered him physically and got into his head.
Players of the Game
Everson Griffen
Linval Joseph
Danielle Hunter
What Vikings did poorly
Sustaining drives; too many quick possessions leave the defense feeling exhausted and gassed. The offense cannot afford to have the defense bail them out every single week. They need to carry their weight.
Bad play
Blair Walsh misses another extra point and it was obvious that it affected the play calling later in the game.
Who Needs to Step Up Next Week
Charles Johnson finds himself on this list yet again. Two times he had a chance for a third down conversion and both should be considered drops. The offense could really use a third weapon after Diggs and Rudolph.
Fallout
It is unknown what exactly Zimmer does or says at halftime but he must be one of the greatest adjusters in the NFL. Perhaps Norv Turner is taking note as well since the Vikings were able to move the ball a bit more in the second-half.
Wrap it up
If the NFC was wishing for the Vikings to fold after losing yet another main contributor, they chose the wrong star. “Resilience” is a word that yet again will be uttered by the Vikings’ and their fanbase this week.
Everyone may have heard a coach say “we just had to make adjustments and start executing,” and not exactly know what they meant. What the coaches most assuredly meant was, “if the players play like I told them to, we would be winning.” Whatever the case may be, Zimmer better keep saying what he has because his defense has given up merely 13 points in the second-half of games this season.
Can the defense keep this pace up? Can the offense continue to go three and out on a consistent basis, yet do just enough to win games? History would say it is improbable yet possible, however, the Vikings better find a way to score more points on offense.
Next up: The Vikings get an extra day to prepare for the New York Giants who come into U.S. Bank Stadium for a Monday Night Football matchup on ESPN.
Justin Ekstrom can be followed on Twitter @thesportscrib21 and be sure to follow and comment about vikings32 on Facebook and Twitter.
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