In the course of the very first 5 weeks of the NFL year, fans have been waiting for the Minnesota Vikings defense to step up and make their presence felt. That’s particularly what transpired in Miami on Sunday as the Vikings gained 24-16 on the street, and they now head into their bye 7 days 5-1. They have not begun a period 5-1 considering the fact that 2016.
Though Skylar Thompson started the match for the Dolphins, he remaining early on with a hand damage, which permitted Teddy Bridgewater to appear in and acquire snaps. Overall, Bridgewater played properly, passing for 323 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Even so, the Dolphins also turned the ball above three instances in the course of the afternoon, and the Vikings pass rush recorded 7 sacks on the day. The trio of Danielle Hunter, Patrick Jones II, Za’Darius Smith each and every experienced a pair of sacks.
Also, the Vikings received a different remarkable video game from Patrick Peterson on the defensive facet of the ball. He recorded numerous move defenses all through the match, and he snatched a critical interception to shut down some final-minute heroics from Miami. In fact, the veteran Vikings secondary appeared to transform back the clock throughout the board as Harrison Smith also experienced an interception.
On the other facet of the ball, though, the Vikings offense seemed to sleepwalk as a result of the initially fifty percent of the match. Neither crew scored in the first quarter, and each of the Vikings first four drives ended in a few-and-outs. Nonetheless, breakout performs served spark a couple of extensive drives that led to touchdowns. Justin Jefferson recorded a pair of 20-property receptions on Minnesota’s 1st touchdown drive, a link concerning Kirk Cousins and Irv Smith. Immediately after that touchdown, the Vikings in no way trailed for the rest of the game.
Jefferson concluded the afternoon with 6 receptions and 107 yards. For the initial time in his occupation, he’s recorded 100+ acquiring yards in three consecutive online games. Following the touchdown, Greg Joseph hit a 34-property area target to get Minnesota into halftime top 10-3.
At the time again, the offense started out the second 50 percent bit by bit, and neither staff recorded details in the 3rd quarter. Minnesota has now scored just six factors in the 3rd quarter as a result of six weeks. This could be something to monitor relocating forward.
The fourth quarter, however, as all Vikings online games do, turned fascinating as the two sides exploded for a put together 27 factors. The 2nd Vikings landing of the quarter came as a end result of a 53-lawn hurry from Dalvin Cook dinner. This was a specifically distinctive score as Prepare dinner played his 1st NFL game in his hometown of Miami, and that landing put the Vikings up 24-10, ultimately sealing the gain.
The Vikings (5-1) now have a 7 days off as they prepare to host the Arizona Cardinals (2-3). Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins (3-3) glimpse to at last close their a few-match skid as they acquire on the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4).
Josh Frey is a Course of 2020 graduate of The College or university of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Artistic Producing as perfectly as minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon teaching, participating in movie video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his usually takes, NFL and otherwise, test out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.