Jordan Brailford, Cam Dantzler Have Standout Performances VS Jags
Kirby O'Connor
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The Minnesota Vikings seemingly did all they could to let a win get away from them Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. A pick six to start the second half, a botched exchange at the goal line, and letting the worst pass rushing team in the NFL record a season high four sacks while creating pressure all day. Granted, that was all without All-Pro Eric Kendricks, who sustained a calf injury just before gametime.
It truly was a sloppy win, but a win is a win and there were some things for fans to be excited about, especially for Minnesota’s young defense. Yes, Jacksonville’s offense is not great, outside of rookie running back James Robinson and some other bright spots at the skill positions, but a couple of rookies really flashed and made some excellent plays to help the Vikings seal the game.
Jordan Brailford Bursts on the Scene as a Top Rated Defender
Minnesota has been hurting for help at the defensive end position all season with Danielle Hunter’s “tweak” officially sidelining him for the season a few weeks ago, and new acquisition Yannick Ngauke being shipped off to Baltimore after a less than inspiring two month tenure in Minnesota.
This has led to a rotation of young, unproven defensive ends who have admittedly played well enough to keep Minnesota competitive and moving up into a playoff spot. Against the Jaguars however, Minnesota’s hand was forced when rookie D.J. Wonnum was inactive. Wonnum had been battling an ankle/back injury all week.
Wonnum’s injury opened up the door for second year man, and practice squad pickup from the Washington Football Team, Jordan Brailford to get his shot.
The crazy high Pro Football Focus rating is a product of a small sample size, but he played very well for the 11 snaps he was on the field. He caused Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon to fumble the ball on an attempted scramble, and he forced Glennon into the arms of fellow defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo for the Vikings first safety of the season.
This type of play shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise as Brailford has very explosive measurements and played extremely well for Oklahoma State in college.
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It was unclear coming into this season how Minnesota would handle the loss of Everson Griffen and Stephen Weatherly. The situation became muddier with the loss of Hunter. However, continued excellent play from Odenigbo, Wonnum, and Hercules Mata’afa has started to clear the waters. If Brailford can continue to play well in the rotation, it gives Minnesota a fearsome pass rush while waiting for next season where the best rusher in the game should return to lead them.
Cam Dantzler Continues His Growth
Early in the season, Minnesota was trying to find its footing with the cornerback position. Mike Hughes and Holton Hill were both playing poorly, and have since found their way onto the injured reserve. First round pick Jeff Gladney missed time with an injury.
This left rookie third rounder Cameron Dantzler in the spotlight. To say Dantzler performed poorly is a bit unfair. He played like a rookie who hasn’t adjusted to the speed of the game.
This is from Dantzler’s first NFL game. He’s not a speed guy and he needed to stuff the guy at the line of scrimmage to keep the footrace close and then turn and make a play on the ball. He turned his head at the right time, he just had already given up too much space to make a play on the ball.
That was the biggest criticism of Dantzler early in the NFL season. Lack of ball skills. Here are two plays the last two weeks that suggest otherwise:
Dantzler’s growth doesn’t just show in his film, it shows in his numbers. Per Spencer Thompson, @ThompsonNFL, on Twitter:
Against the Jaguars, Dantzler allowed just one reception for seven yards, which he forced a fumble on anyway.
The Vikings defense has a lot of developing to do, but if yesterday’s game is any indication, they have a couple of guys who are going to be much better than expected.