Purple Positives: Vikings Bring the Music in Nashville
The Vikings predictably ascended to 8-2 with a 23-13 victory over Will Levis and his now 2-8 Tennessee Titans. In a game that was more of a return to the form of the early-season Vikings, it was a game where the score didn’t tell the whole story.
While it was a double-digit victory, ten points isn’t an obliteration. However, if you watched the game (you likely did), then you’d know that the score didn’t do justice to the Vikings’ performance.
So what is there to take away from the Vikings (and the purple faithful in attendance) showing up big-time in the Music City?
“Good” Sam Darnold Reappears
Darnold led the way for the Vikings offense in a game where the rushing attack never got going. Darnold completed a fine 62.5% of his passes (20 out of 32) for 246 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Darnold’s turnover woes were in full effect going into Sunday, as he has thrown seven interceptions in the last three contests and six total turnovers (five interceptions and one fumble lost) coming in the last two.
Darnold looked more like the quarterback we saw in September, throwing the ball with intention and evading pressure at an elite level. The only true blemish of his game is a fumble that he recovered anyway, as well as a botched pitch to Aaron Jones in the backfield that was just slightly off-target and led to a lost fumble but is a turnover credited to Jones and not Darnold.
Justin Jefferson Makes History (Again)
Justin Jefferson is good. Really good. In one of my previous pieces, I explained that Justin Jefferson would probably make history against the Titans, and he did just that.
Going into the game, Jefferson needed just 55 receiving yards to surpass (should-be Hall of Famer) Torry Holt for the most receiving yards by a player in their first five career seasons in NFL history, a record that Holt held with 80 games played. Jefferson did it in 70.
Jefferson walked out of Nissan Stadium with 81 yards on six catches, a win ‒ and with NFL history.
Brian Flores’ Defense Has A Day
The Vikings’ defense has responded well since their iffy performances in their two-game skid against Detroit and the LA Rams but have since corrected ship over the last three exhibitions.
In a game that saw Andrew Van Ginkel and Pat Jones II each get two sacks and three tackles for loss, the Vikings’ defense totaled five sacks and ten tackles for loss and only allowed 33 rushing yards on 1.7 yards per attempt.
Minnesota also only allowed 11 Tennessee first downs on 11 total drives, and the game was sealed for the good guys when ol’ reliable Harrison Smith intercepted a Will Levis prayer ball into triple coverage.
Honorable Mentions
Ryan Wright had a day that mirrored his rookie season, with five total punts, including one touchback and three inside of the 20, with one punt being an absolutely marvelous showcasing of how to cover a punt by Trent Sherfield Jr.
Jordan Addison flashed his big play ability with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold for the Vikings’ first points of the game. Addison finished with three receptions for 67 yards on eight targets, with three of the targets being in the end zone. His eight targets tied his season-high alongside Week 5 in London against the New York Jets. This was also the fifth time he has had three receptions in a game this season.
Brandon Powell’s impressive display of athletic ability early in the fourth quarter on his one reception for 13 yards on the day deserves a mention.
