Vikings look good in opening night rout vs. Saints
The Minnesota Vikings began the season with a 5-0 mark in 2016. It seemed everybody was buying into the notion that Minnesota could be the league’s best team with a punishing defense and complimentary offense that was doing just enough.
Then, suddenly, the offense was not doing enough and the team collapsed, finishing 8-8 and in this place of the NFC North, well out of a playoff spot.
Going into 2017, the Vikings completely revamped the offensive line. In fact, general manager Rick Spielman gave an overhaul that included new starters at each of the five positions, hoping to give Sam Bradford a bit more time and a lot more health. Additionally, the Vikings maintained continuity elsewhere, not changing much both in skill positions and defensive personnel.
While the long-term returns are yet to be known, the short-term answer is Spielman did a fine job. In their season opener against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, the Vikings answered the call with a resounding 29-12 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium. Bradford started slow but then caught forward toward the end of the second quarter and through the rest of the night, going 27-of-32 for 346 yards and three touchdowns, averaging a whopping 10.8 yards per attempt.
Bradford was sublime, and the receiving corps were gleefully scooping up stats. Stefon Diggs went for seven catches and 93 yards with two touchdowns, while Adam Thielen exploded for nine receptions and 157 yards on 10 targets. All this coming on a night when Minnesota honored former receiver Randy Moss with a Ring of Honor induction.
Defensively, the Vikings were fantastic. Minnesota only notched one sack of Drew Brees but was able to pressure him throughout the night. The Saints weren’t able to muster much offense even with a future Hall of Fame at the controls, keeping them out of the red zone on their first four red zone possessions.
New Orleans could do nothing in the run game, rushing 21 times for a paltry 60 yards. Without any push against a defensive line that includes Linval Joseph, Danielle Hunter and Everton Griffen, the Saints were forced into third-and-long situations far too often, resulting in a common outcome. Punting.
Next week, the Vikings will have a much tougher test, traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers at Heinz Field. There, another Hall of Fame quarterback will be waiting along with Martavis Bryant, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. Additionally, the Pittsburgh offensive line might be the best this side of the Dallas Cowboys, but Minnesota poses a real challenge.
If the Vikings can go into Pittsburgh and walk out with a victory, Minnesota will start getting into the contender conversation it belonged in last season before a tough ending ruined obvious momentum.
