Vikings Making a Name for Themselves in NFC North
The NFC North appeared to be a one-team show at the start of the season. The Green Bay Packers were picked as the overwhelming favorites and have not disappointed at 6-0 to start the season.
However, in second place is a surprise with the Minnesota Vikings sitting just two games back at 4-2 and on a two-gaming winning streak after soundly defeating NFC North rivals the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
With a very balanced attack on offense, the Vikings accumulated 425 yards, which is their most since the first start for Teddy Bridgewater during Week 4 of last season. Minnesota won 28-19 on the road at Ford Field.
Running back Adrian Peterson did not play his best but nonetheless gained 98 yards. Bridgewater was able to take advantage of some miss matches as the Lions keyed more on Peterson. Peterson may have been close to 100 yards rushing but 75 yards came on just one play.
Bridgewater has 316 yards passing and made big plays that did not include Peterson.
The offense for Minnesota is becoming a run and pass attack and not just run and hopefully complete a couple of passes.
The Vikings attempted 35 passes while running the ball 34 times. Bridgewater completed passes to 11 receivers while five Vikings, including Bridgewater, ran the ball.
Minnesota has carefully rebuilt its personnel in its skill positions the last couple of seasons. Those efforts paid off on Sunday, especially when Stefon Diggs a rookie receiver hauled in touchdown pass of 37 yards with an acrobatic catch.
The win by Minnesota was its first win on the road versus an NFC North opponent since they defeated Detroit at Ford Field in 2012.
The start of the game did not look pleasant for Minnesota, giving up 14 points after just 12 minutes.
However, following that the Vikings gave up 7 points in the final three plus quarters.
Diggs is starting to get looks from opposing teams as he has caught 13 passes and 216 yards in just his first two games. He ran a sweep for 9 yards and could be seen blocking downfield on a catch and run by Zack Line. The Vikings would be crazy to take the rookie out of the lineup at this point.
The Vikings still must get more proficient in the red zone as they had just a couple of field goals after drives inside the 10-yard line of the Lions during the second half.
The defense gave Detroit fits following the first quarter with a total of seven sacks overall.
However, with some better execution on offense the Vikings margin of victory could have been closer to 20 points and not 11.
