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Have I mentioned that I hate ties? Regardless of whatever bad taste that may or may not leave in your mouth, the Vikings players executed a pretty good game for about 58 minutes of the ball game last Sunday. And for the first time all year, the folks at Pro Football Focus have recognized not one, not two, but three Vikings players in their weekly "Team of the Week" for Week 12. It's kind of like a weekly Pro Bowl where they piece together the best possible NFL team based on their overall player grades from the week's slate of games. We had one representative from each phase in the game, so let's see what they had to say about this week's winners:
Full Back: Rhett Ellison, MIN (+3.9)
After his impressive rookie year Ellison has struggled to impose himself this year. Well not against the Packers as he showed why the team picked him to replace Jim Kleinsasser.
Ellison made some key blocks down in the red zone, especially on Peterson's touchdown run. He's consistently shown good blocking last year, and it's great to see him return to form here. Well done Mr. Ellison!
Cornerbacks: Corey Graham, BAL (+4.3) and Xavier Rhodes, MIN (+4.2)
Our duo took full advantage of some poor quarterback play, with Graham targeted three times, allowing zero receptions compared to one pass break up and two picks. As for Rhodes he gave up six catches for 40 yards, but also had himself four pass break ups in his best day as a pro.
Rhodes has seemingly improved each and every game this year and looks to be developing in a very good cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings. He had an outstanding game last week, and it will be a major loss if he has to miss any time for this week's game against the Bears after suffering a concussion against Green Bay.
Kicker, Blair Walsh, MIN: No longer a rookie, but still a weapon.
Walsh is finally healthy and back to booming kickoffs and punching field goals through the uprights all over the field.
This isn't the first time Vikings players have made the PFF Team of the Week, but it's the first time we've had more than one representative. If you've missed the others, check out which Vikings have made the cut in previous weeks:
Week 8: Kick Returner Cordarrelle Patterson
Let's give it up to our Minnesota Vikings players who are doing well during what is an otherwise disappointing season.