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I apologize it has been a long time since I have written an article. I went on vacation, came back with COVID, had a pipe break in my house and am not living in a hotel while everything is being done. It has been a hectic 6 weeks since I have written an article. If you are superstitious, you probably hope I stay away since we haven’t lost a game since the last time I wrote.
Let’s get to the fun part and look at Sunday’s best performers.
Justin Jefferson
Jefferson had the best catch I have ever seen in my life. However, it wasn’t just that one catch. He was nothing but tough catches all game. 9 of his 10 receptions came with a completion probability of less than 50% according to Next Gen Stats. Everyone looked at this matchup as Diggs vs Jefferson and Jefferson won going away. It was a Randy Moss type performance, and the Vikes needed every catch. The stat line, 10 receptions for 193 yards and a TD, doesn’t even do him justice. He tied the NFL record for fewest games (42) to get to 4,000 career yards. He was amazing from start to finish in this one. Justin Jefferson is the career leader in yards per game with 97.0 yards per game. Julio Jones is 2nd ever with 90.1 (Jim Brim is technically 2nd, but he played 3 games). That is staggering. I know that might come down some as he ages, but he is off to the best start ever for a WR.
Justin Jefferson was responsible for nine receptions with a sub-50% completion probability, the most in a game by any receiver in the NGS era. No other player has had more than six.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 13, 2022
Jefferson (Today): 9 of 10 receptions sub-50%@JJettas2 | Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/kbY6hfSHiI
Justin Jefferson had the catch of the year AND the WR block of the year in the same game. Watch him spring Dalvin Cook's 81 yard touchdown run w/the outstanding block on the safety. @Vikings OL does their work giving Cook a massive alley to burst through. It's all beautiful pic.twitter.com/2MmPW3roa6
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 14, 2022
Patrick Peterson
P2 wasn’t his finest in the first half, but most of the team wasn’t that great either. He really showed up in the 2nd half and OT. The first interception was in the endzone in the 4th quarter with 10:27 left and the Bills up by 10. If he doesn’t get that, the game might be over. He also was aware enough to see some space and return it to the 39 to help setup a TD drive by the Vikings to pull within 4. His 2nd interception ended the game when it looked like the Bills were driving for a sure TD. P2 has stepped up big a few times, but none were bigger than this past Sunday. He got the chains on the plane as a reward for his efforts.
The "closer" Patrick Peterson with the Chains honor on the flight home pic.twitter.com/Hhz0PUYE43
— Phoenix (@dalvincookin) November 14, 2022
Dalvin Cook
14 carriers for 119 yards and a TD, 3 receptions for 27 yards. Cook brought the team back to life with an explosive 81 yard run (thanks to a nice block by JJ). He didn’t get a ton of opportunities this game, but he took advantage of most of them. He likely won’t be the player of the game because of his dropped potential winning TD when the Bills jumped offsides. He turned before he got the ball. I’ll take his spectacular catch last week and a bad drop this week. It all worked out for the best.
Kevin O’Connell
KOC has led this team from the worst finishing team to the best in 1 year. He knows how to manage a clock as well as anyone in the NFL. He doesn’t panic and neither does the team. He also isn’t afraid to go for it and push the gas when needed. I didn’t love the series at the end of the 1st half where it was 3rd and 1 and he called back-to-back low percentage pass plays. He assumed the defense would be overly aggressive and they weren’t. However, not everything has to work. He has a short memory and doesn’t let them one failure lead to him making poor decisions later in the game.
Kirk Cousins
Kirk wasn’t great for most of the game on Sunday. He had two bad interceptions. He’s part of the reason the team was down by 17 to begin with. However, just like KOC, you must give him credit for having short memory and coming back. In the past we’ve seen Kirk crumble once things start going South. This year is different, and he is a large reason this team is 8-1. I was not a Kirk fan heading into the season, but it is hard to watch this and not love it.
Poll
Who was the best for the Vikes on Sunday?
This poll is closed
-
93%
Justin Jefferson
-
2%
Patrick Peterson
-
0%
Dalvin Cook
-
2%
Kevin O’Connell
-
2%
Kirk Cousins
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