Five Thoughts From Yesterday’s Win

Sam Neumann   |  

Oct 10, 2016

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Reddit
• Share on WhatsApp
• Copy Link

  Link Copied

1. This is starting to sound like a broken record.

Gathering my thoughts following the Vikings’ 31-13 win over the Texans Sunday, I realized they’re basically the same as they have been most of the season; great defense, a virtually mistake-free Sam Bradford, a big play on special teams, and another round of injuries that would seem a lot worse if they ever had an impact on the outcome of a game. The Vikings are now the lone undefeated team in the NFL, which is a nice place to be heading into a bye.

I don’t know what else to say other than this team is damn impressive. It’s gotten to the point where I expect them to score on offense, am shocked if the defense gives up points on a given drive, and I feel reasonably comfortable the team will hold leads in the second halves of games. We have to be ready for bumps in the road—at some point, the offense will turn the ball over—but the team is good enough in all three phases, it feels like they’ll be able to overcome a lot of miscues. Who knows, maybe they’ll eventually run out of offensive linemen, and maybe a missed kick will come back to haunt them. But for now? Let the good times roll. The Vikings are the best team in the NFL.

2. Thielen, one of us, torches the Texans.

As I often joke, it’s hard to come up with things to say about Adam Thielen that don’t sound like white receiver cliches, so I won’t try. But man, what a day for the undrafted kid out of Mankato State (I will not call it Minnesota State or whatever they’re trying to sell, and that’s final). Starting in place of the injured Stefon Diggs, Thielen had 7 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. With this banner day on top of an already solid season, Adam Thielen is making a case to start across from Diggs in two-receiver sets on a weekly basis. I know they like a player in the big-bodied mold on one side of the field, but it’s hard to see how Charles Johnson brings more to the offense than Thielen at this point.

3. Blair didn’t miss.

I usually find a way to point it out when he does miss, so it’s worth noting that Blair Walsh was perfect on the day, making his only field goal and all four extra points. It might not seem like a big deal, but this was a positive step forward. 

4. Patterson with the offensive touchdown.

And the metamorphosis from the pouty, maligned player of 2015 to two-phase, game-altering switchblade is complete. Cordarrelle Patterson, always a dangerous kick returner, has settled into a role as a punt team gunner and is now getting serious use on offense as well. His impressive touchdown catch in the fourth quarter was his first offensive score in nearly two full years, and we’re finally beginning to see his special talent being utilized as a receiver and runner. In the past two weeks, he has 9 catches for 77 yards, that alone shattering his lowly offensive numbers from last year. Norv Turner is moving him around and using him in creative formations, something we’ve been screaming about for a long time. I don’t know what changed, but better late than never.

5. Zimmer for president.

If I seem to be losing my mind, it’s because I’m finishing this post while watching the presidential debate. I’ve heard the jokes about Zimmer for president and seen the t-shirts, but, in all seriousness…can we? I don’t care about his experience or policies or any of that. I would vote for him tomorrow. Zimmer 2016.

Etc.

Some didn’t like it when the team kicked a field goal rather than go for it on fourth and goal from the one, but I thought Souhan summed it up nicely:

Yes, the defense is that good. Sometimes it can even seem unfair.