Particular Defender Turns Back the Clock + Week 16 Takeaways
The Minnesota Vikings came out with a win against the New York Giants in their final home game of the regular season. After clinching the division championship, the games don’t have significant implications outside of playoff seeding. The Vikings are still in the second seed after their Week 16 win. Like always, there are a few big takeaways from the game.
Record-Breaking Day
A lot of different records were broken. Receiver Justin Jefferson got most of the spotlight. He entered the contest in reach of two franchise records for the most receiving yards and receptions in a single season. After the game, where he recorded 12 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown, he owns both marks, topping Hall of Famers Randy Moss and Cris Carter. Jefferson could very well be in the MVP conversation, especially if he can break the all-time record from Calvin Johnson. Even the 2,000-yard number is possible.
The wideout wasn’t the only one who set records. Tight end T.J. Hockenson had 13 catches in the win, the most in a game of all Vikings tight ends ever. He also added a pair of touchdowns, including one outstanding catch that reminded folks of the great Randy Moss.
Particular Defender Turns Back the Clock + Week 16 Takeaways
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Greg Joseph hit a 61-yard field goal, the longest in franchise history by five yards. That was not just a regular kick, as it was the game-winner in the game’s final seconds. Kevin O’Connell recorded his 12th win of the season, more than all other head coaches of the Vikings in their first season. Dennis Green had a record of 11-5 in his first season in Minnesota in 1992.
The team set another NFL record by winning the 11th one-score game of the season. O’Connell’s Vikings are 11-0 in such games. Last year, the Vikings were 6-8 in one-score games. Winning close games is a huge reason for the turnaround of the organization.
Rookie Is Getting More Run
Brian Asamoah, a 2022 third-round pick, entered his rookie campaign with low expectations because the team already had two veteran linebackers in place. Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks are no longer in their physical prime but have seen everything the NFL has to offer in their long careers and are still solid players. Asamoah started the year as a backup for the two and an important contributor to the special teams unit.
The linebacker played 45 snaps on defense in the first 14 games. However, in the last two contests, Asamoah appeared in a combined 48 snaps on defense. He is getting more playing time, and O’Connell even hinted that more is about to come.
Asamoah had a huge game-changing play when he forced a fumble and picked it up early in the second quarter. His speed and explosiveness will be a big factor in the upcoming years, and he will be a starting linebacker sooner rather than later.
Defense Is Still a Problem
The defense held the Indianapolis Colts in check in the second half of Week 15, but that is something that most teams can do. Against the Giants, the Vikings played at a familiar level. Daniel Jones and his Giants recorded 445 yards, the most the Giants had in a game all year. It’s not a great offense, so the Vikings’ defense should’ve been better.
One thing Ed Donatell’s defense is doing better than most is creating turnovers. Asamoah’s fumble and a Patrick Peterson interception were important plays and are critical if the Vikings want to continue their “bend-don’t-break” approach.
Duke Shelley Might Not Be a One-Hit-Wonder
Cornerback Duke Shelley was a 2019 6th-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears and appeared in 30 games for the NFC North team. After the 2022 preseason, the Bears cut their defender, and the Vikings signed him to the practice squad. Because of severe injury problems at the cornerback positions, Shelley had to step up. Dantzler was on IR, Akayleb Evans missed time with a concussion, and Andrew Booth was also hurt. Shelley replaced Booth in Buffalo and had some fantastic plays, especially a pass breakup in the endzone.
He then started against the Patriots on Thanksgiving and in Weeks 15 and 16. His play was eye-opening, and he looks a lot like a starting-caliber cornerback. In the game against the Giants, Shelley recorded nine tackles. Daniel Jones targeted Shelley in the passing game and connected eight passes on eight targets. However, Shelley was in perfect coverage on multiple passes, and the receiver just made a great play. It will be interesting to see if Dantzler will get his starting job back.
Hunter Is Still a Star
People doubted if Hunter would be the same after missing most of the last two seasons. The pass rusher only appeared in seven games in the last two campaigns. Another problem was the scheme change, and Hunter had to play the edge rushing position in a 3-4 after seven seasons in Mike Zimmer’s 4-3. He struggled in the first few games, but those struggles were expected.
Hunter recorded two sacks, four tackles, and an impressive nine quarterback pressures. Rookie right tackle Evan Neal was no problem for the defender, and he became a huge problem for the offense led by Daniel Jones. The former LSU Tiger is recently looking a lot like his prime version.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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