10 Specific Vikings Numbers: Giants Win & Packers Preview

Meet the Frontrunner
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Now that the dust has settled on a wild Christmas Eve game, we’re passing along 10 notable Vikings numbers after the win over the Giants. These numbers go in both directions, looking back at the most recent game while also looking ahead to the upcoming opponent: the Green Bay Packers.

The Vikings Numbers

1) 16 & 16

Both T.J. Hockenson and Justin Jefferson had 16 targets in this one, meaning the WR1 and TE1 combined for 32 of Kirk Cousins’ 48 passing attempts.

As we all know, Jefferson deserves a ton of attention. What’s not as obvious, perhaps, is who will be the next man up in the passing game. In the Colts comeback, that man was K.J. Osborn. More recently, it was Hockenson, who played exceptionally.

As long as there is at least one great option beyond Jefferson, the Minnesota offense is dangerous.

2) 445

Another week, another game where Ed Donatell’s defense gives up a pile of yards.

How Much Can the Vikings Secondary Give?
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Thankfully, the consecutive 400+ yard games streak ended last week when the uninspiring Colts offense couldn’t surpass 400 yards. Unfortunately, the date with Brian Daboll’s Giants meant that the opportunity is there to create a new streak of 400+ yard games.

Next up is Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, a team that is on a three-game winning streak. Oh, and that game takes place at Lambeau.

3) 3/11, 27.3%

Given the lofty yardage totals, how did Donatell’s defense hold the Giants to just 24 yards?

Well, the turnovers did help. What also helped was the third-down defense. New York only converted on 3 of 11, which works out to 27.3%. Being good at the right time can make a difference when a team isn’t good all the time.

4) 4.6 & 4.3

The above numbers are the per-carry averages for Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.

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The Packers have talent on their defense, but their run defense leaves something to be desired. They’re 4th-worst in the NFL by allowing an average of 5.0 yards per carry. One has to think that Kevin O’Connell will look to lean on his run game, especially since Lambeau in January can be a bit chilly.

5) 10.5 and 10.0

Those are the sack numbers for Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith. They’re #1 and #2 on the team.

Coming into the season, I predicted they’d combine for 30 sacks. That somewhat lofty projection is nearly dead, but it has still been a nice year for those two. Hunter had a pair of sacks against the Giants.

6) 4 and 14

Patrick Peterson – who is 32 – is up to 4 interceptions and 14 passes defended in 2022. He has been playing excellently. He nearly surrendered a long TD pass to Christian Watson in the first Packers game; expect Rodgers to challenge the veteran deep at some point.

7) 61

I mean, I couldn’t get through the list without giving Greg Joseph a shout out for that insane kick, right?

8) 8

I saved 8 for point #8 as we offer some praise for Kirk Cousins, who wears number 8. Take a look at the tweet:

Not sure what else to say, folks. As I’ve said at various points, wins are a QB stat. Cousins is playing well. Not perfectly, but well.

9) 91.3

PFF gave Brian Asamoah a 91.3 grade for his work against the Giants. That’s an elite grade. Obviously, there are different ways to assess a player’s performance, but the advanced stats add further weight to what a lot of people have been seeing: the rookie LB can play.

10) 21/32, 281 yds, 2.2 TDs, and 0.6 INTs

Those are Cousins’ numbers – on average – across his 9 games against the Packers.

How the Vikings Could Play Packers in the Playoffs
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Given the play from the defense, it looks likely that Cousins and the Vikings offense will need to have a great day in order to go get win #13.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference, NFL.com, and PFF helped with this piece.

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