4 Silver Linings for the Vikings Despite Their Disappointing Loss
The Minnesota Vikings lost their regular season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
While a 20-17 score in favor of the Bucs is a very disappointing outcome for Minnesota to start the season, there are still some positives for the Vikings to start this season.
Here is a quick look at 4 silver linings for the Vikings despite a very ugly loss.
1. Vikings Defense Played Very Well
Vikings fans were often able to point blame at their defense for games that they lost in 2022, but such was not the case in Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite three turnovers, including one that directly set the Buccaneers up in field goal position, Tampa Bay scored just 20 points in this game. The Buccaneers also averaged just 3.5 yards per play.
Despite the addition of Brian Flores at defensive coordinator, there were plenty of questions regarding Minnesota’s defense coming into Week 1. Granted, the Buccaneers offense isn’t a group that many expect to set the world on fire in 2023, but this is still a positive start for this Vikings defense.
Heading into a short week against the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota is going to need their defense to step up in a big way once again in order to stop Jalen Hurts.
2. Jordan Addison Looks Like the Real Deal
The Vikings made Jordan Addison their first-round selection in April because they had faith that he would immediately make plays at the NFL level. The rookie WR didn’t take too long to prove the front office and coaching staff correct.
In his NFL debut, Addison caught 4 of his 6 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. That TD catch was a breakway 39-yard reception where the receiver showed off his speed to get behind the Tampa Bay secondary.
With Adam Thielen no longer in Minnesota, the Vikings need Addison and Osborn to take pressure off Justin Jefferson at the WR position. So far, the plan for Addison seems to be working.
3. Akayleb Evans Appears to Have Taken Another Step Forward
The Vikings entered the 2023 season with a major question mark at their cornerback position. Behind Byron Murphy, there was very little NFL experience on Minnesota’s depth chart, and they would be relying on some very young players to give them snaps.
In Week 1, Akayleb Evans got to make his third start of his two-year NFL career, and he made the most of it. The young CB made a couple nice pass breakups, including a huge hit on rookie WR Trey Palmer to knock a potential first-down reception out of his hands.
4. Greg Joseph Didn’t Miss Any Kicks
If you told Vikings fans that they would lose by three against Tampa, many probably would have asked, “did Greg Joseph miss a field goal?” It would be a valid question. In 2022, Joseph was a very erratic kicker at times, missing seven field goal attempts and a league-high six XP attempts.
That being said, Joseph did not cost the Vikings in any matter on Sunday. He was a perfect 3/3 on his kicks, gettting off to a strong start in 2023. Minnesota will need him to continue that on Thursday against Philadelphia.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
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