The 5 Main Takeaways from Vikings Win over SEA
The Minnesota Vikings toppled the 8-6 Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, their first win in Seattle since 2006.
The 5 Main Takeaways from Vikings’ Win over SEA
The Vikings now have a 13-2 record in 2024 — a season when they were supposed to win about six or seven games, according to oddsmakers.
The Vikings next play the Green Bay Packers at home, but before that, these are the five main takeaways from Seahawks-Vikings ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important takeaway).
5. Special Teams Majesty
Ryan Wright banged 6 punts on Sunday … for 300 yards. He averaged 50 yards per punt.
A single 50-yard punt would’ve been sweet. Instead, Wright maintained the lofty averages while driving 66% of punts inside the opponent’s 20-yardline. What a day.
Then, Will Reichard kicked perfectly and seems firmly back on track after the quad injury. Wright and Reichard received game balls from Kevin O’Connell — rightfully so.
4. Dallas Turner’s Continued Rise
Dallas Turner recorded an interception — a week after logging a sack against the Chicago Bears. He became the first rookie defensive lineman for the Vikings to record an interception in 21 years. The last guy was Kevin Williams, who turned out to be a stud for Minnesota.
The rookie EDGE graded a 91.3 from Pro Football Focus, which is just outstanding.
He doesn’t grab full-time snaps because of Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, but Turner is a total stud. Don’t forget it.
3. The JJets Game
Vikings fans waited for over three months on Jefferson’s signature game.
It arrived in Seattle.
The phenom playmaker banked 10 receptions for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s the highest-paid wideout in football, and Sunday was an example of why the paycheck is worth it.
After the game, Jefferson compared the 2024 Vikings to his 2019 championship LSU team. Those talkers are here.
2. Darnold Delivers in the Clutch — Again
Minnesota has asked Darnold to step up in the clutch about four times in 2024, and he has not disappointed.
The man is just plain good. He’s not playing above his means; the bottom won’t fall out. This is the Darnold who the New York Jets drafted six years ago. It just took a long time for him to develop and find the right coach and offense.
Darnold is cold-blooded in the clutch and will have the juice to produce in January. There are no more Darnold-related anxieties.
1. Homefield Advantage within Real Reach
Had Minnesota lost to Seattle, the homefield dream would be on life support.
Conversely, the Vikings have to win two more games — against hated foes — and if so, every eligible postseason game will occur at U.S. Bank Stadium. It’s there for the taking.
Think of it this way, as well: if Minnesota wins its next two games, it will play football in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
One Viking Got Kinda Screwed on Sunday
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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