Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Before the video game's last drive, the Minnesota Vikings' defense had actually not carried out to its lofty 2024 requirement.
One Of The Most Crucial Aspect of Vikings' Win over ARI
Obviously, the defense wasn't bad or anything of the sort on Sunday when the purple group beat the Arizona Cardinals, however it did enable Kyler Murray and Co. to move the ball at will.
With the video game on the line– and with the Cardinals requiring simply one field objective to get away U.S. Bank Stadium with a dub– the Vikings' defense stiffened and permitted no favorable plays. The drive was for all the marbles, and Minnesota's all of a sudden suffocating defense on the last drive showed to be the most essential element of the win.
Why? Well, Minnesota's defense will be asked to do that once again quickly– most likely in the postseason. The offense went to sleep for all of the 1st Half, operations messed up by Aaron Jones' fumbles and the Cardinals' blitz getting home.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell asked the defense to assist the ship, and with the video game in the balance, the protective playmakers stepped up, culminating in Shaquill Griffin's game-winning interception.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert kept in mind on Brian Flores' lot: “Describe the video game in 2 words: Stepped up. That's what the Vikings' defense did after seeming used down by the systematic Cardinals offense. Regardless of being on the field for a massive 76 plays Sunday, the Vikes held Arizona without a net backyard or an initially down on its last belongings.”
Griffin, the game-ending merchant, stated after the win, “It simply reveals the kind of work we do before these video games. You can state, ‘Hey, male, Kyler's gon na run around, do not let him out of the pocket,' [and] he still may leave the pocket.”
“I'm not going to lie. I was worn out, He was certainly making some plays. I needed to ensure I secured on the next one– if I was worn out or not,” Griffin included.
It's likewise worth keeping in mind that the Vikings' defense still ranks initially in the NFL per DVOA and EPA/Play through 13 weeks. The defense is certifiably Super Bowl-caliber, even if the offense often goes to pieces.
Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Next, Minnesota hosts Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Cousins– the Vikings understand him well– is coming off 2 entirely terrible video games. Minnesota will want to make it 3.
Dustin Baker is a political researcher who finished from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Sign up for his day-to-day YouTube Channel, VikesNowThe program includes visitors, analysis, and viewpoint on all things associated with the purple group, with 4-7 episodes weekly. His MIN fixation go back to 1996.
