The Most Crucial Aspect of Vikings’ Win over ARI
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Before the game’s final drive, the Minnesota Vikings’ defense had not performed to its lofty 2024 standard.
The Most Crucial Aspect of Vikings’ Win over ARI
Of course, the defense wasn’t bad or anything of the sort on Sunday when the purple team defeated the Arizona Cardinals, but it did allow Kyler Murray and Co. to move the ball at will.
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
However, with the game on the line — and with the Cardinals needing just one field goal to escape U.S. Bank Stadium with a dub — the Vikings’ defense stiffened and allowed no positive plays. The drive was for all the marbles, and Minnesota’s suddenly suffocating defense on the last drive proved to be the most crucial aspect of the win.
Why? Well, Minnesota’s defense will be asked to do that again soon — probably in the postseason. The offense went to sleep for all of the 1st Half, operations ruined by Aaron Jones’ fumbles and the Cardinals’ blitz getting home.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
So, head coach Kevin O’Connell asked the defense to guide the ship, and with the game in the balance, the defensive playmakers stepped up, culminating in Shaquill Griffin’s game-winning interception.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted on Brian Flores’ bunch: “Describe the game in two words: Stepped up. That’s what the Vikings’ defense did after appearing to be worn down by the methodical Cardinals offense. Despite being on the field for a whopping 76 plays Sunday, the Vikes held Arizona without a net yard or a first down on its final possession.”
Griffin, the game-ending merchant, said after the win, “It just shows the type of work we do before these games. You can say, ‘Hey, man, Kyler’s gonna run around, don’t let him out of the pocket,’ [and] he still might get out of the pocket.”
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
“I’m not going to lie. I was tired, He was definitely making some plays. I had to make sure I locked in on the next one — if I was tired or not,” Griffin added.
It’s also worth noting that the Vikings’ defense still ranks first in the NFL per DVOA and EPA/Play through 13 weeks. The defense is certifiably Super Bowl-caliber, even if the offense sometimes flounders.
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Next, Minnesota hosts Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Cousins — the Vikings know him well — is coming off two utterly dreadful games. Minnesota will hope to make it three.
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.
