From the Inbox – by Craig Peters
Just a couple of quick observations from our Monday night win. In the first half, our O-line looked like it was having a tough time meshing, which was expected with the number of new pieces we added this year. They found it in the third quarter and started to look like the Minnesota Moving Co. that us fans were hoping for.
Our two-headed monster at RB is dangerous!! With Aaron Jones, Sr., catching passes and [Jordan] Mason hitting the interior hard, I expect great things from this group! Our WR group is the most talented group in the league, and they are going to get even better after Week 3 when Jordan Addison comes back. Welcome home to Adam Thielen!!!!!
J.J. McCarthy has IT. Poise, leadership, heart, ability and confidence. But I think most of all, after watching the team’s reaction after J.J. ran in the TD at the end, it feels as though his teammates have embraced him as their leader and will run through a brick wall for him.
And last, but certainly not least, our defense and special teams are outstanding! Andrew Van Ginkel almost got another pick six, the D-line is stout and will be very hard to run against. Myles Price and Ty Chandler in the return game are lethal, and Brian Flores is the best defensive coordinator in the game.
Quite a comprehensive recap from Jonathan here that highlights so many of the reasons Minnesota was able to execute the comeback against the Bears.
If one watched the first half, a logical person would draw a line to four of five offensive linemen who started not being here last year. Mainstay right tackle Brian O’Neill was joined by veterans Will Fries (RG), Ryan Kelly (C) and Skule (LT) and rookie Donovan Jackson (LG).
If one watched the second half, a logical person might not have believed there were four players among the five who were not here last season. It was a great debut for the interior of the offensive line, and the unit really put some nice things together the deeper the game went.
It was cool to see the plan for having “1A/1B” running backs. Both found ways to make a mark on the game, even though Chicago’s defense was pretty solid early.
The term “connection” is often used between a QB and receivers, and I believe in that sense the Vikings are still understandably developing it between McCarthy and a talented group.
The other sense of “connected” speaks to the bonds between a QB and teammates, and the initial signs that Jonathan mentioned bode well. The relationship building is already on a strong foundation. It’s obviously one start, and it definitely won’t be the end of challenges for McCarthy to overcome, but the demeanor and execution under stress were impressive.
The defense played a huge role by keeping the game within reach, particularly when considering seven points came off the pick six.
Side note: I don’t know if folks saw Jefferson’s media session on Thursday, but he took ownership that he needed to be more dialed in on his route against that coverage by the defense and run it differently. That’s good accountability from the superstar.
Back to the defense, what an effort, and it began with repeated interior pressures caused by newcomers Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. The front did a tremendous job against the run, too.
Sure, Caleb Williams did some damage on scrambles, but remove his 58 yards (which were problematic), and the Bears totaled 61 on 20 rush attempts (3.1 per carry). Flo’ started dealing.
What a debut for Price, and I love the above analogy by Daniels. Kudos to Chandler for toughing it out and taking care of the football during the final kickoff return.