National Football League

Minnesota Vikings: Monday Night Proves Team is For Real

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Minnesota Vikings proved once again in 2016 that they are good on both sides of the ball, dominating the New York Giants in NFL Week 4

Yes Eli Manning, the Minnesota Vikings have your number.

There’s no shame in to admitting it; two Pro Bowl quarterbacks before Monday night’s game felt the wrath of the purple and gold of Minnesota. Fortunate enough for Manning, the plays on the other side of the didn’t come at his expense.

Surprisingly the Giants offensive line did a respectable job of keeping their quarterback upright against Minnesota’s vaunted defensive line. From Odell Beckham allowing his emotions to get the best of him and running a half-hearted route resulting into an interception, to the Dwayne Harris fumble, it was everyone else but Eli making mistakes.

Sure Manning made some questionable throws, but so did Sam Bradford. Minnesota was just the team with the least mistakes.

The Vikings watched their offense march into the end zone on three different occasions, the first time this season that Minnesota didn’t receive scoring contributions from the defense or special teams.

Bradford found nine different targets on the night, finally getting Charles Johnson and Cordarrelle Patterson involved. Johnson brought in two well placed deep balls, while Patterson created most of his damage through screens.

The Vikings defense was as good as advertised, but this time it was the offense that carried the team to victory. Here are three stars that stood out from the Giants and Vikings battle.

Three Stars

Jerick McKinnon, Vikings – This is the first time on the season that the Minnesota Vikings went over 100 yards on the season. All fairness to the Vikings, this was probably the worst defense they’ve seen all season. McKinnon led the way with 18 carries 85 yards, and 1 TD, to go with 3 catches for 10 yards. “Jet” provides a dynamic completely different in comparison to Adrian Peterson, the Vikings will be fine with this guy toting the rock.

Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings – As a gunner, yes a gunner, Patterson reached in and caused a fumble on the first punt return of the game by Dwayne Harris. C.P. also was heavily involved in the offense with 5 catches for 38 yards and 1 rush for 2 yards. Also receiving an end zone target in which resulted in a defensive pass interference, it’s relieving see Minnesota exhausting every option to create offense.

Xavier Rhodes, Vikings – All “Rhodes” were closed Monday night, even when OBJ comes to Minnesota. The Vikings No. 1 corner shut down Kelvin Benjamin last weekend and did the same to Beckham Jr. to the tune of three catches for 23 yards, the lowest yardage total of the receiver’s career. In the process, Rhodes also snagged his first interception of the season on an errant throw from Manning. In his fourth year, Rhodes is really starting to show his lock down capability no matter the opposition.

Highlights

Next Game

The New York Giants hit the road for their second straight game as they head to Green Bay to take on the Packers, which is set to be the Sunday Night Football game at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Minnesota stays home for the second straight game before heading to a bye week, they will host the Houston Texans on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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