New York Giants

Minnesota Vikings vs New York Giants Week 4 review and grades

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

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A review of the Minnesota Vikings matchup vs the New York Giants on MNF with positional grading and a peek at next weeks game against Houston Texans.

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) catches a pass against the New York Giants in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

It was not like the previous weeks sack fest against Cam Newton. Instead it was more of a beautifully choreographed defensive schematic that allowed the Vikings defense to shut down the three-headed receiving threat of Beckham Jr, Cruz, and Sheppard. Any team That feature a 2 time Super Bowl MVP at quarterback has to be considered a threat. Minnesota was able to neutralize the threat with its now dubbed “Purple Reign” defense.

Sam Bradford has now gone 3 games as Minnesota’s quarterback and has proven that he can sling the ball around the field and be mistake free in doing so. He has now gone over 120 pass attempts without a turnover. In the last 2 games Bradford has thrown 1 pass in each game that gave a defender a play on a ball but neither of them were intercepted.

Charles Johnson had 2 catches for 70 yards and Cordarralle Patterson equaled his catch total from the last 20 games in this game alone and are emerging as a reliable receivers to compliment Diggs and Theilen. To boost the offense even more Matt Asiata, Jerrick McKinnon, and the rest of the offense combined to rush for over 109 total yards for the first time this season.

This Minnesota Vikings team is finding success while still trying to find their full identity. The offense, totally revamped from the offense we were going to out on the field for the 2016 campaign, is getting contributions from all over the field. If this Minnesota Vikings team actually continues its current offensive upswing, the rest of the NFL should find itself on red alert. Or in typical Minnesota fashion on purple alert!

Here are the grades from the game:

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) celebrates with quarterback Sam Bradford (8) his touchdown against the New York Giants in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Quarterback Situation – Grade: B

Sam Bradford has been the quarterback all Vikings fans were hoping we were getting to fill in for the injured Teddy Bridgewater. Considering that the Vikings offense still had plenty of questions with Teddy at QB, it’s amazing to think that a whole new offense minus, not just Teddy, but also without AP, has managed to flourish in Norv Turners offensive system. The wildcat formations, popular in some offenses are over rated, it would be nice to see a flea flicker mixed in. Overall solid job just looking for advancement, it’s nice to see the ball being consistently spread to many different receivers, it adds to the overall team makeup this team flourishes with.

The O-Line Situation – Grade: B+

Consistent, a beautiful word to describe what the Minnesota offensive line has become. With the high price tag that was applied to “fixing” our offensive line woes, it’s nice to see some returns on that investment. Not to beat a dead horse, but it’s been much more consistent since Matt Khalil has not been able to play. A lot of expectations were not being met, it’s refreshing to see younger players being able to jump in and be contributors. It’s also nice to see that Alex Boone is starting to play at his highest level as a Viking, another return on a big investment full of expectations. Sam Bradford has to be starting to feel a much higher level of comfort behind his line, and it’s shown up in his performances as well, watching for plays to develop as opposed to making snap decisions.

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) talks with Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Giants 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Rushing Attack – Grade: B

Whereas it hasn’t hampered the Vikings ability to win games, it was nice to see the Vikings cross the 100 yard threshold for the first time this season. It’s refreshing the Asiata, McKinnon, and Line can be interchanged in rushing and pass protection so they can be in as a rusher, blocker, or just a decoy. It will be the consistent passing game that will allow for these guys to keep the chains moving in short and goal line situations. The Vikings have been so surprising that it’s hard to find too many negatives with this team. It’s becoming apparent that this team is built to win by using every bodies strengths, this will bode well for when AP comes back and draws in defenses once again!

The Ball Hawking Defense – Grade: B+

Wow! This unit keeps making elite quarterbacks look mediocre. It’s every level of the defense making big things happen. The pass defense has been insane, it has to be like playing Russian roulette every time a QB releases a pass. Overall the run defense has been strong but has been able to be over matched on a few occasions. Xavier Rhodes in particular had and amazing game holding down OBJ and securing a pick, while Linval Joseph was all over the place it seemed on the line. It’s a great situation when the entire defense can be trusted, great safety play and linebacker coverage bolster both the run and the pass defense. The defense would be even more productive if the offense can sustain longer drives, it’s no surprise Manning was able to march the field in the 4th Quarter as the defense saw extensive stretches of time on the field

Oct 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans cheer on their team against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams – Grade: B

Missed field goals are frustrating. The first couple frustrated the fan base, and the last one is finally starting to frustrate the coach. In reality there are no better kickers just waiting to be picked up, they would have already had meetings at Winter Park. Blair Walsh just needs to, literally, straighten himself out. The first game a field goal costs us will not be handled well by anyone, if It comes down to that fans will be in an uproar. Unfortunately it seems inevitable, unless he regains his form from before the fateful Seahawks miss.

CP has continued his special teams tear by this time terrorizing a punt returner into fumbling away a fair catch. If CP runs the ball out of the end zone and only makes it to the 15, It’s still satisfying knowing he gives 100% and that the next one will go to the 40.

The Fans – Grade A

It is loud in US Bank stadium! Insanely loud! It was an amazing experience and the fans got the Skol clap right on this week. The offense found it playing in a muted crowd, unlike the Green Bay game that frustrated the offensive line a bit. The support and belief in this team is growing. The Vikings ownership has truly built this franchise into what is developing into an elite situation. The fans are flowing in and standing proud.

Aug 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Grade vs the Giants – Grade: B+

Up next:

The Houston Texans come to US Bank stadium for a noon Sunday kick off. The first quarter of the Texans last game, against their division foe the Tennessee Titans, the Texans looked like a completely different team than the one that got drubbed by the New England Patriots during Week 3.

Brock Oswieller is nowhere near an elite QB but he does have several legitimate pieces on offense that can spread an undisciplined defense. In the Vikings they will be facing the epitome of an experienced defense.

Head coach Bill O’Brien has taken over play calling duties from his offensive coordinator and the first quarter against Tennessee showed promise. The Texans defense even without JJ Watt is formidable as their backfield has plenty of sure tacklers. The Texans are the best in the NFL at limiting yards after contact.

The Minnesota Vikings have receivers with differing abilities, Rudolph who has stepped up at the tight end position has been clutch at making big receptions providing a big target, and Johnson, Diggs, and Thielen have been big play stars all giving Sam Bradford multiple safe options. In the end Minnesota will overwhelm Houston to a final score of 20-10.