National Football League
Vikings report card: Ace job on offense against Falcons
National Football League

Vikings report card: Ace job on offense against Falcons

Published Sep. 29, 2014 2:28 p.m. ET

The Minnesota Vikings effectively turned the page in Sunday's 41-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons.

After two weeks of tough losses, in varying ways, and dealing with off-field issues regarding star running back Adrian Peterson, the release of veteran receiver Jerome Simpson and several injuries, the Vikings went on the field and were able to put it all behind them.

There were mistakes, particularly on defense, in Sunday's win, but with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater performing well in his first NFL start, a revitalized running game and the defense coming up big when needed, the Vikings could savor a win and forget about the past two weeks.

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Here's how Minnesota graded out in each phase in Sunday's win:

Pass offense: A

Not bad for a first start. Bridgewater threw for 317 yards on 19 of 30 passing on Sunday in just his second regular-season game. The 317 yards were the most by a Vikings rookie in his first start and the second-most ever by a rookie quarterback in team history.

Bridgewater's 98.9 quarterback rating is the highest in team history for a rookie in his first start. His 19 completions were the most in team history for a rookie making his first start. Early on, Bridgewater was able to establish a rhythm as offensive coordinator Norv Turner started with quick passes and receiver screens to get the quarterback going.

But Bridgewater wasn't a caretaker on Sunday. He opened up the passing game as well, averaging 10.56 yards per attempt. He had six completions of more than 20 yards. After Atlanta had taken a 28-27 lead, Bridgewater led Minnesota down the field with a 29-yard completion to Greg Jennings, a 22-yard strike to Cordarrelle Patterson and a 15-yarder to Jarius Wright.

Bridgewater wasn't sacked as the offensive line responded following a pair of tough games. Bridgewater also didn't commit a turnover, as the Vikings finished plus-2 in turnover differential.

Wright had a breakthrough game with eight catches for 132 yards. His 52-yard catch and run on a screen on the first series helped set the tone for the game and for his emergence along with Bridgewater. Jennings added three catches that went for 72 yards.

Run offense: A

The biggest difference on Sunday might have been Minnesota's success running the ball. The Vikings hadn't been able to establish any consistency on the ground in Peterson's absence. The offensive line opened up big holes and the running game complemented Bridgewater as Minnesota gained 558 yards of total offense.

Matt Asiata had his best game of the season in carrying 20 times for 78 yards, but the bright spot was the big plays made by rookie Jerick McKinnon. McKinnon's first carry of the game went for 55 yards. It was the Vikings' first offensive play of the second quarter.

McKinnon ended with 18 carries for 135 yards in his most extended action of the season. Bridgewater also showed his athleticism, escaping pressure several times -- some impressively with spin moves -- and ran five times for 27 yards. Minnesota tallied 241 yards on the ground and scored four rushing touchdowns. Bridgewater's first NFL touchdown was a 13-yard scramble and Asiata pounded in three touchdowns.

Pass defense: C

Coach Mike Zimmer noted a few "boneheaded" plays by the defense on Sunday. The first, and biggest, was allowing Atlanta receiver Roddy White to easily walk in for a 24-yard touchdown in the first quarter as cornerbacks Captain Munnerlyn and Josh Robinson both tried to jump a fake screen to Julio Jones.

Devin Hester got free on a 36-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown, too, as quarterback Matt Ryan seemed to have his way with Minnesota's pass defense in a true shootout game. Ryan finished 25 of 41 for 298 yards passing, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked once.

Ryan helped the Falcons go 10-of-15 on third downs, including five conversions from at least third-and-7. Stopping Atlanta and getting off the field on third downs was the biggest deficiency for the Vikings on Sunday.

But late in the game, Minnesota's defense did answer the call when needed. On a big third-down attempt, after retaking the lead, Anthony Barr had a sack of Ryan. On the next possession, Harrison Smith came up with an interception. Josh Robinson added an interception on the final play of the game.

Cornerback Xavier Rhodes had one of his best games, too, breaking up four passes and providing coverage on Atlanta's talented receivers, Jones and White. After catching four passes for 50 yards in the first half, Jones had two catches for 32 yards in the second half.

Run defense: C

One of the other "boneheaded" plays came in run defense. Speedy back Antone Smith got outside the Vikings' defense for a 48-yard touchdown run. It was a rare big play on the ground for the Falcons. Minnesota allowed 123 yards rushing on 22 carries, a 5.6-yard average.

However, minus Smith's big run, Atlanta had 21 carries at a 3.6-yard average. The Falcons' running game was little threat coming in with starting running back Steven Jackson not the player he once was. Jackson finished with 13 carries for 49 yards, including an 11-yard run. The Vikings' defense was able to bottle up any ground game for Atlanta, minus Smith's big run.

Special teams: B

Minnesota earns a "B" on special teams, despite a missed field goal and shanked punt. Kicker Blair Walsh's first field-goal attempt of 49 yards went wide right into the open end of the stadium. He then went on to make four straight attempts, including a 55-yard conversion into the same end of the stadium that had been tricky earlier.

Walsh also had six touchbacks to avoid giving Hester too many chances. Hester had three kickoff returns for 62 yards. Jeff Locke only punted twice, giving Hester one chance at a return for 16 yards.

Locke's day wasn't spotless. His first punt of the game went for just 24 yards. However, he added a 62-yard punt later.

Marcus Sherels provided a couple of big punt returns, averaging 19.5 yards on two returns. Patterson averaged 43.0 yards on two kickoff returns.

Overall: A

A strong offensive game plan helped Minnesota beat the Falcons, who had been impressive the previous week on Thursday Night Football and had extra time to prepare. But Atlanta isn't the same team on the road, having lost nine of its last 10 away games now. Minnesota's impressive offensive output came without Peterson, tight end Kyle Rudolph and right guard Brandon Fusco.

Third downs were crucial, on both sides of the ball. The Vikings' offense was 6-of-13 on third down, while the Falcons were 10-of-15. Minnesota won the turnover battle and penalties weren't a big issue. The Vikings had six penalties for 40 yards. Minnesota also led in time of possession, 32 minutes, 52 seconds to 27:08, to keep Atlanta's high-powered offense off the field.

 

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