Mike Zimmer said he watched his Minnesota Vikings grow a bit on Sunday.
Faced with another set of key fourth-quarter series, Minnesota earned a 29-26 win against Washington. This time, the offense came through with several big drives, scoring three second-half touchdowns which erased deficits. The defense held again by stopping Washington on fourth-down.
"I always love to prove people wrong, and hopefully the team does too," Zimmer said after the game. "Everybody said we can't win games in the fourth quarter after losing that Buffalo game, but we've won two games in the fourth quarter now at the end. That's a credit to our resiliency and the way that we work."
Minnesota heads into its bye at 4-5 and with momentum on its side following two straight wins.
Here's how the Vikings graded out in each phase in Sunday's win:
Pass offense: B
Improvement was made on Sunday, in particular with the way rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater moved in the pocket and found open receivers downfield. Bridgewater missed a few deep passes early, overthrowing Cordarrelle Patterson and Greg Jennings on the first series, but came back and was effective after Zimmer implored Bridgewater to let it loose and use his legs.
Bridgewater completed 14 of his first 24 passes for 102 yards and was sacked twice before Zimmer talked to his rookie quarterback. Following Zimmer's talk, Bridgewater was 12-of-18 for 166 yards, one touchdown and three runs for 20 yards. Bridgewater deftly moved around the pocket and wasn't sacked again in the game.
Receivers were open against Washington's secondary and Bridgewater found them. Greg Jennings caught six passes for 76 yards. Tight end Chase Ford had another strong game with five catches for 66 yards and his first career touchdown reception.
Patterson only had one catch, on a slant for nine yards, among seven targets. Bridgewater and Patterson aren't on the same page. Bridgewater was 1 of 7 targeting Patterson and 25 of 35 on pass attempts to everyone else.
Bridgewater came through with another show of progress. His effectiveness wasn't limited to two-minute situations, but he still looks his best when given the chance to hurry and get the ball out of his hands quickly. He finished 26 of 42 for 268 yards passing and didn't commit a turnover for the second straight week.
Run offense: B
The struggles on offense early were particularly noticeable in the running game. The Vikings ran for 14 total yards in the first half. Minnesota ran the ball seven times in the first half compared to 28 pass attempts.
Rookie Jerick McKinnon and backup Matt Asiata had their chances in the second half. The Vikings ran for 86 of the total 100 yards in the second half. McKinnon did the work in the middle of the field and Asiata finished drives. Asiata had the third three-touchdown game of his career.
McKinnon finished with 14 carries for 54 yards and Asiata added 10 carries for 26 yards. Bridgewater also got into the act in the second half with his 20 yards rushing after escaping the pocket.
Pass defense: B
Take some good with the bad. Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III returned to the lineup and looked strong in his first game since Week 2. Griffin avoided pressure several times and ended up finding receivers. Washington receiver DeSean Jackson also did what he does, stretching the field and beating defenses deep.
Minnesota had limited big plays this season. Jackson had receptions of 56 and 45 yards, finishing with four catches for 120 yards.
The Vikings defense held though. Minnesota sacked Griffin five times. Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn had a key interception after Bridgewater missed a pass on fourth-down. Munnerlyn's interception turned the tide and the Vikings offense started to click after Munnerlyn's play.
Facing a big fourth down late in the game -- just like the team had against Buffalo -- this time Minnesota came through. Griffin's pass was low and missed his target and the Vikings were able to run out much of the remaining clock. Washington finished with 225 yards passing.
Run defense: C
Almost the opposite of Minnesota's running game, Washington had success early behind Alfred Morris, but was limited late as Griffin took to the air more often.
Morris had 50 yards on his first nine carries as Washington took control early. Morris finished with 19 carries for 92 yards, including two touchdowns. He was untouched on a 14-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Griffin added seven run for 24 yards as Washington finished with 122 rushing yards and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average.
Special teams: B
A solid game overall, but nothing spectacular. Minnesota had another penalty on special teams. The Vikings have had a special teams penalty in all but one game this season. Punter Jeff Locke had a decent day overall, but did place a touchback on a key fourth-quarter punt.
Locke ended up with a 40.5-yard gross average and 37.0-yard net average. Kicker Blair Walsh didn't have a field goal attempt and placed three of his five kickoffs for touchbacks. Minnesota did allow Andre Roberts a 45-yard kickoff return.
Minnesota couldn't get much going in the return game. Washington kicked away from Patterson early. But he ended up with three kickoff returns for 70 yards, a 23.3-yard average, and still hasn't broken a return open like he did so often last year.
Punt returner Marcus Sherels had one return for eight yards, but also muffed a return.
Overall: B
Zimmer was pleased with the progress of his team and felt the Vikings continued to work through some adversity in Sunday's game. Minnesota was plus-1 in turnover margin. Zimmer won't be happy with nine penalties for 60 yards.
But the Vikings have won two straight games going into their bye, earning them an extra day off this week from Zimmer. Minnesota will have a chance to rest and recuperate -- with tight end Kyle Rudolph possible to join the team after the bye -- and have the softest part of its schedule ahead. The development in Zimmer's first season as coach is continuing.
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