The Vikings Lastly Received the Monster Recreation

Steve Roberts-Imagn Pictures.

When the Minnesota Vikings used a first-round decide on Jordan Addison final yr to offer Justin Jefferson a top-class operating buddy, the imaginative and prescient was two nice extensive receivers dominating collectively. It took some time, however the Vikings lastly acquired the Jefferson/Addison monster sport, and so they noticed their offense dominate the opposition.

The Vikings Lastly Received the Monster Recreation

Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons marked the primary time that Jefferson and Addison each went over the 100-yard mark in the identical sport — with the small matter of 5 receiving touchdowns because the cherry on prime. Addison had 12 targets, which was a career-high, and caught 8 of them for 133 yards and three touchdowns. He additionally almost caught one other deep ball from Sam Darnold regardless of move interference from former Viking first-round decide Mike Hughes. The penalty gained the Vikings 47 yards and arrange their second landing.

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Jefferson caught all seven of his targets for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It was the primary time Jefferson had a number of landing catches since Week 4 of final season in opposition to the Carolina Panthers. There was numerous discuss lately about defenses selecting to both let Jefferson have a giant day or promote out guarding him and let others have large days. What we noticed on Sunday was what occurs when each Jefferson and Addison have large days. The Vikings offense appears unstoppable.

It didn’t finish with the 2 extensive receivers; RB Aaron Jones had 84 yards from scrimmage and a speeding landing. After drawing a clean within the first half, TE T.J. Hockenson had a string of vital catches for the primary down, totaling 45 yards. The ultimate scoring drive began with Cam Akers operating everywhere in the Falcons and ending with 37 yards at 7.4 yards per carry. There was additionally a 26-yard reception for Josh Oliver, and we noticed the perfect of this Vikings offense led by Darnold.

Finish of the 40-Level Drought

Sunday’s 42-21 win over the Falcons marked the first time the Vikings have scored 40+ factors in a sport in 5 years. The final time it occurred was in opposition to the Detroit Lions again in 2019. It was the primary time since Kevin O’Connell took the job of Vikings head coach that his group had topped 40 factors. For a group that’s famend for its explosive playmaking means, that’s one thing of a shock.

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There are two causes it occurred on Sunday. First, the offense stayed constant all through the sport and made large performs after large performs. Second, the Vikings completed the sport sturdy with touchdowns on their final 4 significant drives. They did one thing they’ve usually didn’t do and completed the sport on offense. Minnesota has usually had a fourth-quarter lead and couldn’t put groups away and allow them to get again in.

The Customary Has Been Set

Coach O’Connell uttered an important line throughout his post-game locker room speech. “That’s the standard. That you guys went out and set.”

We’re into the enterprise finish of the season with 4 common season video games left and nearly definitely playoff soccer forward for the Vikings. It’s the Chicago Bears this week, adopted by one other group the Vikings might probably play within the playoffs (after the Cardinals and Falcons), the Seattle Seahawks. Minnesota finishes the season in opposition to Inexperienced Bay and at Detroit. Two big video games that will probably be just like the playoffs come early.

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The offense’s means to repeat the extent of efficiency they confirmed on Sunday will go a good distance towards figuring out how profitable the Vikings are going to be over the remaining video games. The power to get Jefferson and Addison flying whereas backed up by Jones and Hockenson will give any group a headache.

Can the Vikings repeat that high-powered offensive efficiency? It must turn into extra of the norm relatively than an outlier. The Vikings are adequate to realize that.