It had been rumored that Peterson actually met with Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer this week to express his displeasure with the limited workload against the Packers, especially in a game that was close until the latter stages.
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“We’re just in the driver’s seat right now”, Redskins defensive end Jason Hatcher said. Running back Jerick McKinnon gave Adrian Peterson some rest in the first half Sunday and looked quick and deceptively powerful running straight ahead. It was an ugly affair early on, both teams struggled to find their ways.
It was distressing sight as Ryan walked off the field following the 20-10 loss to the Vikings, a Pro Bowl quarterback staring at the Georgia Dome floor like he was looking for answers. Will Peterson still be running strong then?
The Buccaneers could have pushed into the sixth seed in the NFC, or at least into the conversation, but Jameis Winston was sacked five times, the offense ground to a halt, and the Colts continued their improbable win streak with Matt Hasselbeck at the helm. Defensively, Zimmer stayed aggressive, as usual, as the Vikings managed to apply ample pressure while taking Jones out of the game.
Maybe one of the reasons the Vikings’ defense has been so good is that they’re striving for perfection. If those three things are all working together, the Vikings are able to be successful. The force (Adrian Peterson) won convincingly on Sunday against the NFL’s best run defense in the Falcons. They are cementing themselves as a contender, arriving at the right time to show that they can play with the best of them. Stefon Diggs has been a revelation throughout the season. Atlanta has a top 10 passing defense.
Tevin Coleman, in for the concussed Devonta Freeman, gifted the ball back to the Vikings with a fumble shortly afterwards, but they just about survived when Teddy Bridgewater’s pass into the endzone was intercepted by Ricardo Allen.
Peterson’s 158-yard, two-touchdown performance was about all the Vikings needed offensively to defeat the Falcons.
Wilson threw three touchdowns to Baldwin, including an 80-yard catch-and-run score with 2:01 left after Pittsburgh had trimmed Seattle’s lead to 32-30. In all three of their losses, he has rushed for less than 100 yards.
The Seahawks had to overcome 456 passing yards from Ben Roethlisberger, who went 36 for 55 with a touchdown and also threw two interceptions.
No, the Vikings second-year quarterback didn’t throw for over 300 yards. The Vikings offense still goes as a Peterson goes, as has been the case seemingly since he entered the league.
If their first game against the Packers this season was any indication, the Vikings have plenty of work to do before the two teams meet again in Week 17. Their defense is fast, athletic and swarming to the football. And Coleman’s longest run – 46 yards – ended with an embarrassing turnover when linebacker Anthony Barr tracked him from behind and punched the ball out.
BRONCOS 30, PATRIOTS 24, OT – Tom Brady lost yet another one of his trusted targets and this time he also lost a game. He picked up the loose ball for a turnover.
Xavier Rhodes has progressed in his third-year as a pro.
The Vikings essentially did that against Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones.
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“You want to make plays”. None of the linebackers got so much as a quarterback hit, and the only good play I saw from any of them was a tackle for a loss by Kendricks.
