So the Minnesota defence took control.
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Hill had the support of two defensive touchdowns and four field goals in guiding the Vikings to a 25-16 win Sunday, the first game for the Vikings since starter Teddy Bridgewater went down with an ACL tear and dislocated knee on a non-contact play in practice on August 30.
In the seven-minute span that decided things, the Vikings’ D recorded two sacks and forced three turnovers. “We’re just trying to be in the fight and keep our cards close to the vest”.
The defending NFC North champs needed the help from their defence in scoring 25 straight points after being shut out in the first half with the NFL’s 2015 rushing leader smothered.
Shaun Hill will be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Tennessee Titans, sources confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.
The Minnesota Vikings won’t announce their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game anytime soon, despite indications which way it appears to be going. When asked by a reporter if Zimmer simply asked him not to lose the game, Hill smiled. “He took care of the ball like we tried to do and offensively they did”.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) tries to get past Tennessee Titans defenders including Sean Spence (55) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Peterson would finish with just 31 yards on 18 carries. Then Murray lost a fumble. “It is a challenge, [but] not like it’s going to be where there’s two completely different styles”, Mularkey said. The throw to Diggs, midway through the fourth quarter as the Vikings drove for the fourth field goal of the second half by Blair Walsh, gained 33 yards.
Walsh had all off-season to dwell over the 27-yard field goal he shanked in a 10-9 loss to Seattle in the playoffs last January when holder Jeff Locke couldn’t spin the ball to get the laces out. His first field goal from 37 hooked wide left. He actually missed the 56-yarder twice after the first kick was wiped away by a pre-snap timeout from the Titans sideline. He finished the game with 4 made field goals on 6 attempts, including a 50-yarder.
Mariota was credited with two of the turnovers and only a roughing the passer penalty negated a second interception.
Cornerback Trae Waynes also fared well in his fill-in start after Xavier Rhodes hurt his right knee the morning of the game. Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan went down grabbing the back of his left leg, and he did not return with an injured left hamstring. The Vikings offense sputters under Shaun Hill, and despite it’s best efforts, the defense can’t carry the team to more than 5 wins.
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Mariota went 25/41 for 271 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while rookie Tajae Sharpe led the team in receiving with 7 catches for 76 yards.
