It seemed like a low point when the Minnesota Vikings allowed 40 points to the winless Atlanta Falcons in Week 6, but they might’ve found a new low in New Orleans. The Saints moved the ball at will on the ground and were not forced to punt all game. Their 52-33 victory puts the Vikings on the cusp of a long offseason.
HOW’D THE OFFENSE DO?
Once again, it’s hard to put too much on the offense when the defense permits 52 points. Minnesota battled offensively throughout the afternoon, played turnover-free, and went 5-for-5 in the red zone. Irv Smith Jr. scored two touchdowns on well-devised goal line throws, Mike Boone scored his first touchdown of the year, and Dalvin Cook added his 16th.
There were still a few nitpicks, though. Kirk Cousins got heavily pressured on some key third downs that resulted in punts, the pre-halftime hurry-up drill was a mess, and there weren’t many home runs to create explosive plays. Still, 33 points against a good defense is quality. Cousins has appeared more and more frustrated the past several weeks, perhaps revealing his angst at how little margin for error the offense has.
HOW’D THE DEFENSE DO?
Christmas ended on a sour note for Vikings fans that were subjected to their performance. Mike Zimmer’s allowed over 250 yards rushing for the first time in his coaching tenure, and his defense wound up on the wrong side of history as Alvin Kamara tied a league record with six rushing touchdowns.
No level of the defense was immune from poor tackling, which plagued the Vikings as New Orleans amassed a stupefying 6.4 yards per carry before kneel-downs at the end. Veterans safeties Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith were particularly disappointing, capping a down season for both, especially Harris.
Eric Kendricks‘ four-week absence was sorely felt as the Vikings allowed 174 yards per game on the ground in his absence. Minnesota started rookie UDFA Blake Lynch and Hardy Nickerson Jr. at linebacker alongside Eric Wilson, who missed good chances at two interceptions on the day.
All told, New Orleans tallied 583 yards, the most allowed by the Vikings all season and the most gained by the Saints.
SPECIAL TEAMS REPORT
Dan Bailey kept his job by making five kicks the previous week, but he missed another extra point Friday against the Saints, going 3-for-4. With the team’s Week 17 game rendered meaningless, however, Bailey will likely retain his job into the offseason.
Harrison Hand continued his strong play as a punt gunner, adding an interception on defense in the game as well.
BIG PICTURE
After climbing back to reach the .500 mark in Week 13, the Vikings’ final record may end up looking the way it was destined to early in the season. They’ll need to beat Detroit Sunday to avoid a 10-loss season, and they have serious questions to answer about their defense going forward.
