The Minnesota Vikings found a way to save their season by upsetting the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 22-17.
The Vikings came out of the gate poorly by throwing an interception on the third play of the game. Thankfully, they forced a Christian McCaffrey fumble just five plays later and scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
Throughout the game, the Vikings never felt like they left the drivers seat. The defense was pressuring Brock Purdy consistently and not allowing him enough time to drive the ball down the field on the in-breaking routes and crossers that Kyle Shanahan likes to throw.
The game itself provided many standout performances and we highlight them in this weeks studs and duds.
Stud: WR Jordan Addison
With Justin Jefferson out for the second-consecutive game, the Vikings needed someone to step up. Against the Chicago Bears, nobody really grabbed that spot, but Jordan Addison did against the 49ers.
His first target ended in an interception as Charvarius Ward and he repaid the favor by taking the ball away from him on his second of two touchdown receptions. He caught seven passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, cementing his place as a future star in the National Football League
Dud: RB Alexander Mattison
After being the bell cow for the first six games, Mattison didn’t have the most touches of any running back on the team. He started off the game with a 19 yard run but only had 23 yards on his other nine touches.
The biggest play for Mattison came on third down near the goal line. Kirk Cousins wanted him to sit in the hole in the zone and he kept running. A little thing, but having that awareness would have given the Vikings an extra four points, which would have kept the game out of reach at the end.
Stud: QB Kirk Cousins
There have been plenty of times where Kirk Cousins has deserved criticism this season. From his turnovers to lack of confident decision making, he has struggled this season at times to be consistent and aggressive.
On Monday night, he didn’t have any of those issues. Cousins played a near flawless game of football.
Going 35-of-45 for 378 yards, two touchdowns and an interception won’t tell the entire story of how good Cousins was. He maneuvered the pocket like a true professional and played his best game without Justin Jefferson and Addison missed nearly an entire quarter. He deserves every ounce of praise for this win tonight.
Dud: K Greg Joseph
After missing just one kick over the first six games, Joseph missed multiple kicks on Monday night. The first one was after the touchdown to Jordan Addison to end the first half, but the most important was the 50 yard field goal that would have put the game away. He has a tendency to push the ball from left to right and did so just enough to miss the kick. The Vikings ended up winning the game, but they were close to losing the game because of Joseph.
Stud: S Camryn Bynum
When the Vikings drafted Lewis Cine, the prevailing thought was he would end up replacing Camryn Bynum at some point in his rookie season. After seven games in the 2023 season, it’s becoming clear that the depth of the safety room is the main reason why Cine hasn’t played much this season, specifically Bynum.
He has been tremendous all season and that was epitomized on Monday night. Bynum not only had nine tackles and two passes defended, but he caused three turnovers against the 49ers, including the game-clinching interception with less than 30 seconds to go.
Stud: LT Christian Darrisaw and RT Brian O'Neill
The Vikings offensive line has been really good this season. Some haven’t been willing to quite go there yet, but the tape and metrics bear it out.
On Monday night, the Vikings offensive line put on a clinic, specifically Darrisaw and O’Neill. The Vikings offensive line only allowed pressure of 25% of Cousins’ dropbacks per ESPN Stats and Info. The Vikings have an excellent tackle duo and they played a major role in their victory on Monday.
