The Minnesota Vikings rebounded in Seattle against the Seahawks on Saturday night with an overall improved performance. During a first quarter in which the Vikings offense (AWOL last week) ran only three plays, the team still went into the lockerroom at halftime with a 13-0 lead. A dominating defensive performance and improved offense in the second quarter put the team on top for good in the 20-7 victory.
The defense came to play against Seattle and pitched a first half shutout that included a four-play goal line stand from the two-yard line.
Offensively the team looked better than last week—but were still unable to get into the endzone until there were two minutes left in the game—a 36-yard run by RB Tristan Davis. There was another TD that was fumbled away when Emmanuel Arceneaux caught a pass from third QB Joe Webb and was on the two yard line when the ball was stripped and fumbled out of the back of the endzone. Arceneaux was not bathed in warmth of his head coach’s gaze when he returned to the sidelines.
The Vikings special teams also played well all night. The Seahawks returned three punts for five yards and an average of 1.7 yards. Head coach Leslie Frazier’s message earlier in the week that special teams would help decide position battles apparently was taken to heart.
The Vikings were aided by a struggling Seahawks team, but much credit goes to a complete performance by the Vikings. Players of note included QB Donovan McNabb, who was 6 of 8 for 81 yards; DB Marcus Sherels who went from the doghouse (fumbled punt return) to the penthouse (a pick six four plays later); and the defensive line which had Seahawks QB Tarvaris Jackson on the run the entire first half.
Regarding Jackson, who had his best moments with his feet, his 11-21 for 75 yards night might have reminded Vikings fans of some performances from the past. Jackson extend a couple series by scrambling twice for 12 yards, but he also ended a few with his patented jump pass that fell to the earth. To be fair, the Seahawks’ young offensive line could not handle the Vikings first team defensive line, and Sherel’s interception was a good pass by Jackson that bounced off Golden Tate’s hands and into the Vikings’ lap.
The bottom line is that the Vikings are in good hands with McNabb at QB while Christian Ponder and Joe Webb learn the position. There should be no regrets for the loss of Jackson, but there may be some from Sidney Rice, who chose to leave Minnesota to catch passes from Jackson. He caught 2 for 11 yards on Saturday, but spent more time blanketed by CB Chris Cook, who had a nice bounce-back performance for the Vikings.
Vikings QB’s spent more time throwing to RBs and TEs (Kyle Rudolph made another nice catch of a low McNabb pass) than the wideouts, so their battle will rage on another week (although Arceneaux didn’t do himself any favors by coughing up a fumble near the goal line).
The offensive line, save for a blown assignment or miscommunication on the left side that lead to an early hard sack of McNabb, played better than last week. Scott Kooistra got the start at right guard over Chris DeGeare, Ryan Cook and the scratched Anthony Herrera, still coming back from injury.
Little was settled at the safety position as Mistral Raymond dropped a sure interception in the endzone and also may have missed an assignment on the Seahawks lone score. Sherels may have helped himself at CB with a very good game, even without the TD and despite the fumble. He made numerous plays on defense and was active the entire first half.
Few players played themselves in or out of roster spot, but the Vikings have to make decisions regardless, cutting the roster to 80 players this week. The good news is that the team, as a whole, played better this week than last. It’s better in general that the coaches make decisions over better play than poor performances next week.
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