The Minnesota Vikings were quite great in their Week 10 win over the Atlanta Falcons; key players made plays at crucial times to secure the 24-14 win. Though the win was a team effort, the snap counts and Pro Football Focus grades showed some individual performances that all made the difference in the outcome.
Even while the Vikings’ offense turned most often to its feature go-getters, several players up and down the defense worked extremely significant numbers in the victory. Certainly, quarterback Kirk Cousins spent about the entire game under center after snap; obviously so- with much of the key role up and down the game controlled well by him to top targets wideout Justin Jefferson and tight end T.J. Hockenson for distribution.
On defense, linebacker Eric Kendricks played on 95% of the team’s snaps, including most of the defensive snaps and making plenty of tackles in the process-vesting him as a continued top priority for the unit. Meanwhile, Danielle Hunter, who drives opposing quarterbacks bananas game after game, also tallied up a high snap count with 85% participation, netting a sack and numerous pressures.
Rapid Reviews PFF Grades
Pro Football Focus grades often tell more about how well the game is being played outside of traditional statistics. And in this Falcons win, some specific players really stood out.
- Kirk Cousins – QB – 79.5 PFF grade
Cousins had another efficient outing, with a good 79.5 grade from PFF. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 265 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. His deep throws were accurate, but it was his quick decision-making and consistency in the short and intermediate games that helped the Vikings control the tempo. His 79.5 grade reflects his ability to move the ball and avoid costly mistakes. - Justin Jefferson, WR – 91.0 PFF grade
Jefferson reaffirmed why he is one of the better wideouts in the league, grading at 91.0 for the week. On eight receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown, Jefferson was able to display excellent route running and the ability to make up the catch after the catch. He was instrumental in third-and-long situations for the Vikings. - T.J. Hockenson, TE – 85.6 PFF grade
Hockenson proved why the Vikings traded for him from Detroit this season, grading a high of 85.6 from PFF. He caught six passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, doing much of the heavy lifting on Cousins’ end.
Hockenson’s blocking ability helped to open up the Vikings’ running game, as well, and balance out their attack. - Danielle Hunter (DE) – 88.2 PFF grade
But on defense, Hunter was relentless in the pass rush. He posted a sack and two QB hits and several pressures to garner an elite 88.2 grade. His disruption of the Falcons’ offense and the consistency with which he applied pressure to quarterback Desmond Ridder were huge reasons for Minnesota’s victory.
Victory over the Falcons showcases an excellent team to execute on all sides. Strong individual performance was reflected through snap counts and a PFF grade – essential in securing the win. Going forward into the Vikings’ quest in the playoffs, star players like Cousins, Jefferson, and Hunter will be expected to keep up such high performances.
