The Minnesota Vikings had the turnover bug bite them once again as they fall 21-20 to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.
Even with the turnovers, the Vikings had chances to win. They could have gone up nine instead of five but they kicked a field goal. They could have driven down the field and won the game with a field goal, but they stalled out.
Yes, there were some missed penalty calls and the defense played well, but the Vikings can only blame themselves.
Throughout the game, there were multiple good and poor performances. Here are the studs and duds from Sunday’s game.
Stud: OLB Danielle Hunter
Once again, Hunter looked like the best player on the field for the Vikings defense. He was wreaking havoc throughout the game against both the run and the pass. In thre red zone, Hunter got his 12th sack of the season which has him in second place in the National Football League. Hunter was driving the offensive line back into Russell Wilson all night and making plays everywhere. The Vikings need to find a way to re-sign Hunter this offseason.
Dud: CB Mekhi Blackmon
The Vikings surely missed Akalyleb Evans on Sunday night.
Early and often, the Broncos targeted Blackmon early and often. It paid off majorly throughout the game, especially on the final drive where Courtland Sutton beat him for a jump ball. It was a tough pill to swallow for a Vikings defense that was playing well all night and Blackmon looked very much like a rookie.
Stud: RB Ty Chandler
To be clear, things weren’t perfect on the night for Chandler. He missed a block that turned into an interception from Dobbs, but his explosiveness in the running game can’t be overlooked.
It’s not as simple as Chandler should play over Alexander Mattison, as the latter does many of the little things better. However, the explosive nature of Chandler as a running back has him deserving more touches moving forward.
Dud: C Garrett Bradbury
It was not a banner day for the offensive line on Sunday. The Broncos didn’t just have success rushing the passer but they made life hell for the Vikings’ offensive line. Bradbury was pushed around with consistency on Sunday night and it looked like the player for a few years ago rather than the improved player we have seen over the last year and a half.
Stud: OLB D.J. Wonnum
This offesason, I thought that the Vikings might part ways with Wonnum during final cuts because he hadn’t shown himself to be above replacement level.
I ended up being wrong.
Wonnum has seemingly taken a step forward this offseason and has started winning one-on-one reps with some consistency. He beat left tackle Garrett Bolles for a sack Sunday night and was a constant in the pass rush. Wonnum might not be on this team next year due to potential salary demands, but he’s been a valuable asset to the Vikings this season.
Dud: T.J. Hockenson
When the Vikings traded for and signed Hockenson to a big contract, they were looking for a constant at tight end. For the most part, they have gotten that. On Sunday, he didn’t perform up to those standards. Multiple times, the ball hit Hockenson in the hands and he wasn’t able to pull them in. Those misses ended up hurting the Vikings down the line and it was just a disappointing game from Hockenson.
Dud: S Josh Metellus
Metellus has been a catalyst for the success of the Vikings defense but he let them down when they needed him the most. On the last offensive play of the first half, Metellus dropped an interception in the end zone. The Broncos kicked a field goal on the very next play. One missed play doesn’t make a game, but they add up and Metellus’ dropped interception proved to be vital.
