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Forum News Service's Robb Jeffries and Jason Feldman give their grades for the Vikings-Packers game.
Written By: Jason Feldman | Robb
Jeffries | Sep
14th 2020 - 3pm.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins
(8) is tackled in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank
Stadium in Minneapolis on Sept. 13, 2020. Brad Rempel / USA TODAY Sports
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Riley Reiff: The
Vikings’ starting left tackle was nearly cut two weeks ago. He was seen by many
fans and media as a replaceable piece in the offensive line, but he agreed to
restructure his deal, saving the team approximately $5 million in cap space. The Vikings’ line struggled in
Sunday’s loss, but Reiff wasn’t part of the problem. He more than held his own
against Preston Smith, and the one glaring play that occurred on his
side of the field — Jaire Alexander sacking Kirk Cousins for a safety — by all
accounts was a missed blitz pickup by Dalvin Cook. One last thought: What would
the Vikings' line have looked like if Reiff had not agreed to rework his
contract? — Jason Feldman
Special teams: The third phase of the game
is often overlooked, but on a day when the defense got throttled and the
offense couldn't bail them out, the Minnesota special teams units had a solid
day — or at least didn't get the team in trouble. One of Britton Colquitt's
punts left Green Bay with a relatively short field, but it's hard to blame him
when the ensuing drive went 11 plays for a touchdown. Dan Bailey made his
kicks, K.J. Osborn looked competent as a returner and the coverage units
prevented any big plays. — Robb Jeffries
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Cousins: The final line doesn't look too
bad — 259 yards on 25 attempts, 76% completion rate with a pair of touchdowns
and one interception — but looks can be deceiving. Much of Cousins' production
came with the game out of reach, and part of the reason the game was lopsided
was because he struggled to connect with his targets early on. Don't let Adam
Thielen's 6-110-2 line fool you, either, as both his touchdowns came in the
fourth quarter with Minnesota down by 19 and 17 points. — Jeffries
Vikings defensive line: It’s impossible to
single anyone out here because they were all invisible. Aaron Rodgers was
pressured twice. Twice. The Vikings threw all kinds of looks at the Packers —
even lining up Anthony Barr as an edge rusher at one point — and couldn’t get
to Rodgers. Danielle Hunter’s absence was noticeable, but if Minnesota can’t
figure out how to get to the QB, they’ll continue to leave a young secondary
hung out to dry. — Feldman
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to pass
in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings during their football game
Sept. 13, 2020, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Dan Powers / Appleton
Post-Crescsent-USA TODAY NETWORK
