Different week, same script.
The inability of the team to dominate an opponent is an undeniable trend and is teetering on becoming the norm for the season. It's not bad since they do enough to have the advantage when time runs out but it still doesn't seem like a recipe for the highest levels of success. With one more tune-up game before the trip to Buffalo we won't have to wait too much longer for another litmus test of their capability. If that one goes like the Philly game then we'll know that they're good but not great.
As for today, Dalvin Cook & Za'Darius Smith were clearly the peak performers while several other members of the team had banner days. Among them, Harrison Smith secured the fifth most interceptions in franchise history while Adam Thielen moved into third place for most receptions, now within 90 of Randy Moss for second.
The defense may have been shredded by DeAndre Hopkins (12/159/1) but they did a fine job limiting Murray's ability to extend plays & pick up free yards. Can't stop every great receiver but showing the ability to impact a super mobile QB has merit which could bear fruit if the one loss gets revisited during the second season.
Not to ignore the obvious flaw or try to paint over it but at 6-1 Minnesota is a virtual lock for the postseason and has a chance to be a heavy favorite to advance. Whether Philly is solved between now & then or not, today's game would be invaluable experience against Jalen Hurts.
With those games in mind Minnesota may do well to reconsider the kicker as Greg Joseph continued to struggle. Missing a 56-yard field goal will happen but it seems that he's so in his own head about it now that he didn't even get the chance to miss left, right or short as the ball b-lined straight into a defenders helmet. Easiest "block" you will ever see. What's more, he doinked an extra point that kept Arizona's chance of coming back. Every person who follows the franchise has psychological damage from kickers of the past but he's already proving that he shouldn't be a lock to be the potential next one.
That's all for now
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