Packers vs Vikings Offensive Grades

(by Travis Aune MSU Founder)

The Vikings completed the most significant victory of the season on Sunday with a win over the Packers 23-10.  There is no doubt this game would have gone a little different if Aaron Rodgers would not have gotten hurt.  Especially on the defensive side of the ball, there is a difference between facing Aaron Rodgers and facing Brett Hundley.  The only thing that is important in my mind was that the Vikings are now 4-2 instead of 3-3.

QB Case Keenum  B

On the contrary part, Keenum continued his inconsistent lack of accuracy.  However, it is what it is he puts up substantial numbers as an injury replacement.  It will be interesting if he feels pressure with Teddy Bridgewater returning to practice after fourteen months.  Keenum went 24-38 for 239 yards with a touchdown and his first interception of the year.  Keenum has done a stable job replacing Sam Bradford, but he has to see number five looking over his shoulder.

RB Jerick Mckinnon  A-

Mckinnon continued his strong play since the injury to Dalvin Cook.  The most significant thing is he has shown more toughness at the point of attack and not going down without a fight.  In this game, he overcame some adversity to put up a good game.  He had his first fumble of the year as the Vikings were driving early to try to put the Packers away.  He had that and overcame it to put another good performance together.  Mckinnon ran the ball fifteen times for 69 yards and caught five passes for 30 yards for 99 yards from scrimmage.  Mckinnon is a scat back that when he is right will be right in the passing and running games.

RB Latavius Murray  D

Through five games I have seen nothing that says this guy deserves to be getting 50-50 carries with Mckinnon.  In this game, he had fifteen carries for just 28 yards a 1.9 average compared to 4.6 for Mckinnon.  Mckinnon is not a big running back, so you need some timeshare.  Hopefully, Murray can improve, but last week he looked a step slow.  I don't know if it is still his ankle surgery, but until he improves he should not be starting.

WR Adam Thielen   A-

Thielen continued his strong start to the season with Stefon Diggs out for the game he became the focal point, and he did not disappoint.  Thielen caught a game-high nine passes for 96 yards a 10.7 average.   He is a catching machine that if the ball is close to him, he usually receives it.  On the season now Thielen has 38 catches for 488 yards.  The question is through the first six games is he headed to the Pro Bowl.  The only thing holding him back is he has not caught a touchdown as of yet after getting five touchdowns last season.  Whatever the case Adam Thielen is having an outstanding season.  Take away that fumble against Detroit, and you could argue he is having an all-pro season.

WR Laquan Treadwell     B

Treadwell slowly but surely is becoming a big part of the Vikings offense.  After only catching one pass in his rookie season he is gradually coming on in his sophomore season.  This was by far his best year of his career, and I would give him an A for the game, but he had an illegal crackback block that pushed the team back fifteen yards.  Honestly, I did not think it should be a penalty on Quan.  By rule, it is a penalty if you hit someone in the neck or head and to me, it was clear he hit his shoulder on the defender's shoulder.  They say it was helmet to helmet, but after looking at the film, I just don't see it.  Other than that he had three receptions for 51 yards including an acrobatic catch where he jumped and stuck his arm in the air and tapped it to his other arm which made it spectacular.  He had three catches against Pittsburgh in week two but then didn't have a reception until Sunday, so he needs to follow it up.  With Stefon Diggs likely to miss Sunday Quan has a chance to make a spot for himself in this offense.

TE Kyle Rudolph    A-

After getting off to a terrible start, Rudolph has come on like a world beater.  In this game, he had five catches for 47 yards on an impressive nine targets.  It is nice to see that Rudolph has developed a rapport with Case Keenum.  It is also nice to see Rudolph come back from a slow start.  After only getting a combined three catches against Tampa Bay and Detroit he bounced back and has eleven catches the last two weeks.  He is a pro bowl caliber TE, so it is nice that he is coming back around because the TE is so vital in this offense.

LT Riley Reiff        A

Reiff continued his strong play on the left side as he had another LG next to him and the fact that the offensive line did not give up the sacks.  He continues to be the leader of the offensive line, and I am not sure if he has given up a sack.  That was a very shrewd signing by Rick Spielman.

LG  Jeremiah Sirles  B

I have nothing wrong to say about Sirles as he outplayed what Nick Easton has done for the Vikings.  If it were me, I would replace Easton with Sirles as he at worst equal to Easton.  At best he is superior to Easton, and it's evident that he is much better at guard than he was at tackle and I am pleased that he has figured it out.

C  Pat Elfein   C

Elfein had the worst game of his career as he had a lot of trouble with Packers DT Mike Daniels which should not be a surprise. He also had a penalty when he was illegally downfield.  However, that had the more to do with Keenum being slow on a screen, so it wasn't his fault.  Games like this will help Elfein in the long run.

RG  Joe Berger   B

It was a case where Berger's name wasn't called because he does a good job where he keeps the defender away from the quarterback, so there is nothing to criticize.  I always say if the guy's name is not called he is doing his job.

RT  Mike Remmers  C

The same continues for Remmers where he let guys get past him.  Keenum helped him by using his mobility to avoid the sacks.  The Mike Remmers experiment is not satisfactory.  Remmers and Nick Easton have struggled while the other three have done well.  Overall, though the Vikings offensive line has been much better this season.