12 Snap Reactions after Vikings at Titans

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (27) lands in the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images. Each week, we offer a “snap reactions” piece detailing thoughts and analysis after the latest Minnesota Vikings game. 12 Snap Reactions after Vikings at Titans This will be off-the-cuff, a wee bit random, and hopefully insightful. The Vikings won on the road Sunday afternoon over the Tennessee Titans 23-13 and are owners of an 8-2 through 11 weeks. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images. 1 — Oddsmakers expected the Vikings to win six or seven games maximum this year when the regular season kicked off, and they’ve won more than that two weeks before December. What a wonderful outcome for a season that many considered flyover country. 2 — Sam Darnold bounced back nicely in Week 11 after a horrid game last weekend. He needed it. The ball came out of his hands a lot quicker than usual, and the difference was noticeable. 3 — Minnesota’s win over Tennessee was the year’s last “easy” game. The last three weeks have felt like “gimmes,” to an extent, and now those are over. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images. 4 — Jalen Nailor’s dropped touchdown should’ve blown the game open, making the score 30-13 and feeling like a borderline route. But he showed why he’s a WR3 and not a WR2. Next time, he absolutely has to come down with that catch. Darnold’s throw was perfect. 5 — Tight end Josh Oliver continued his three-game hot streak, oddly getting attention in the offense the moment that T.J. Hockenson returned. Hockenson will hit a groove before too long, but employing two dependable tight ends is really sweet. Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images. 6 — The referees missed another facemask on Darnold against Tennessee, three in the last month. It almost feels like a comedy bit at this point. However, on the whole, the Titans were on the wrong end of the stick on several penalties. Their fans should be livid. 7— Minnesota’s ground game was not efficient — 33 carries for 82 yards — but credit to playcalling for sticking with it. It kept Tennessee’s defense honest, and it’s what good teams do in a game like Sunday’s. 8 — Andrew Van Ginkel and Patrick Jones II had 2 sacks and 3 tackles for losses — apiece. They made plays all afternoon, and these types of games explain why Dallas Turner doesn’t get much playing time. The “other” guys are already productive. 9 — Will Levis played quite well, and all things considered, he might have some staying power in the NFL if developed properly. He certainly has the arm strength necessary to succeed in the league for a long time. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images. 10 — Minnesota would have to finish the season 1-6 or 0-7 to miss the postseason. Think about that for a moment. The purple team will return to the playoffs. 11 — Jordan Addison is a marvelous playmaker, and it was sweet that the Vikings decided to involve him more in the offense on Sunday. Keep it up. 12—Third-down efficiency started splendidly for the offense in the first half but then tumbled thereafter. The Vikings offense finished 5 for 14 on third down, and that will need improvement against good teams in December and January. Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.