Minnesota co-leader with Philadelphia
After ten days of the regular season, the Minnesota Vikings sit at the top of the NFC North division, with eight wins and only one loss (they were off for a week). Which is why they are now the best team in the NFL, tied with Philadelphia, the only team to have beaten them (24-7, on the second day). On their roster, the “Northmen” notably pinned Green Bay, Miami, Arizona and especially Buffalo, last weekend, considered the favorite to win the Super Bowl. Minnesota’s offense is efficient with an average of 355.8 yards gained per game and 25.1 points scored. On the other hand, the defense is more irregular, with 381.2 yards and 21.2 points dropped.
Cousins-Cook-Jefferson, nice offensive trident
For five seasons, Kirk Cousins (34) has been the Vikings quarterback. He was elected to the Pro Bowl twice in his career, the first with Washington, where he started in the NFL in 2012, the second with Minnesota in 2019. Cousins is having a decent season (2,356 yards, 14 touchdowns). He only threw more than 300 yards once, but that was against Buffalo. At his side is Dalvin Cook (27), the runner. In his last three seasons, he’s topped 1,000 yards. And this year, Cook has already won 727. But the pearl of the Vikings is receiver Justin Jefferson (23). In just nine games, he has already totaled more than 1,000 yards. Which makes it the No. 2 of the season, behind Tyreek Hill (Miami). Jefferson has been playing in the NFL and Minnesota for two years. Every season he went to the Pro Bowl. Last Sunday, he hurt Buffalo’s defense with 193 yards gained.
Justin Jefferson, the new North Star. (G.Fisher/USA Today Sports/Reuters)
Smith, defense leader
If the defense of the Vikings coughs a little at times, it still has some individualities. Starting with linebacker Za’Darius Smith (30). After passing through Baltimore and Green Bay (where he was twice elected to the Pro Bowl), he arrived this season in Minnesota. Smith has already split 9.5 sacks, including three against Arizona and Kyler Murray. He is the second best quarterback hunter this season, with Nick Bosa (San Francisco) and after Matthew Judon (New England). The “Northmen” can also rely on safety Harrison Smith (33), at the club since 2012 and author of four interceptions this season. Which ranks him among the best in the Championship. In his career, Smith has already been to the Pro Bowl six times and was included on the all-season team once.
O’Connell’s very good beginnings
At 37, Kevin O’Connell arrived this season in Minnesota. This is the first time he has served as the head coach of an NFL franchise. After a short career as a quarterback (two games played in the NFL in 2008), O’Connell began a career as a coach. He first coached the Washington QB’s, where he crossed paths with Kirk Cousins. Then Kevin O’Connell became the offensive coordinator of the US capital team and then that of the Los Angeles Rams. With them, he won the Super Bowl last season. Then took up the challenge of Minnesota where the expectation is enormous: a single NFL title, in 1969, no Super Bowl victory – four heavy defeats even – and an absence in the final which dates back to 1977. But, for the moment, O’Connell and his Vikings are all good.
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