Vikings Stock Market Report: Browns Edition

The Vikings lost what turned into something of an old-school defensive battle that resembled an NFC Central division game from the 1970s. The Vikings lost the game in the trenches, as the offense struggled to get their run game going, while Kirk Cousins was under pressure nearly every drop back after the first drive. Meanwhile, while the Vikings defense held the Browns to just 14 points, they also allowed them to possess the ball for over 35 minutes. And, if not for a truly awful performance from Baker Mayfield, the Browns may have won by a bigger margin. As it was, the game came down to the last play, on which the Vikings fell short, as did the officiating crew, who missed an obvious defensive pass interference penalty.

Be that as it may, it was a hard fought but fairly dull game against a Browns team that has a pretty solid roster, with few weak spots outside of quarterback. The Vikings defense, with some assistance from Baker Mayfield, did a good job of keeping the Browns out of the end zone. If not for a questionable holding call on Eric Kendricks, on a 4th and goal stop, the Browns may not have gotten in all afternoon.

Offensively, this was easily the best overall defense the Vikings have faced, and may face the rest of the season. The offensive line wasn’t quite up to the task, and after the first drive, were getting pushed back consistently the rest of the afternoon. And with the offensive line struggling, so too did Kirk Cousins and the rest of the Vikings offense.

With that, let’s look at individual performances. Not a lot that stood out today, but here goes.

Blue Chip Stocks

Justin Jefferson. While it was a tough day for the Vikings passing game, JJ still managed 6 receptions on 7 targets for 84 yards and a TD- most of those receptions were tough catches too.

Patrick Peterson. Peterson has had a better start to his Vikings career than he gets credit for, and against the Browns Peterson allowed just a 52.1 passer rating when targeted.

Danielle Hunter. Hunter led the team with 7 pressures including a sack, facing a tough matchup in Jack Conklin most of the time.

Everson Griffen. Griffen had 5 pressures including a sack on about two-thirds of the pass rush snaps as Hunter. Griffen has done well the past couple games, which is good because D.J. Wonnum has not.

Solid Secondary Offering

Cam Dantzler. He didn’t get the start, but he played most of the game in relief of Bashaud Breeland, who was sick. He had been listed as questionable with an illness earlier in the week. Dantzler did pretty well in coverage and also had some good plays in run support. There’s been some drama with Dantzler stemming from what seems to be his dissatisfaction with Breeland being brought in and displacing him as a starter after a very good second half to his rookie year. Dantzler appears to be working back into Zimmer’s good graces, and hopefully his performance against the Browns will lead to his regaining his…