DAILY CLIPS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

LOCAL NEWS: Monday, October 29, 2018

Pioneer Press

Vikings receivers ‘let the team down’ with critical errors in loss to Saints By Jace Fredrick https://www.twincities.com/2018/10/28/vikings-receivers-let-the-team-down-with-critical-errors-in-loss-to-saints/

Vikings’ Stefon Diggs runs out of miracles By Bob Sansevere

https://www.twincities.com/2018/10/28/vikings-stefon-diggs-runs-out-of-miracles/

Vikings’ clock management leaves something to be desired late in loss to Saints By Kevin Cusick https://www.twincities.com/2018/10/28/vikings-clock-management-leaves-something-to-be-desired-late-in-loss-to-saints/

Vikings’ Everson Griffen back on the field, and that’s the best news of all By Bob Sansevere

https://www.twincities.com/2018/10/28/vikings-everson-griffen-back-on-the-field-and-thats-the-best-news-of-all/

Costly turnovers sink Vikings in 30-20 loss to Saints By Chris Tomasson

https://www.twincities.com/2018/10/28/vikings-kirk-cousins-adam-thielen-commit-costly-turnovers-in-30-20-loss-to-saints/

Vikings say six sidelined starters wasn’t the problem in loss to Saints By Chris Tomasson https://www.twincities.com/2018/10/28/vikings-say-six-sidelined-starters-wasnt-the-problem-in-loss-to-saints/

Star Tribune Plenty of blame to go around after Vikings' lethargic Sunday night defeat By Jim Souhan http://www.startribune.com/plenty-of-blame-to-go-around-after-vikings-lethargic-sunday-night-defeat/498860841/

Stefon Diggs says his failure to complete crossing route led to Saints' pick-six By Mark Craig http://www.startribune.com/mark-craig-stefon-diggs-says-his-failure-to-complete-crossing-route-led-to-saints-pick-

six/498861531/

Miracle-free zone: Saints capitalize on Vikings' turnovers to win 30-20 By Ben Goessling http://www.startribune.com/miracle-free-zone-saints-capitalize-on-vikings-turnovers-to-win-30-20/498852871/

Everson Griffen feels the love in his return to the field By Andrew Krammer http://www.startribune.com/vikings-everson-griffen-feels-the-love-in-his-return-to-the-field/498852641/

Saints defense grabs starring role from Brees By Chip Scoggins http://www.startribune.com/saints-defense-grabs-starring-role-from-brees/498860881/

Tracking Kirk Cousins By Andrew Krammer http://www.startribune.com/tracking-kirk-cousins/498859161/

Vikings' statistics don't matter in loss to New Orleans By Sid Hartman http://www.startribune.com/vikings-statistics-don-t-matter-in-loss-to-new-orleans/498858611/

Five extra points: Treadwell's temper made a bad play worse By Mark Craig http://www.startribune.com/vikings-5-extra-points/498859491/

Stefon Diggs on the Minneapolis Miracle, his growth as a receiver and more By Ben Goessling http://www.startribune.com/stefon-diggs-on-the-minneapolis-miracle-his-growth-as-a-receiver-and-more/498834771/

Vikings.com

Monday Morning Mailbag: Defense's Strong Night, 4th Down Decisions, More By Mike Wobschall https://www.vikings.com/news/monday-morning-mailbag-defense-s-strong-night-4th-down-decisions-more

Action Reaction: Vikings Manage Absence of Barr & Rhodes to Limit Saints Offense By Craig Peters https://www.vikings.com/news/action-reaction-vikings-manage-absence-of-barr-rhodes-to-limit-saints-offense

Vikings React to NFC North Standings at Season’s Midpoint By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-react-to-nfc-north-standings-at-season-s-midpoint

Vikings Defense Contains Brees, but No ‘Moral Victories’ in Tough Loss to Saints By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-defense-contains-brees-but-no-moral-victories-in-tough-loss-to-saints

Offensive Mistakes Doom Vikings in Primetime Loss By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/offensive-mistakes-doom-vikings-in-primetime-loss

Everson Griffen Emotional, Rusty in Return to Field for Vikings By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/everson-griffen-emotional-rusty-in-return-to-field-for-vikings

5 Takeaways from the Vikings Loss to the Saints By Mike Wobschall https://www.vikings.com/news/5-takeaways-from-the-vikings-loss-to-the-saints

Saints Down Vikings 30-20 By Craig Peters https://www.vikings.com/news/saints-down-vikings-30-20

Vikings List of Inactives Against the Saints on Sunday Night By Chris Corso https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-list-of-inactives-against-the-saints-on-sunday-night

How to Watch & Listen to Saints at Vikings in Week 8 By Craig Peters https://www.vikings.com/news/how-to-watch-listen-to-saints-at-vikings-in-week-8

VIKING Update Vikings implode with critical mistakes in 30-20 loss to Saints By John Holler https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Vikings-implode-with-critical-mistakes-in-30-20-loss-to-Saints-123952797/

Notebook: Griffen happy to be back with teammates, fans By John Holler https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Everson-Griffen-happy-to-be-back-with-teammates-fans-123953221/

Young, undrafted replacement players held up well By Tim Yotter https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Vikings-young-undrafted-replacement-players-held-up-well-123953193/

Thielen, Diggs continue to set NFL, Vikings records By Scott Grams https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Thielen-Diggs-continue-to-set-NFL-Vikings-records-123952613

Sunday slant: Injuries mar otherwise thrilling matchup By Tim Yotter https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Injuries-mar-otherwise-thrilling-Vikings-Saints-matchup-123893402/

Key matchup: Stopping Saints’ two-headed backfield By John Holler https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Key-matchup-Stopping-Saints-two-headed-backfield-123820051/

1500 ESPN

Zulgad: Sinking ship? Loss to Saints creates more questions about Vikings By Judd Zulgad http://www.1500espn.com/news/2018/10/zulgad-sinking-ship-loss-saints-creates-questions-vikings/

Cousins offers no explanation for key interception, Diggs takes blame By Matthew Coller http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/10/cousins-offers-no-explanation-key-interception-diggs-takes-blame/

Everson Griffen: ‘It felt amazing to be back out there’ By Matthew Coller http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/10/everson-griffen-felt-amazing-back/

Boatload of errors cost Vikings against Saints By Matthew Coller http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/10/boatload-errors-cost-vikings-saints/

Position-by-position: How do the Vikings match up with the Saints? By Matthew Coller http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/10/position-position-vikings-match-saints-2/

Rhodes, Reiff out vs. Saints By Matthew Coller http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/10/report-rhodes-questionable-expected-play-vs-saints/

The what-ifs and butterfly effects of the Minneapolis Miracle By Judd Zulgad http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/10/ifs-butterfly-effects-minneapolis-miracle/

The Athletic

Vikings sink under a double dip of critical mistakes in rematch with Saints By Chad Graff https://theathletic.com/619587/2018/10/29/vikings-lose-saints-adam-thielen-fumble-kirk-cousins-interception-stefon-diggs/

Everson Griffen takes the next step on his long road back with Vikings By Jon Krawczynski https://theathletic.com/619445/2018/10/29/everson-griffen-takes-the-next-step-on-his-long-road-back-with-vikings/

NATIONAL NEWS: Monday, October 29, 2018

ESPN

Costly mistake creates snowball effect in Vikings loss to Saints By Courtney Cronin http://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/27511/costly-mistake-creates-snowball-effect-in-vikings-loss-to-saints

Saints get revenge for 'miracle' in 30-20 win over Vikings By AP http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401030786

CBS Sports

Saints vs. Vikings final score, takeaways: Turnovers doom Minnesota while Drew Brees has quiet game By Ryan Wilson https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/saints-vs-vikings-final-score-takeaways-turnovers-doom-minnesota-while-drew-brees-has-

quiet-game/

NFL.com

Adam Thielen records eighth straight 100-yard game By Jeremy Bergman http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000979955/article/adam-thielen-records-eighth-straight-100yard-game

USA Today

Saints get revenge for 'miracle' in 30-20 win over Vikings By AP https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/10/28/saints-get-revenge-for-miracle-in-30-20-win-over-vikings/38315665/

No 'Miracle' this time: Saints prove too much for Vikings By Jarrett Bell https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/saints/2018/10/28/new-orleans-saints-minnesota-vikings-score/1803993002/

Vikes CB Rhodes among 6 starters out; Saints CB Apple starts By AP https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/10/28/vikes-cb-rhodes-among-6-starters-out-saints-cb-apple-starts/38314019/

Another Minneapolis Miracle? Saints sure hope not By AP https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/10/25/another-minneapolis-miracle-saints-sure-hope-not/38283791/

Vikings receivers ‘let the team down’ with critical errors in loss to Saints By Jace Fredrick

Ironically, it was arguably the Vikings’ strongest unit that cost them Sunday’s game against New Orleans. The wide receiver core that has come through time and again the first half of the season dropped the ball at U.S. Bank Stadium — literally. Sure, Adam Thielen tallied seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown — notching his eighth-straight 100 yard receiving game to start the season — a new NFL record to open a campaign and tying Calvin Johnson’s mark of consecutive games over the century mark at any point in a season. But it was also Thielen who made the game-changing mistake. With the Vikings marching into the red zone late in the first half Sunday with a chance to go up two scores before the break, he fumbled. The Saints returned it all the way to the Vikings’ 33-yard line — a Laquon Treadwell unsportsmanlike conduct penalty moved the Saints 15 yards closer — and New Orleans scored a touchdown two plays later. Instead of the Vikings leading by potentially 10 points at the half, it was 17-13 New Orleans. “I’m gonna think about that one for awhile,” Thielen said. “I’m disappointed in myself.” It’s the type of mistake that easily overshadows any receiving milestones. How do you feel about that new record, Adam? “Not good,” Thielen said. “I’ve said this eight weeks in a row: 100 yards doesn’t mean anything unless you’re winning the game and unless you’re helping the team win, and I didn’t do that tonight.” Neither did his partner in crime. Stefon Diggs had 10 grabs for 119 yards and a score — not a shabby stat line — but was the main culprit in the Saints’ pick-six that put New Orleans up 27-13 midway through the third quarter. Kirk Cousins was scrambling to his right and saw Diggs coming across the middle of the field. Diggs’ job is to continue to his route toward the sideline. That’s where Cousins threw it. But Diggs saw Cousins in duress and decided to stop his route to give Cousins a “relief” throw. The miscommunication resulted in likely the easiest interception return for a touchdown of New Orleans defensive back P.J. Williams’ football career. “That’s all on me,” Diggs said. “I was trying to relieve him. Instead, I should’ve just gave him what I’m coached to do. Instead of stopping, guy got an easy pick, touchdown. If we can get that play back, maybe the game would be different. That will wrack my brain until we see them again.” Diggs took “full responsibility” for the play. “(Cousins) did everything right,” Diggs said. “It was all on me.” Treadwell took full responsibility for the unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of the play that started with Thielen’s fumble. He threw his helmet down on the field, giving the Saints’ an extra 15 yards that aided in their touchdown drive.

PUBLICATION: PIONEER PRESS DATE: 10/29/18

“It was something I haven’t did,” Treadwell said. “It’s an emotional game. I’ve got to control my emotions and play better and use it on the field and not on the sidelines.” Treadwell also didn’t come through in a critical spot. Early in the third quarter, the Vikings went for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 45-yard line. Cousins threw to Treadwell, hitting the receiver in his hands. But Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore jarred the ball free. Incomplete pass, the Saints took over possession. New Orleans turned the good field position into a field goal. It was a rare off night for the Vikings’ receivers. “I think that’s what’s I guess interesting about it is they have been so good, and you take for granted the fact that they’re human and mistakes happen,” Cousins said. “But great players and really enjoy playing with them. We have a really good locker room of good guys who stay together and play hard for one another, and that’s going to be a big piece of our story here down the stretch the last few games.” Treadwell said the receivers are always motivated as a group, but that may be especially true this week. “This one stings, because we left a lot of plays [out there],” Treadwell said. “We let the team down. We know that, and we’ve got to bounce back.”

Vikings’ Stefon Diggs runs out of miracles By Bob Sansevere

This time there were no miraculous plays for Stefon Diggs or the Vikings. Nine months after he entered Vikings lore with the Minnesota Miracle, the last-second reception that beat the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs, Diggs had an impressive statistical performance against the Saints. He had 10 catches for 119 yards and scored the Vikings’ first touchdown with a 1-yard reception. Unfortunately, turnovers by quarterback Kirk Cousins and fellow wide receiver Adam Thielen were costly in the Vikings’ 30-20 loss Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium. Diggs was involved in more plays than he was in the playoff win last January, when he had six catches for 137 yards and the winning touchdown on the 61-yard miracle pass from Case Keenum. But double-digit receptions still weren’t enough to help lift the Vikings over the Saints. Diggs had his third 100-yard receiving game of the season, and his first touchdown since he scored twice in the second game of the season against the Green Bay Packers. He has 57 receptions. After the loss to the Saints, Diggs lamented the fumble by Thielen late in the first half, which led to a New Orleans field goal, and the third-quarter interception Cousins threw that was returned 45 yards for a touchdown. “In a critical situation, you can’t make errors, and we did. It’s on us,” Diggs said. “Got to get rid of the self-inflicted wounds, when we shoot ourselves in the foot or we have a turnover.” Diggs blamed himself for the Cousins interception, saying he should not have stopped running his route. “It’s all on me. I was trying to relieve (Cousins). I should just do what I’m coached to do instead of stopping,” Diggs said. “The guy got an easy pick. If we could get that play back, maybe the game would be different. (Cousins) was under duress. I was trying to give him a relief throw. Show him my hand. He just did what he’s supposed to do — throw it to the spot. I take full responsibility. He did everything right. It’s all on me.” Asked how many times in previous games he had done the same thing — stopped a route to help Cousins find him — and the result was a reception, Diggs said, “We’ll save that for another time.” Apparently, Diggs also wanted to save for another time talk of the Minnesota Miracle. He sidestepped a question about whether he thought much about it in the days leading up to the Saints game. “I was worried about this week and playing the best I could play,” Diggs said “Each game is a new game. This game meant something to me.”

PUBLICATION: PIONEER PRESS DATE: 10/29/18

Vikings’ clock management leaves something to be desired late in loss to Saints By Kevin Cusick The Vikings moved the ball on each of their final two drives during Sunday night’s 30-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints. It just took far too much time to do it. Minnesota’s offense took the field trailing 30-13 with less than 10 minutes left, and proceeded to go on a 13-play, 75 yard drive that ate up more than five minutes of clock. So while the Vikings cut the deficit to two scores, it took them more than half of the remaining time to do so. “I don’t know what to tell you, we’re trying to get down there as best we can,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said when asked about the team’s clock management. “Would’ve loved to score the first play, but I threw it somewhere else and we just kind of marched.” All the way down to New Orleans’ 6-yard line with 5:42 left. But it took the Vikings four plays, including an ill-advised quarterback sneak that netted no gain, before finally scoring on Cousins’ pass to Adam Thielen. Just those four plays took the Vikings 76 seconds to run. Still, when a reporter questioned coach Mike Zimmer about the team’s clock management on the final drive, Zimmer replied, “I think you are 100 percent totally wrong.” The final drive was no better. Down 10 points with 1:09 left and no timeouts, the Vikings ran five plays. Cousins completed four passes, for all of 53 yards. Minnesota got as far as the Saints’ 38-yard line before time ran out and the game was over. Tight end Kyle Rudolph said the Vikings were “going as fast as we can.” “(The Saints) couldn’t have played any softer zone coverage when you’re protecting a 17-point lead,” Rudolph said. “They’d be foolish to let us get chunks. I thought we executed pretty well and moved the ball as quickly as possible.” Cousins said the Vikings want to move the ball as fast as they can but also want to avoid critical errors. In some situations, the risk might be worth taking. “When you’re trying to go for the home run or score quickly or not bleed as much clock, you’re also going to open yourself up to sacks and interceptions and fumbles,” Cousins said. “So trying to find that balance is something you’re always going to do as a player.”

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 10/29/18

Vikings’ Vikings’ Everson Griffen back on the field, and that’s the best news of all By Bob Sansevere

The last time the Vikings and New Orleans Saints played, it was memorable, with Stefon Diggs turning an improbable catch-and-run into a playoff-winning touchdown that instantly became known as the Minnesota Miracle. These teams met again Sunday night and it was memorable for so much more than the winning or losing of an NFL game. Never mind the final score, many will remember it as the night Everson Griffen put on a uniform again and played in a game. The first member of the Vikings to charge out of the tunnel minutes before the game began, Griffen had one tackle and no sacks, though he did put some pressure on quarterback Drew Brees in the Saints’ 30-20 victory over the Vikings. How Griffen played wasn’t as important as the simple fact that he played. “It felt amazing being back out there,” Griffen said. He helps make the Vikings a better team, sure, but there is so much more going on here. Griffen returned to the Vikings last week after being gone a month. It wasn’t due to an injury. It was far more serious than that. The day before the Vikings were routed by the Buffalo Bills, Griffen was hospitalized with mental health issues after incidents of alarming and scary behavior. The Vikings were 17-point favorites to beat the Bills but played like a team whose collective head wasn’t in it. What happened to Griffen a day earlier would help explain the going-through-the-motions mode the Vikings were in. Griffen was their captain, their teammate, their friend, and when somebody close to you is hospitalized, particularly over mental health, how could it not affect you? After he left the team, nobody knew how long Griffen would be gone and there was speculation in the media and elsewhere that it could be for the entire season or maybe even end the career of one of the best defensive ends in the game. There has been optimism, albeit cautious, since it was announced he would return to the Vikings. “Obviously we want him back as a football player but as a person, that’s my buddy, so I want him to do great off the field as well, and that’s what he’s doing,” safety Harrison Smith said. “I’m happy to have him back, just around us.” Griffen acknowledged in a statement last week that rejoining the team was “only the next step in a longer process.” It is a process that could be lifelong. But now, in this moment, he has had a return to some sort of normalcy and the life he once knew and embraced. “I did have emotions,” Griffen said, referring to hearing fans cheer him. “It shows that people care. I really appreciate that. There’s a lot of love out there for me. My goal is to get back, knock the rust off and get back to the grind.” He is an inspiration to people dealing with mental health issues of their own. As many as 1 in 5 Americans experience mental illness in a given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which also reports 1 in 25 Americans “experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.” That is where Griffen has been.

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 10/29/18

In his statement, he said, “I’m hopeful the time will come when I feel comfortable sharing my story and using my platform to bring awareness to these issues.” He does have a platform, an enormous one. The global popularity of the NFL has meant Griffen’s illness and recovery effort has played out on an international stage and he could help eradicate the stigma that sometimes accompanies mental illness. There should not be a feeling of embarrassment or shame for anyone dealing with a mental health issue, but you know, we all know, that happens. Griffen could have a role in bringing some people out of the shadows of shame by helping them realize they are dealing with an illness, and that they can be helped to, if not overcome it, learn better how to deal with it. First, though, Griffen has to deal with his own issue, and Sunday night was part of the start of that. “It’s just getting back into my routine each and every day,” he said. “That creates great habits.”

Costly turnovers sink Vikings in 30-20 loss to Saints By Chris Tomasson

Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen have lifted the Vikings’ offense all season. On Sunday night, turnovers from the two sunk them. The New Orleans Saints escaped U.S. Bank Stadium with a 30-20 victory. The difference was Thielen losing a fumble late in the second quarter that was returned 54 yards and set up a Saints touchdown, and Cousins throwing an interception that was returned for a Saints touchdown in the third quarter. “Critical errors really end up determining the outcome of games and, we’re always trying to avoid those but still be aggressive and trying to be explosive,” said Cousins, the Vikings quarterback who threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns. The game was a rematch of the Minnesota Miracle, and that had Vikings fans pumped up for the battle with one of the NFC’s top teams. Just before the opening kickoff, the jumbotron showed a replay of Stefon Diggs’ dramatic 61-yard touchdown reception on the last play that gave the Vikings a 29-24 playoff win over the Saints in January. The fans were just as loud late in the first half when the Vikings led 13-10 and had first-and-10 at the New Orleans 18. However, they soon got very silent. Thielen, leading the NFL in catches and receiving yardage, caught a pass for four yards before fumbling. Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore scooped up the loose ball and ran it 54 yards to the Minnesota 33. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Vikings receiver Laquon Treadwell moved the ball to the 18. Two plays later, Alvin Kamara’s 1-yard run snuffed out the Vikings’ momentum and gave the Saints a 17-13 lead at halftime. “I’m going to take ownership of it,” Thielen said. ‘I’m definitely disappointed in myself. I’m going to be thinking about that one for a while.” After the play, Cousins did what he could to cheer up Thielen. He recounted what he said. “You’re the best player on the football team,” Cousins said. “It happens. Let’s have the best second half you ever had. That’s the mindset you have to have anytime something happens’’ In the third quarter, though, it was Cousins who had a critical mistake. With the Vikings trailing 20-13, he threw an interception right into the hands of cornerback P.J. Williams after Diggs stopped his route short. Williams ran 45 yards untouched for a touchdown to give New Orleans a 27-13 lead with 5:58 left in the quarter. “I think there were a lot of really good things out there,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “Unfortunately, some of the turnovers … put us behind the 8-ball. But I thought we battled and did some good things.” The Vikings outgained the Saints 423 yards to 270, and had 27 first downs to their 17. They forced record-setting Drew Brees into his first interception of the season, which was snagged by Harrison Smith in the second quarter, and held him to 120 yards passing. “When you give the ball to a team with a hall of fame quarterback, you’re asking for trouble,” said Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph. “We outplayed them, we outgained them, we stopped them on defense. But when you turn the ball over, it’s hard to win games.” Minnesota wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) coughs up the ball after getting hit New Orleans cornerback P.J. Williams (26) in the second quarter of an NFL game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday Oct. 28, 2018. The turnover would result in a New Orleans touchdown several plays later. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 10/29/18

Thielen’s fumble was just the fourth he has lost in his five-year career. That play overshadowed another big night for the former Minnesota State Mankato receiver, who had seven catches for 103 yards. Thielen broke Charlie Hennigan’s 1961 NFL record for most 100-yard games to start a season. Thielen now has eight, matching the record set by Detroit’s Calvin Johnson in 2012 for most 100-yard games in a season. Thielen shrugged off breaking the record set by Hennigan, who died last year. “Holding a record for 57 years in this league is not too shabby,” said Hennigan’s son, Taylor Hennigan. “Congrats to Thielen where it is due.” The Vikings dropped to 4-3-1 and fell out of first place in the NFC North, just behind Chicago (4-3). Minnesota can win the division or get a wild-card playoff berth, but catching the Los Angeles Rams (8-0) and Saints (6-1) for one of the top two seeds and a first-round bye will be difficult. “There’s a lot of reasons to be optimistic at the halfway point,” Cousins said. “I think we have a very good football team.” Cousins threw just his fourth interception of the season. That turnover came not long after he had been ruled to have lost a fumble at his own 17 on a sack midway through the third quarter. However, the call was reversed after it was determined that the Vikings quarterback was down by contact. The Vikings played without six injured starters. Four were ruled out Friday: linebacker Anthony Barr (hamstring), running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring), guard Tom Compton (knee) and safety Andrew Sendejo (groin). Ruled out before the game were cornerback Xavier Rhodes (ankle), who had been listed as questionable, and tackle Riley Reiff (foot), who was listed as doubtful.

Vikings say six sidelined starters wasn’t the problem in loss to Saints By Chris Tomasson

The Vikings had six starters out for Sunday night’s game because of injury, but nobody was using that as an excuse. After Minnesota’s 30-20 loss to New Orleans at U.S. Bank Stadium, tight end Kyle Rudolph said the problem was two costly turnovers, not any players who were out. “Coach (Mike Zimmer) said after the game that the guys who came in played really well,” Rudolph said. “That’s a testament to the depth on the team. The problem wasn’t being down six starters. That had nothing to do with giving the ball to them.” The Vikings had a fumble late in the second quarter by Adam Thielen that was returned 54 yards by Saints cornerback Marcus Lattimore and led to a touchdown. In the third quarter, Kirk Cousins threw an interception that was returned 45 yards for a touchdown by P.J. Williams. The Vikings were without cornerback Xavier Rhodes (ankle), tackle Riley Reiff (foot), linebacker Anthony Barr (hamstring), running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring), guard Tom Compton (knee) and safety Andrew Sendejo (groin). Rhodes, who was listed as questionable, and Reiff, who was listed as doubtful, were ruled out before the game while the others were ruled out Friday. Returning was nose tackle Linval Joseph, who was questionable with knee and ankle injuries after missing one game. Barr had his streak end of playing in 41 straight games, 44 including the playoffs. Rhodes had a streak end of playing in 37 straight, 39 including playoffs. Rhodes was replaced by undrafted rookie Holton Hill, who made his first NFL start. “I felt like I competed to the best of my ability,” Hill said. “Me and all my teammates went out and competed and executed each call the best that we could.’ In place of Barr, Eric Wilson also made his first career start. “It’s awesome to be able to get more snaps on defense and try to make an impact for our team,” said Wilson, in his second season. “I hope to get more opportunities and get more of a chance to play.” George Iloka started for the third straight game for Sendejo. Reiff, who missed his third straight game, again was replaced at left tackle by Rashod Hill, with rookie Brian O’Neill again starting at right tackle. Filling in again for Cook, who missed his fifth game out of the last six, was Latavius Murray. And Compton was replaced by Danny Isidora. The Vikings got 85 yards on the ground, including 56 by Murray on 13 carries. Down two starters, though, the offensive line gave up four sacks. “I think Danny and Brian have done an absolutely amazing job stepping in there, and they’re not perfect,” said guard Mike Remmers. “But no one on that field is perfect. We make mistakes, too. Those guys put in maximum effort each play, so I’m proud of those guys stepping up in there.” With the Vikings trailing 17-13 early in the third quarter and facing fourth-and-1 at their 45, Zimmer elected to go for a first down. Cousins threw an incompletion to Laquon Treadwell over the middle. That led to a 42-yard Saints field goal by Will Lutz and a 20-13 lead. “I told the team I was going to be aggressive and that every fourth down that was close, we were going to go for it,” Zimmer said. “It didn’t work out. So what?”

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 10/29/18

Zimmer, though, was conservative late in the first half when Minnesota trailed 17-13. With 30 seconds left and the Vikings having first-and-10 at their 25 with two timeouts remaining, he ran out the clock. “That’s a problem?” Zimmer said. ‘That I didn’t try to score with 30 seconds left and the ball is backed up.” BRIEFLY — Saints coach Sean Payton shrugged off this game being a rematch of the Minnesota Miracle. “A lot was made about that coming into this game,” Payton said of Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs catching a 61-yard touchdown pass on the last play for a 29-24 win in a playoff game last January. “Look, the game was the game last year. … The focus was on winning this game.” — With the Vikings 4-3-1 at the halfway point of the season, Zimmer remains confident. “This is still a good football team, even in here if seems like a morgue,” he said. “This is a good football team. these guys fought their rear ends off.”

Plenty of blame to go around after Vikings' lethargic Sunday night defeat By Jim Souhan Last time the New Orleans Saints visited they aided and abetted the Minneapolis Miracle. Sunday night, they facilitated Minnesota mediocrity. Midway through the 2018 season, the Vikings are 4-3-1. They have not beaten a team that currently owns a winning record. They are not in any kind of serious trouble, not while playing in a middling division, but they have failed to separate themselves from their competitors, and their performance on Sunday night did little to hint that they are prepared to do so. Playing at home in front of a ridiculously loud crowd, the Vikings on Sunday fell to New Orleans 30-20 while failing to look well-coached, composed, organized or inspired, and even their best players let them down. Adam Thielen continued to perform like one of the greatest receivers in NFL history, but his second-quarter fumble may have marked the turning point in what, during the first half, was a thrilling, back-and-forth game. “I’m definitely disappointed in myself,” Thielen said. VideoVideo (02:18): Adam Thielen had a key fumble in the second quarter that led to the Saints taking a lead they never gave up. Laquon Treadwell dropped one important pass and earned an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty that aided the Saints’ touchdown following Thielen’s fumble. If football kept a plus-minus statistic, Treadwell would not want to know. Stefon Diggs produced like a star but acknowledged that he stopped running a route in the third quarter, leading Kirk Cousins to throw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Give Diggs credit for taking “full responsibility.” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer wasted a challenge on the Saints’ first drive, costing him a timeout and making him appear overeager, and then decided not to run a play with 30 seconds and two timeouts remaining in the half, even though he has an expensive quarterback and trailed at the time. Asked whether the Thielen fumble influenced that decision, Zimmer said, curtly, “Yeah.” That’s the wrong answer when you have a veteran quarterback and two receivers and are playing against a prolific offense. Zimmer also went for a first down on fourth-and-1 from his 45 on the first drive of the third quarter, and the Vikings turned the ball over on downs. Intelligent analytics support such a move, but it runs counter to the cautiousness Zimmer displayed at the end of the first half. “I told the guys that we were going to be aggressive,” Zimmer said.

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 10/29/18

But he may not have mentioned when. The Vikings defense was missing cornerback Xavier Rhodes and linebacker Anthony Barr, gave up 30 points and was lucky that number wasn’t higher. Saints back Alvin Kamara dropped a pass that could have produced a long touchdown in the first half, and the Saints looked content to run a ball-control passing offense once they had the lead rather than let Drew Brees unsheath one of the most productive arms in NFL history. So while the Vikings were congratulating themselves on being a play or two away from winning, and being, as Zimmer and his players said, “a really good team,” the Saints may have been one or two plays from making this a laugher. At this time last season the Vikings, with a backup quarterback they would choose not to re-sign, were making the 2017 season feel like something special. The 2018 season has never felt so easy or charmed, not since the missed kicks at Lambeau in Week 2 and the subsequent and nagging embarrassment at home to the woeful Buffalo Bills. It’s not that the Vikings are hopeless or doomed, just that instead of establishing themselves as one of the best in the league, they have mired themselves in the league’s middle class, from whence they will need help and luck and improved health to change franchise history. The 2018 Vikings have already matched the 2017 team’s total for regular-season losses. That’s not a death knell, but it may ring a few alarm bells for those who thought this team was destined to compete for a championship. There may be a miracle in the Vikings’ future, but this team was supposed to be good enough not to need one.

Stefon Diggs says his failure to complete crossing route led to Saints' pick-six By Mark Craig A year after his decision to keep running created the Minneapolis Miracle, Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs stopped and, in his own words, handed those same Saints a game-deciding pick-six in Sunday night’s 30-20 loss at U.S. Bank Stadium. With the Vikings trailing 20-13 late in the third quarter, Kirk Cousins was looking for Diggs on a shallow crossing route when the pocket began to collapse. Diggs stopped running. Cornerback P.J. Williams didn’t. Cousins threw the ball where he expected Diggs to be, but only Williams was there. The ball went 45 yards the other way for a two-score lead, and essentially the ballgame, with 5 minutes, 58 seconds left in the third. “That’s all on me,” Diggs said. “I should have done what I’m coached to do instead of stopping.” VideoVideo (02:13): Stefan Diggs caught 10 passes, including one for a touchdown, in the Vikings' 30-20 loss to New Orleans. Diggs is one of the league’s best route runners, so he did have an explanation as to why he stopped. He said he saw a window for Cousins to throw to him as the pocket collapsed. “He was under duress, so I was trying to give him a relief throw,” Diggs said. “The pocket was collapsing, so I was just trying to show him my hand. And he just did what he’s coached to do and threw it to the spot. It was miscommunication and I take full responsibility. [Cousins] did everything right. “[Williams] got an easy pick. Touchdown. If we get that play back, maybe the game would be different. That will be in my brain until we see them again.” Nine months after Diggs’ walkoff 61-yard touchdown won that NFC divisional playoff game, the Vikings (4-3-1) fell out of first place and were in a much different mood in the locker room. As reporters filed in, receivers Adam Thielen and Diggs took turns taking the blame for two crushing turnovers. Thielen went first and apologized for his red-zone fumble that created a potential 14-point swing and a 17-13 Saints lead right before halftime. Of course, Thielen also caught all seven passes thrown to him for 103 yards and a touchdown while becoming the first player in the 99-year history of the NFL to start a season with eight consecutive 100-yard receiving games. “Adam didn’t lose the game; we lost the game as a unit,” Diggs said. “I have 100 percent faith in Adam. I don’t even think about that play because he makes too many [good ones]. He has that dog mind-set that he’ll bounce back. And he did.”

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 10/29/18

Diggs apologized second. Of course, he also had 10 catches for 119 yards, and a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 1 in the first quarter. The only pass intended for Diggs that wasn’t caught was the one that led to Williams’ pick-six. Early on, Diggs was having his way with Williams. On the Vikings’ first possession, Diggs beat Williams for the touchdown and a 30-yard completion to the 1. “They have a great football team, but we have a good football team as well,” Diggs said of the Saints, who have won six in a row after a season-opening loss to Tampa Bay. “We can’t make mistakes in critical situations, and we did. We couldn’t come back from them.” The Vikings tried to downplay the Minneapolis Miracle when reporters asked about it last week. But when it came game time, the team chose to show the play on the big screens while players from both teams were on the field. The crowd erupted, creating an energy level higher than a typical midseason game. The Vikings were in control until Thielen’s fumble. They still had a chance until Diggs stopped running. Asked how many times he’s done something like that and made a positive play, Diggs smiled and said, “We’ll save that for another time.” Diggs also was asked what he thought about the Minneapolis Miracle playing on the big screens right before kickoff. He said he didn’t see it. “That’s in the past,” he said. “It’s something we’ll think about when I get old. … I didn’t do enough [Sunday]. And I will.”

Miracle-free zone: Saints capitalize on Vikings' turnovers to win 30-20 By Ben Goessling Heading into Sunday night’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium — the third nationally televised matchup between the two teams in 13 months — the Vikings and Saints spent the week parrying questions about January’s Minneapolis Miracle, insisting the last matchup would have no bearing on this one. In the end, both teams proved the point: The rematch was nothing like the last one. And if the two teams are to meet again in this season’s playoffs, there’s a good chance they will not do so in Minneapolis. Two costly Vikings turnovers helped the Saints win 30-20, despite Drew Brees’ inability to establish a downfield passing game against a Vikings defense playing without Xavier Rhodes, Andrew Sendejo and Anthony Barr. Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram combined for more than 100 rushing yards as the Saints secured their first victory at U.S. Bank Stadium. On a night that began with Miracle collaborator Stefon Diggs coming out of the tunnel as the last player introduced, the Vikings suffered what might have been a crippling blow to their bid for a first-round bye. “We define critical errors as turnovers, fumbles, interceptions, occasionally a sack,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “Critical errors really end up determining outcomes of games and seasons, so we’re always trying to avoid those.” The loss put the Vikings percentage points behind the Chicago Bears, who took the NFC North lead by becoming the only team in the division to win Sunday. The greater effect of the defeat might be that it put the Vikings two victories behind the Saints, and marked their second loss in a month to the two teams with the best records in the conference (the Saints and Rams). “It’s tough,” tight end Kyle Rudolph said. “I will take this team anywhere and we will play with anyone. The Saints are one of the best teams in the NFC, and we beat them up and down the field. In the end, we just beat ourselves with turnovers.” According to ESPN Stats and Information, the Saints were 1-11 in Brees’ career (before Sunday night) when he had fewer than 80 passing yards in the first half. He finished with only 64 in the first half on Sunday night (though the Saints got a 44-yard completion from Taysom Hill to Michael Thomas), and didn’t cross the 100-yard mark until the final play of the third quarter. Still, the Saints sailed to victory in a game that looked just before halftime like it might be firmly in the Vikings’ control.

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 10/29/18

Rushing off the left side of the Vikings’ defense with 3:03 left in the first half, Stephen Weatherly got an arm near Brees’ chest, forcing a hasty throw from the future Hall of Famer that Harrison Smith intercepted for Brees’ first pick of the season. The takeaway, against a quarterback not given to many mistakes especially this season, looked like it could be a pivotal moment in a game that featured only two first-half punts. Instead, it precipitated a takeaway that turned out to be even more pivotal. With the Vikings at the Saints’ 18 and potentially driving toward a 10-point halftime lead, Adam Thielen had the ball stripped by P.J. Williams after a 5-yard gain, and Marshon Lattimore scooped up the fumble for a 54-yard return, followed by a 15-yard penalty on Laquon Treadwell for throwing his helmet at the end of the play. Two plays later, the Saints were in the end zone, with Alvin Kamara’s 1-yard touchdown run following his 17-yard gain off a pass from Brees. Zimmer said after the game he’d told the team all week he planned to be aggressive, given how the Vikings would need to deal with an explosive Saints team. The Vikings went for it three times on fourth down, scoring their first touchdown of the night on a 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Diggs. But at the end of the first half, the Vikings opted to run the ball twice and drain the final 30 seconds off the clock to end the first half — a decision Zimmer said was affected by Thielen’s fumble on the previous drive. They returned to a more aggressive tack on their first possession of the second half, going for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 45. Treadwell couldn’t hang onto Cousins’ throw over the middle, and the Saints drove for a field goal that extended their lead to 20-13. The Vikings’ next possession proved to be even more disastrous. VideoVideo (10:01): Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer break down the Vikings' 30-20 loss to the Saints on Sunday night, and answer questions about a few clock management decisions the team made as its lead slipped away. On the first play, Cousins rolled to his left, looking to make a play with Marcus Davenport bearing down on him. The Vikings caught a break when officials ruled Cousins was down before Davenport ripped the ball out of his hand, calling the play a 2-yard sack instead of a fumble return for a touchdown. But four plays later, as Cousins tried to hit Diggs on a short crossing route on third down, the wide receiver stopped running against man coverage, and P.J. Williams picked off Cousins’ throw, returning it 45 yards for a touchdown. “He was under duress, and I was trying to give him a relief throw,” Diggs said. “The pocket was collapsing, and I was just trying to show him my hands. He just did what he’s coached to do — threw it to a spot — and it was miscommunication. I take full responsibility. He did everything right; it was all on me.” Television cameras showed Cousins nodding and patting Diggs’ back as the wide receiver came up to explain what had happened. The damage pushed the Saints’ lead to 14 points, extending their run to 17 unanswered points after Thielen’s fumble.

The wide receiver would go on to break the NFL record for 100-yard games to start a season, surpassing Charlie Hennigan’s old mark of seven, but his fourth-quarter touchdown only served to pull the Vikings within 10.

Everson Griffen feels the love in his return to the field

By Andrew Krammer Defensive end Everson Griffen returned to a thunderous ovation from Vikings fans at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night. He came off the bench and played much of the 30-20 loss to the Saints in his return from a five-game absence to undergo mental health treatment. “It does feel good, to see that people care,” Griffen said. “I really appreciate that. There’s a lot of love out there for me. My whole goal is to get back to my old form. Knock the rust off and get back to my grind.” The ongoing process to find Griffen’s “old form” is why he didn’t start against the Saints, according to coach Mike Zimmer, instead coming off the bench in a somewhat limited role behind defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Stephen Weatherly. Griffen was flagged twice, including an early jump that gave the Saints a first down on a third-and-1 play. “I had two penalties [Sunday], and we turned over the ball,” Griffen said. “Stuff like that can’t be done to beat a good team like that.” Even though Griffen didn’t start, he returned to his role as an emotional leader for the Vikings. He broke down two huddles with his fellow defenders during pregame warmups, during which he also regained his spot as a team captain at the front of the team. He finished with one tackle and was able to pressure quarterback Drew Brees on a third-and-goal incompletion. Brees proves mortal Brees had been the NFL’s last starter to not throw an interception during the 2018 season, until safety Harrison Smith grabbed his overthrow in the second quarter. Smith’s pick, his third of the season, was Brees’ first interception since he was last in U.S. Bank Stadium. Brees threw two interceptions in the Saints’ NFC Divisional playoff loss to the Vikings in January. The Vikings did not get anything out of the turnover. Receiver Adam Thielen fumbled in the red zone, leading to a 54-yard return by Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Saints running back Alvin Kamara scored a touchdown two plays later. Six starters sit Cornerback Xavier Rhodes was one of six starters to not play against the Saints. Rhodes missed his first game of the season because of a foot injury suffered last week against the Jets. Linebacker Anthony Barr (hamstring) also saw his streak of 44 consecutive starts come to an end. Safety Andrew Sendejo (groin) missed his third game in a row. Left tackle Riley Reiff also sat out his third consecutive week. Reiff is dealing with a foot injury that has bothered him since the Sept. 22 loss against Buffalo. Running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring) and guard Tom Compton (knee) were also inactive. Reliving the Miracle

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 10/29/18

A mashup of reactions to the Minneapolis Miracle played on the scoreboard to precede an emotional prime-time kickoff against the Saints. Receiver Stefon Diggs’ 61-yard touchdown for a walkoff playoff victory last January was replayed on the big screens three times. Diggs was also greeted with a roar as the Vikings’ marquee final announcement out of the tunnel during pregame festivities. A smattering of fans created signs taunting Saints safety Marcus Williams, including one that read, “Hey Williams, I had a funny Saints joke, but I lost it in the last second.” Thomas injured Vikings rookie running back Roc Thomas suffered an injured hamstring in the second quarter and did not return to the game. He had one carry for a loss of 1 yard. The Vikings had an efficient rushing attack against the NFL’s No. 1 run defense, but Latavius Murray couldn’t accumulate much beyond 13 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown as the offense played from behind for the entire second half.

Saints defense grabs starring role from Brees By Chip Scoggins Drew Brees proved that he’s human Sunday night. He threw an interception. He also got to sit in the passenger seat for a change. The NFL’s all-time leading passer had an unusually quiet performance, but the New Orleans Saints showed they can win using a different formula than run-and-gun offense. Their defense did the heavy lifting — or taking away, in this case — for a 30-20 victory over the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. How atypical was their script? New Orleans led 27-13 entering the fourth quarter and Brees had only 102 yards passing. The fact that the Saints won their sixth consecutive game in a rout on the road despite a pedestrian outing from Brees provides further evidence that they are legitimate contenders. The Vikings deserve an assist for shooting themselves in the foot. “You’re ready to take advantage of whatever opportunities the opposing team gives you,” Brees said. Oh, the Vikings gave them opportunities all right. Two big ones. The Saints defense looked like easy pickings early but flipped the game upside down by forcing two turnovers that saved points and scored points. The Saints pass defense ranks among the NFL’s worst, and Kirk Cousins repeatedly targeted cornerback P.J. Williams from the opening series. Williams gave up several long completions in coverage while also committing a pass interference penalty in the end zone. He went from being picked on to hero with two plays. The Vikings led 13-10 late in the first half and were driving for more points. They had a chance to go ahead by two scores, and also get the ball to start the second half. But Williams joined linebacker Alex Anzalone on a tackle of Adam Thielen that knocked the ball loose at the Saints 14-yard line. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore scooped up the fumble and returned it 54 yards to the Vikings 33. The Saints turned that takeaway into a touchdown for a 17-13 halftime lead. “It was definitely a turnaround,” Williams said. “We started off slow. I was giving up a few plays. A turnover always turns the game around. It definitely swung the game.”

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 10/29/18

His takeaway in the third quarter essentially put the game out of reach. Stefon Diggs ran a crossing route but stopped running as Cousins started to throw. Diggs stopped running, Williams didn’t — and Cousins’ pass landed in his arms. Williams returned that gift 45 yards for a touchdown and 27-13 lead. “I’m sure [Cousins] didn’t see me,” Williams said. “He saw Diggs coming across the field, and I’m sure he thought he was going to keep going.” Williams credited his ability to overcome a disastrous start to “mental toughness.” “You’re going to get beat in this league,” he said. “You just have to stay in it.” Their turnovers meant the Saints didn’t need a typical Brees performance, though watching him overthrow his intended target for an interception was like seeing a UFO streaking across the sky. You rub your eyes and say, “Wait, what was that?” On the play, Stephen Weatherly applied pressure off the edge after being unblocked, forcing Brees to rush his throw to Michael Thomas over the middle. His pass sailed high and Harrison Smith leaped to grab it. That ended Brees’ streak of passes without an interception at 231 to start season. “Shouldn’t have happened,” Brees said. “I had a little bit of pressure, but I should just keep the ball down.” Brees finished with 120 yards passing and one touchdown. His longest completion was 20 yards. The Vikings outgained the Saints 423 yards to 270. “Offensively, we were efficient,” Brees said. “There weren’t a ton of big plays.” The Vikings never recovered from Thielen’s turnover. That momentum swing sucked the air out of the team and the stadium. The second half had a weird vibe to it. “We just know how to win,” Williams said. Usually, that entails jumping on Brees’ back. Not this time. The defense took the starring role after a shaky start. “This one had a little extra special meaning,” Brees said. “Obviously the difference was getting some of those turnovers.”

Tracking Kirk Cousins

By Andrew Krammer

Tracking Kirk Cousins

We will track quarterback Kirk Cousins all year long in his inaugural season as the Vikings' signal

caller.

inside the numbers

Attempts 41

Completions 31

Yards 359

Touchdowns 2

Interceptions 1

Passer rating 107.7

Turnovers 1

Performance

Grade: 5 out of 10

Cousins threw his way into a fast start, completing six of eight passes for 67 yards and a touchdown in

the first quarter. But his, and therefore the Vikings', unraveling began just before halftime, when

receiver Adam Thielen's red-zone fumble led to a 54-yard return by Saints cornerback Marshon

Lattimore and later a Saints touchdown. Cousins couldn't get the Vikings back on track in the third

quarter, taking a sack that was initially ruled a fumble. His knee was down after review, but he would

then throw his first career pick-six as the Vikings quarterback just four plays later.

Quotable

""Critical errors really end up determining outcomes of games and seasons, so we're always trying to

avoid those while still being aggressive."

the good

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 10/29/18

Strong start: Everything was working to start the game. Cousins found Thielen for a ridiculous 14-yard

grab, then threw a perfect touch pass to Stefon Diggs for a 1-yard score. That touchdown was set up

by a 31-yard throw that found Diggs' back shoulder at the 1-yard line. Cousins later completed a flea-

flicker pass to Thielen for 28 yards, which led to a touchdown run by Latavius Murray.

The bad

Rocky third quarter: First came an ill-advised pass into heavy traffic intended for tight end David

Morgan. Cousins escaped that poor decision with only a deflected pass. Then came the scramble to

his left, where Marcus Davenport chased him down and ripped the ball out of his hands. Upon further

review, officials ruled Cousins' knee was down. Four plays later, Diggs stopped running a crossing

route and Cousins threw to where he thought Diggs would run. Instead, Saints cornerback P.J.

Williams took an interception 45 yards for the touchdown.

one analysis:

Coach's aggression spotty: Head coach Mike Zimmer picked his spots to be aggressive with the

offense, giving Cousins a chance on three fourth-down attempts. The Vikings converted two of three

attempts, including Cousins' two touchdown throws. However, Zimmer opted not to push the ball

downfield just before halftime, when the Vikings had the ball with 30 seconds left and two timeouts.

They instead ran out the clock.

Around the league

A quick look at former Vikings starters Sam Bradford and Case Keenum.

Bradford

Arizona Cardinals

Bradford has been replaced as starter by rookie Josh Rosen.

Result: Cardinals 18, 49ers 15

Keenum

Denver Broncos

Comp-Att 23-34

Yards 262

TD-INT 2-1

QBR 97.9

Result: Chiefs 30, Broncos 23

Vikings' statistics don't matter in loss to New Orleans By Sid Hartman At a first glance of the statistics, it doesn’t make sense how the Vikings fell 30-20 to the Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night, but the combination of missing so many injured starters and two key turnovers swung the momentum of the game. When the news came down that cornerback Xavier Rhodes was going to be absent alongside linebacker Anthony Barr, safety Andrew Sendejo, tackle Riley Reiff and guard Tom Compton, you knew it might be a tough night for the Purple. But the Saints were able to win without really needing future Hall of Famer Drew Brees at his best. He completed 18 of 23 passes for a mere 120 yards with one touchdown pass to Alvin Kamara and an interception thrown to Vikings safety Harrison Smith. It was the third-fewest passing yards in Brees illustrious career when he attempted at least 20 passes. Since the start of the 2014 season, he had averaged 307.7 passing yards a game, with a low of 184 during a 47-10 rout at Buffalo last year. The Vikings easily won the battle of offensive yards 423-270 and had 27 first downs to New Orleans’ 17. Time of possession? That also went the Vikings way at 31 minutes, 23 seconds to 28:37 for the Saints. The Vikings had better red-zone efficiency and third-down efficiency, and each time the Vikings got the ball with goal-to-go, they scored a touchdown. But the biggest play of the game came when Adam Thielen caught a screen pass with 1:11 to go in the second quarter. At that point the Vikings were at the New Orleans 18-yard line, up 13-10 and slated to get the kickoff at the start of the second half. But a good helmet tackle by P.J. Williams led to a fumble that was recovered by Marshon Lattimore and returned 54 yards to the Vikings 33. A thoughtless unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on Laquon Treadwell added 15 yards and made it much easier for the Saints to score a touchdown and take the lead. “[The fumble] was disappointing because we had a chance to score there,” coach Mike Zimmer said. “Who knows, go seven or 10 points up? “I don’t think Adam is going to fumble the ball very often. Sometimes when guys are in zone or man-to-man, you have different route combinations you’re supposed to do, so Adam made a mistake. He dropped the ball. I thought other than that, Thielen played pretty damn good.” The Vikings didn’t look like an inferior team compared to the Saints, but their mistakes really turned the game.

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 10/29/18

The other big turnover in the game came in the second half, when quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Stefon Diggs miscommunicated on a route that led to Williams’ 45-yard interception return for a touchdown with 5:58 left in the half. That made it 27-13 New Orleans, and the game was put out of reach on the next Saints possession. The Saints had a total of 99 return yards off the two Vikings turnovers. They scored 14 points off those turnovers, using only 48 seconds of game clock. Those plays wiped out the boxscore and made the statistical battle between the two teams irrelevant. “We made some mistakes, yes. Turned the ball over, yes. This is still a good football team,” Zimmer said at the news conference. “Even in here it seems like a morgue, but this is a good football team. These guys fought their rear ends off tonight, and I am proud of them.” Cousins had success There was good reason to think that Cousins may be able to go toe-to-toe with Brees on Sunday night as the two former Big Ten quarterbacks had faced off twice before, splitting the record with a win apiece but with Cousins putting up some of the best stats of his career against any single opponent. In their first meeting, in November 2015, Cousins completed 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. The Redskins won that game 47-14. Last year in November, the Saints escaped with a 34-31 victory, but Cousins was fantastic, completing 22 of 32 passes for 322 yards and three scores with no interceptions. Including Sunday’s game, Cousins is 73-for-98 for 1,005 yards, eight touchdowns and the one interception in three games against the Saints. And while Cousins had success Sunday, finishing 31-for-41 for 359 yards, two touchdowns and the interception, Brees moved the only needle that mattered, as he is now 2-1 in his career against teams with Cousins at QB. Bateman a believer Rashod Bateman was one of Gophers coach P.J. Fleck’s big recruiting victories when the 6-1, 185 pound receiver signed out of Tifton, Ga., in the Class of 2018. Bateman had offers from schools such as Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech. But Bateman picked the Gophers, and Friday night in their dramatic victory over Indiana, he showed why he was so highly sought after. Bateman grabbed four receptions for 108 yards, including the game-winning 67-yard touchdown with 1:34 left on the clock. That freshman-to-freshman connection from quarterback Tanner Morgan might have saved the Gophers’ chances at a bowl game as they get ready to travel to Illinois on Saturday.

The Gophers are 10-point favorites on the road against the Illini, who are 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the Big Ten. “Rashod Bateman had plenty of opportunities to play in the SEC and top-five programs, top-10 programs in the country,” Fleck said. “He wanted to come make the University of Minnesota something that it hasn’t been in a long time, a champion. That is what he came here. He wanted to be part of a solution.” Fleck said that he understands that his idea of a holistic approach to recruiting — using phrases like succeeding in four aspects of college life, athletically, academically, socially and spiritually — are not right for every athlete. But he said it was just right for Bateman. “Rashod Bateman has ‘Row The Boat’ tattooed on his arm. It is a lifestyle,” Fleck said. “I am really proud of the progress he is making. I know there is a lot of other freshman out there getting a lot of credit, the known names, Rashod Bateman should be right in those names of freshman in terms of the best in the country. I think he is proving that not only on the field but off the field in terms of being a humanitarian.” Yes after Friday night’s performance, Bateman now rates No. 9 in the country in receiving yards for a freshman with 403.

Five extra points: Treadwell's temper made a bad play worse By Mark Craig Treadwell makes turnover worse Vikings receiver Laquon Treadwell’s temper made Adam Thielen’s game-changing second-quarter turnover even worse when he lost his cool, ripped off his helmet and slammed it to the ground. That moment of rage at the end of a 54-yard fumble return by Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore moved the Saints from the Vikings 33-yard line to the 18. That was a huge mistake, considering only 57 seconds remained in the first half. The Vikings led 13-10 when Thielen caught a 4-yard pass at the Saints 14-yard line. His fumble changed the game, but Drew Brees was not having a typical Drew Brees game at that point. Treadwell did make the tackle, but his undisciplined reaction to the play moved Brees into the red zone. The Saints needed two plays to move 18 yards and score on a 1-yard dive by Alvin Kamara to take a 17-13 lead. Why did Diggs stop running on pick-six? In case you don’t know by now, Stefon Diggs was the star of last year’s “Minneapolis Miracle.” The walkoff game-winning playoff catch and run against the Saints was replayed over and over last week. The Vikings went so far as to replay it on U.S. Bank Stadium’s big screens moments before the game, with the Saints on the field. That has to be some kind of jinx, eh? Diggs had a good game, going over 100 yards and proving he has the talent and route-running ability to be paid as handsomely as he now is. But, unlike the “Minneapolis Miracle,” when Diggs kept running rather than scoot out of bounds for a game-winning field goal attempt, Diggs stopped running his route on the P.J. Williams’ 45-yard pick-six. Kirk Cousins clearly thought Diggs was going to keep running. When he didn’t, Williams had an easy path to a 27-13 Saints lead. Taysom is something special for Saints The highest-rated passer on the field Sunday night wasn’t the $84 million Cousins or the future Hall of Famer Brees. It was Taysom Hill, a 6-2, 221-pound do-everything weapon that Saints coach Sean Payton is only beginning to enjoy unwrapping. The 28-year-old second-year player from Brigham Young needed just five plays Sunday to show how dangerous he can be when he’s lined up in the shotgun and Brees is split wide. The Vikings couldn’t ignore Brees. And Hill is a good enough thrower to make a defense respect the pass. On second-and-9 from the Saints 48, Hill launched a deep ball to Michael Thomas. Even with safety Harrison Smith being flagged for interference, Thomas caught the ball for a 44-yard gain to set up the opening touchdown. Hill also had a 26-yard kickoff return, caught a pass for 5 yards and ran the ball three times. Taysom Hill (7), shown throwing a 44-yard pass in the first quarter Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, is a do-everything weapon for Saints coach Sean Payton. More Emotional challenge too early for Zimmer Mike Zimmer’s red challenge flag was thrown so quickly following the third play of the game that one has to question whether the Vikings coach got too caught up in what was a wildly emotional

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 10/29/18

pregame and opening minutes to a midseason game. Had he waited a little longer, he would have seen or been told that Michael Thomas did indeed get his right heel inbounds before toppling out of bounds with a 20-yard catch on third-and-2. In real time, it looked as though Thomas went out of bounds with Trae Waynes muscling him out in extra tight coverage. But the call was confirmed. Zimmer should have waited until the team was able to view the play a couple more times. Less than two minutes into the game, he lost a timeout and was down to one challenge for the game’s remaining 57-plus minutes. Tale of two fourth-down decisions On the other hand, Zimmer’s decisiveness was spot on and paid off on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line late in the first quarter. The Saints led 7-0 and the Vikings were one offensive possession into the game. But Zimmer alertly knew that kicking short field goals early is a good way to lose to Brees. Picking on cornerback P.J. Williams for the third time in seven snaps, Cousins hit Stefon Diggs for the tying touchdown. Zimmer also went for it on fourth-and-1 at his own 45 to open the second half. In shotgun formation with five wide and an empty backfield, the pass was swatted from Treadwell’s grasp. The call was acceptable, but the formation wasn’t. It needed to at least show the threat of a run or a sneak, especially since the Vikings were running the ball well. Brees turned the short field into three points.

Stefon Diggs on the Minneapolis Miracle, his growth as a receiver and more By Ben Goessling As much as we were able to tell of Stefon Diggs’ story during my piece on him for Sunday’s Star Tribune, there were so many interesting anecdotes — both from my two interviews with Diggs and my conversations with three of his coaches (Bob Milloy, Keenan McCardell and Darrell Hazell) — that didn’t make it into the piece, particularly as they relate to how Diggs refined his skills as a wide receiver and how he brought them to bear on the 61-yard “Minneapolis Miracle” against the Saints last January. So I thought I’d offer a few of them here, as an addendum to my main story on Diggs. Hope you enjoy them: On the “Minneapolis Miracle:” Diggs: “I heard people say [things] like, ‘It was lucky,’ or, ‘The guy missed a tackle.’ There’s so many things that play into the play. I had to catch the ball; I can count some people right now who wouldn’t have caught that pass. Just because I get paid to do what I do, you expect me to catch it; OK, I caught it. Then I can count all the people who probably would’ve have went out of bounds, who would’ve played the game smart, just doing what they were coached to do. Then I can count who wouldn’t have been able to keep their feet to stay in bounds. There’s a list of things I can count. So many factors had to go right for that play to happen, and it did. God’s grace, of course, for something like that to happen. It’s a huge blessing. “We called that play like three times in a row. I’m like, ‘He [offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur] is calling it again. He must be like, ‘Oh, well — we’ll put our hands together and pray for it.” It’s just go — make it work. No matter what cards you’re dealt, you’ve just got to make them work. “Once he missed the tackle, I was taking it to the hut, bro. I’m not thinking about something else. I’m going to the crib. He missed a tackle, because there’s no way he didn’t tackle me as soon as I caught the ball. He had to miss. In .2 seconds, there wasn’t even much in my mind. It was like, ‘He missed — I’m standing up. I’m running. We’ll figure it out later.’ Once I started running, I took two head shakes, because I thought the guy who was covering [wide receiver Jarius Wright] had a chance, but the guy who missed the tackle ended up knocking him off. That’s why I did two head shakes — I was about to start weaving, just to score, but there’s nobody there. I’m like, ‘Damn, I’m about to score. This is lit. “{If somebody would have tackled me,] I would have been the worst guy ever. I would have been the dumbest player in football history, huh? See how different things can pop up? I would’ve been in Vikings history for the worst [reasons].” Hazell: “I was standing on the paint, up the field toward the line of scrimmage, and I was mimicking what he should do — because that’s what you do, you know? You try to mimic the moves, to try to will them to do it. I kind of flinched up and jumped up, and he caught it, and I’m

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 10/29/18

trying to process what’s going on. My mind is saying, ‘Get out of bounds. We’re going to kick a field goal, and we’re going to win it that way.’ But you see him recover his balance, and it’s like, ‘What just happened?’ You just keep saying that: ‘What just happened.’ In 33 years, I’ve never seen anything like that, and I probably won’t again. The timing — the acrobatic play on it, the defender’s play on the ball, all those things had to happen for it to be a miracle. Oh my goodness — that was insane. “The spectators don’t always see all his spectacular plays — like, he’s got some phenomenal balance plays on the practice field. You saw it on the play last year; I’ve seen that from him at least five or six times, where you think a normal guy would go down, but he’s got a tremendous center of gravity. It’s almost cat-like.” Milloy: “I was sitting in my living room by myself; I was the only one home. I have a friendly bet with my ex-roommate, who lives in Colorado, and I’m saying, ‘I just lost this 20 bucks,’ and then, ‘Oh my God — did I just see what I just saw?’ The game was over — the game was literally over. And not only did I win the money, but it was my guy [Diggs] that won me the money. He just went into, I guess, NFL history.” McCardell: “We were in Pittsburgh [for the AFC divisional playoffs,] so I didn’t see it. I saw the replay. When I saw the replay, I just started laughing, because that’s Stef. He does that. That’s what he did at Maryland. That’s what he’s done his whole life: a flair for the dramatic. That’s him. That’s the type of mindset he has. When you have a natural ball-carrier that knows what to do with the ball, that puts the ball in the end zone, he only thinks about putting that ball in the end zone. A natural ball-carrier understands how to run with the ball. He sees everything; he has a great vision. He’s like, ‘I am that guy with the ball in my hands. I am the best with the ball in my hands.’ That’s how he feels.” How Diggs improved as a route-runner: The wide receiver credits McCardell with teaching him the finer points of gaining separation, which has been among Diggs’ best attributes in the NFL. He came to Maryland as the No. 1 recruit in the country, but had to learn what it truly meant to be a receiver from McCardell. Here’s what both of them had to say, as well as Hazell’s assessment of Diggs at the moment: Diggs: “Aside from Coach Hazell and Coach Stew [former Vikings WR coach George Stewart] and people like that I’ve had in the NFL, Coach McCardell was the best coach I’ve ever had, because he taught me how to play receiver. He taught me the smallest details on running routes. He taught me suddenness, he taught me breaks. He didn’t teach me how to catch; he said, ‘We’re going to work on getting you open and creating separation,’ because everybody wants separation. I don’t care you are, I don’t care what quarterback you are, I don’t care what level you’re at, everybody wants to see separation. He taught me how to get open, essentially, and that’s why I hold him to such a high standard. He saw me as a raw talent: I can run, I’ve got good speed, I’m quick, but let’s tailor that into something that will take you farther. “I owe breaking to him. There’s no point in having a Lamborghini if you don’t have brakes. I’m not saying I’m that fast, but he’s saying, ‘If you can’t stop, it don’t matter.’ It just takes you to the next step if you can use your speed as deception, or you can use your acceleration — which he was huge on — and make a guy think you’re running fast, but you’re really just running fast to make yourself stop. Me, when I hit the accelerator, I’m trying to break down. I’m not only trying to run by you, but 9 times out of 10, I’m trying to give you a false illusion. I want to run by you, but I’m really

just trying to stop. [Before McCardell], I was just running around, not really running with a purpose — stopping just how I knew how to stop. Now I just have a way of doing things a lot more technically.” McCardell: “He had a great work ethic, but he had to understand that every time you’re out there, you’ve got to have that mindset of, ‘I’m being evaluated — was it my best?’ and come ask the question, ‘What can I do to get it better?’ I used to tell him, ‘Here, in college, you’ve got a revolving door that keeps you coming in when you have a bad practice.’ In the pros, you have a bad practice, there’s no revolving door. That door locks. You’re outside of the organization; they call your flight, and you’re going to get a pink slip. Your first dose of reality is when you get a pink slip, and you’ve got to take your playbook. He called me one day and he said, ‘Man, I was kind of shocked when one of the guys’ — one of the rookies he was with, he wasn’t there. I said, ‘Man, I told you.’ Once you get that first dose of reality, that this is a job, that this is not college anymore, you understand that this is a business, and you’ve got to go out every day and do what you’re supposed to do, not just on game day.” How he can still improve: Diggs: “You never stop adding. I’ve got a lot of stuff I’m working on, as far as catching the ball, when to catch the ball, how to catch the ball a certain way, away from DBs and stuff like that. And then the YAC [yards after catch]. I’m in love with the YAC. I’m not a drinker, but I do love me some YAC. Hazell: “We’re still working on his details of the game: his route depth, his splits, attention to detail in his splits, always working on driving at the ball when the ball’s in the air, making sure you cut down the flight time on the ball. Just a lot of little details we can still clean up with him, and we texted about it for 20 minutes the other day. He texted me and said, ‘What do I need to do?’ I said, ‘Here are three or four things that can take you to the next step.’ … He has not mastered them yet. The big thing for him is patience on the route. When people start to slow-pedal you, just taking those extra two or three steps into the defender.”

Monday Morning Mailbag: Defense's Strong Night, 4th Down Decisions, More By Mike Wobschall I will never give up on my team, but I'm having trouble finding any positives from the game. Miscues, no pass rush, no urgency and very little fight. Please expose the positive takeaways from tonight. -- Paul P. Seattle WA The team showed great fight in the game. They came out on the wrong side of a 30-20 decision, but there’s no question the fight was there. Head coach Mike Zimmer said as much during his postgame press conference. The defense was without three starters – Anthony Barr, Andrew Sendejo and Xavier Rhodes – and yet Drew Brees was held to 120 passing yards and the Saints finished with fewer net yards, 1st downs and time of possession than the Vikings. All things considered, I thought it was a valiant defensive effort. Execution was lacking at times on offense and there were two crushing turnovers, but I also thought the effort was good on that side of the ball. Two of the Vikings three losses are to the Saints and Los Angeles Rams, who are a combined 14-1 on the season. Before we get too down on the team for this loss, let’s keep the caliber of opponent in perspective and let’s also remember there are eight games to go. What can one say…a fumble that should have been an eventual score, an interception returned for a touchdown and a missed 4th-down conversion…I felt we outplayed the Saints until the 4th quarter when we just ran out of gas. Too deep of a hole to climb out of with the time we had left. Overall, I loved the effort from everyone on both sides of the ball. Just not the outcome we hoped for. -- Nicholas Balkou So many games in this League come down to one or two plays, and Sunday night’s game was no exception. The Vikings had a three-point lead and were looking to make it a 10-point lead with 1:11 to go in the 2nd quarter. They also had the ball coming out of the locker room after halftime. Then, all of a sudden, Adam Thielen loses a fumble, the Saints return it to the Minnesota 33, and it’s New Orleans who has a 17-13 lead at halftime instead of the Vikings staked to a two-score advantage. From there, it was all New Orleans and it all goes back to one crucial play with 1:11 to play in the first half. There were many other plays subsequent to that lost fumble late in the first half that had an influence on the outcome, but there’s no denying that play changed the course and trajectory of the game. Mistakes such as that one and then the pick-six to PJ Williams were indeed too much to overcome, even for a Vikings team that has the heart of a champion and refused to go away quietly against a very talented Saints team. Can you explain the thought process of going for it on 4th down in our own territory? It gave the Saints a short field. I think that play was extremely confusing to understand. -- Judd Thompson

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

Coach Zimmer was asked about this decision during his postgame press conference and he explained that he told the team he planned to be aggressive during this game. That philosophy can be empowering to the team, particularly when you’re facing an opponent who is also aggressive. The Vikings went for it on 4th down two other times in the game, scoring touchdowns on both plays. On the attempt that failed, it was the first possession of the 3rd quarter and coach Zimmer decided to take a calculated risk after an unfortunate turn of events late in the first half had flipped the game around. Converting that 4th down would’ve given the Vikings a chance to re-flip the game around, and it’s hard to blame a head coach for wanting to give his offense that chance near midfield against another powerful offensive team. Can you explain why on 4th and 1 Cousins throws to Treadwell? We have Diggs, Thielen and Rudolph, any one of which would have caught the ball. I was also concerned with the play calling, especially during the 3rd quarter. It seemed predictable as we lined up and ran on 1st down. We had a chance to go up tempo and take the game back, but we just plodded along. We have a very prolific passing attack that is crying to just to be let loose. We let this one slip away. On a positive note, Holton Hill deserves a nod for a strong game. Skol! -- John Stephens Before you get too critical of that 4th down play, just remember that Treadwell was open and Cousins delivered a strike to him. Give credit to Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who made a great play on the ball and forced the incompletion. As for the play calling the 3rd quarter, there were six 1st down snaps for the Vikings. Those six snaps were comprised of five Latavius Murray carries for 18 yards and then a sack of Cousins. Maybe it was predictable, but the Murray rushes had the Vikings in 2nd and manageable, whereas the lone pass attempt on 1st down nearly resulted in a turnover (Cousins fumbled on the sack but replay review overturned the call to a sack and down by contact). Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo is always looking for ways to get better, so I’m sure he’ll be the first to volunteer he could’ve done a better job during the game. But I wouldn’t look at that play calling in the 3rd quarter as a cause for the loss. Better execution, particularly with pass protection, would’ve made a difference in the 3rd quarter. When we were 1-2-1 and my friends here in Chicago were harassing me, I told them with confidence we would win the next three. I didn't say four. We all knew New Orleans was going to be a tough game. It turns out we handled their offense for the most part, but it’s hard to overcome those turnovers. We are on to next Sunday. If we can be 5-3-1 and have a bye week to get healthy, I will be very bullish about this team's playoff future. Bring on Detroit! Skol! -- Cris Arens Yep, you need a short memory in this business. The biggest game is the next game, and for the Vikings that is a date with the Detroit Lions. The Vikings have three consecutive division games coming up, as they travel to Chicago coming out of the bye and then host Green Bay the following week. There is a lot of football left to be played, and Cris is correct that finding success in the remaining five division games will have all of us feeling much better about our prospects for the postseason.

Action Reaction: Vikings Manage Absence of Barr & Rhodes to Limit Saints Offense By Craig Peters MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings welcomed Everson Griffen back to the lineup on Sunday, but the defense was without fellow Pro Bowlers Anthony Barr (hamstring) and Xavier Rhodes (foot) against the Saints. Minnesota also was without safety Andrew Sendejo (groin) for the third consecutive week, but Sunday’s game marked the first time they’ve ever been without both Barr and Rhodes in the same game since Barr joined the squad as a first-round pick in 2014. Ultimately, New Orleans prevailed 30-20, with help from a couple of critical mistakes by Minnesota’s offense, but Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said there were multiple positives from the game. Pregame Photos: Vikings-Saints View pregame images as the Vikings get set to take on the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium. 1 / 67 Pregame question: How would the Vikings try to make up for not having the dynamic playmakers on defense against a high-powered Saints offense? Just as they did after Rhodes left the Week 7 game, Minnesota turned to undrafted rookie Holton Hill at the cornerback spot opposite Trae Waynes. As for Barr, it was a combination of multiple sub packages. The Vikings opened the game with Eric Kendricks and Ben Gedeon at linebacker, along with safeties Harrison Smith, George Iloka and Anthony Harris. Eric Wilson joined Kendricks and Gedeon in base, but the Vikings also alternated with their nickel/“big nickel” defense with corner Mackensie Alexander/safety Jayron Kearse. Griffen did not start, but he entered the game on the third snap of the game. He rotated with Stephen Weatherly and Danielle Hunter. Vikings Battle Saints For Sunday Night Football View game action images as the Vikings take on the Saints under the lights for Sunday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium. 1 / 137 In-game action: The Vikings limited the Saints to 270 net yards and held Drew Brees, the NFL’s all-time leader, to his second-lowest yardage total in 197 starts with New Orleans.

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

Brees finished 18-of-23 passing with 120 yards, a touchdown, an interception and a passer rating of 84.8. Notoriously hard to sack, the Vikings were able to pressure Brees into the turnover when Weatherly rushed the QB and forced a high throw over the middle that Harrison Smith snagged for his 20th career interception and second in as many weeks. Backup QB/kickoff returner/tight end/variable Taysom Hill completed the Saints longest pass of the night, a 44-yarder to Michael Thomas, who led New Orleans with 81 yards on five receptions. Situations of the game, including a fumble returned 54 yards to set up the Saints second touchdown, and a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown, encouraged New Orleans to plod along. Mark Ingram rushed 13 times for 63 yards, and Alvin Kamara rushed 13 times for 45 yards. Kamara added 31 receiving yards on seven catches, and Ingram had 29 yards on three receptions. New Orleans only had two plays gain 20 or more yards. Both were catches by Thomas. For comparison, Minnesota had five plays gain more than 20 yards (three catches by Diggs and one each by Thielen and Kyle Rudolph). Postgame reaction: Mike Zimmer on the defensive performance: “For the most part, I thought it was pretty good. Took away their big plays, they’re a big-time, shot-play team, and we took those away,” Zimmer said. “I thought some of these young guys that came in there played well.” Note: It’s a little difficult to comprehensively evaluate individual performances with so many moving parts, so Zimmer will gain a clearer picture from film study. Harrison Smith on backups stepping in: “Yeah, I mean, guys came in and played well. That’s what’s expected,” Smith said. “There’s no gimmes out here. There’s no, ‘Oh, you’re not a starter, so.’ We expect a high level [from everybody]. Proud of those guys, though.”

Vikings React to NFC North Standings at Season’s Midpoint By Lindsey Young MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota’s 30-20 loss to New Orleans Sunday night was a tough one, but the Vikings aren’t hanging their heads. There’s a lot of season left, and the team intends to fix mistakes and keep moving forward. The Vikings moved to 4-3-1 at the midpoint of the season after falling to the Saints. Kyle Rudolph lamented “self-destruction” that led to the Vikings loss but also pointed out positive takeaways from the game. “We have a really, really good football team,” Rudolph said. “That Saints team is one of the best teams in the NFC, and we outplayed them. Unfortunately with some self-inflicted wounds, we’re not coming away with a win. “So you have to look at the good, take the good, study the bad and try to eliminate that moving forward,” Rudolph added. It’s interesting to look back at the first halves of the Vikings past couple of seasons. In 2016, Minnesota sat at 5-3 but finished the season 8-8. Last season, the Vikings were 6-2 and finished 13-3. The Vikings have experienced ups and downs throughout the first two quarters of the 2018 campaign, but so have their division rivals. The NFC North standings are as follows after Sunday’s slate of games: Bears: 4-3 Vikings: 4-3-1 Packers: 3-3-1 Lions: 3-4 In other words, it’s anyone’s division for the taking. Minnesota, Detroit and Green Bay all suffered Week 8 losses, keeping the race close. “You don’t want to rely on those things, but it’s a long season,” Vikings safety Harrison Smith said. “No matter how good or how bad the season has been since I’ve been in the league, things can shake out different ways. “So there’s no panic mode or anything like that,” Smith added. “You just have to get back to work.”

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

Adam Thielen, who notched an eighth consecutive game with at least 100 yards receiving but committed a costly fumble in the second quarter, maintained a positive outlook for the second half of the season. “We’re not getting discouraged by this by any means,” Thielen said. “[Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer] made a great point with the team, saying we’re a really good football team, and really good football teams bounce back and go to work. I have all the confidence in the world in these guys in the locker room that we’re going to shake this one off.” Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins reiterated that it’s important to maintain confidence. “There is a lot of reason to be optimistic now at the halfway point,” Cousins said. “I feel we have a really good football team. There is obviously a lot we will have to talk about tomorrow morning when we cover the film.” Although half the season is in the rearview mirror, the Vikings still have five of six division games ahead of them. Three of the rivalry games come consecutively, starting with next weekend when Minnesota hosts Detroit for the teams’ first meeting this season. After a Week 10 bye, the Vikings will travel to face the Bears at Soldier Field before returning home to play the Packers for the second time this season. Minnesota and Green Bay tied in Week 2. Vikings defensive end Stephen Weatherly said the NFC North “most definitely” is shaping up to be a marathon. “I feel like the healthiest team is going to win,” Weatherly said. “It’s super close, so we have to keep it going, execute. We have a big game coming up next week, a divisional game. So we need to go ahead and tighten up and buckle up versus the Lions.”

Vikings Defense Contains Brees, but No ‘Moral Victories’ in Tough Loss to Saints By Lindsey Young MINNEAPOLIS – The Vikings defense held Drew Brees to his second-lowest passing yardage total in 13 seasons with the Saints. But at the end of the day, that’s not the stat that the team will focus on. “I mean, that’s what we expect out of ourselves. There’s no moral victories out here,” Vikings safety Harrison Smith said after the game. “We take the good and try to continue doing that.” Brees finished 18-of-23 passing for just 120 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His passer rating was 84.8. Minnesota’s defensive performance was admirable, but a couple of critical turnovers on offense swung the momentum in New Orleans’ favor, and the Vikings fell 30-20 in front of their home crowd Sunday night. “Yeah, you can’t hurt yourself,” Smith said of the turnovers. “But that’s not, it’s a team game, no matter what. We stick together and ride it out, move forward. It’s a long season. Don’t dwell on it too long.” Brees entered the game with zero interceptions in 2018, but Smith picked off the quarterback at the 3:07 mark of the second quarter. On second-and-10 from the Vikings 45, Brees dropped back and was faced with pressure by Minnesota’s defensive line, primarily from Stephen Weatherly, who reached him first. Brees attempted to force a pass to Michael Thomas but found a Purple jersey instead. Smith said he just read and reacted. “I think we got some good pressure on him, forced a hot throw and just going up and getting the ball,” Smith said. Weatherly was asked about the play postgame and responded that he was “just doing my job.” “The tackle blocked down, we were in a front where we knew they were going to potentially slide,” Weatherly explained. “Came off the ball, ran right for the upfield shoulder, I saw [Brees’] arm coming up, I threw my arm up and tried to hit him, affect him. It looked like he wasn’t able to follow through and definitely wasn’t able to step through the throw. “Hit him, [I was] on the ground, the crowd starts cheering, and I look up and Harrison has the ball,” Weatherly said. “So all in all, I’m happy that I was able to affect that. I think that was his first pick of the season – definitely something that helps grow momentum in the game at that point.”

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

The energy unfortunately was short-lived. The Vikings offense drove down the field in hopes of capitalizing on the possession change, but a fumble by Adam Thielen was recovered by Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore and returned 54 yards to the Minnesota 33. “That just goes to show, this game that we play, it’s all about momentum. And if you have it, you can definitely ride it moving forward,” Weatherly said. “We definitely had it, and then with that fumble and return … we lost it just that fast. Then, it was up to the defense to go out and gain it back some way, somehow. It was tough losing that momentum.” The Vikings entered halftime down 17-13, but the team just couldn’t get things rolling again in the second half. Smith acknowledged that it’s difficult to come from behind against a Brees-led Saints squad. “They’re a good football team,” Smith said. “They have one of the greats back there leading them. We just have to keep the pressure there.” Vikings Battle Saints For Sunday Night Football View game action images as the Vikings take on the Saints under the lights for Sunday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium. 1 / 137 Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said he thought the defense’s performance against Brees was “pretty good” for the most part. “Took away their big plays. They’re a big-time, shot-play team, and we took those away,” Zimmer said. “I thought some of these young guys that came in there played well.” The Vikings limited the Saints to four conversions on nine third-down attempts and allowed just 270 net yards. The team’s third loss of the season, however, is the number that the locker room was focused on. “You can win every other statistical category in the game, but if you lose the turnover battle, there’s a high chance you’re going to lose the game,” Weatherly said. “So that’s definitely something we have to work on as a team. Defense creating more turnovers and offense eliminating turnovers.”

Offensive Mistakes Doom Vikings in Primetime Loss By Eric Smith MINNEAPOLIS — With just a little more than a minute left in the first half, it felt like the momentum was going to swing one way or another between the Vikings and Saints. Unfortunately for Minnesota, it was the start of a sequence when control slipped out of the Vikings grasp in what became a 30-20 Saints victory. The Vikings led 13-10 and were in the red zone when Thielen took a screen pass and tried to dart upfield for extra yards. But the ball popped loose after Thielen was hit by a pair of defenders, and New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore scooped it up and ran the other way. The Saints scored a touchdown two plays later with 30 seconds left before halftime, beginning a string of 20 unanswered points. And instead of having a potential double-digit lead [and the ball to open the second half], the Vikings never led again. “That’s probably the biggest reason we lost the game,” Thielen said. “When you have the momentum going into the half, you’re going to score points and get a chance to get the ball in the second half. “That’s a huge play. It can’t happen. I’m going to take ownership of it,” Thielen added. “I’m not happy about it, but I’m going to try to keep doing what I can do to help this team win. That obviously wasn’t it.” Added Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer: “It was disappointing because we had a chance to score there. If we score there … we go up, who knows, seven or 10 points up.” Thielen had seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown, which marked the eight straight game that he’s gone over the century mark. That ties an NFL record for the most consecutive games with 100-plus yards in a season with former Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Thielen’s teammates were quick to point out that play didn’t define the game. “Adam didn’t lose the game; we lost the game as a unit,” said Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who had 10 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. “Adversity is going to hit, and things come up … it’s how you fight back and answer. “I have 100-percent faith in him. I don’t even think about that play because he makes too many [good ones],” Diggs added. “I am behind him all the way.” Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins said he told Thielen: “You’re the best player on our team. It happens. Let’s have the best second half you’ve ever had.”

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

The Saints returned Thielen’s fumble to the 33-yard line, but started the drive at the 18-yard line after Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play for slamming his helmet to the ground. “There were some uncharacteristic things by a lot of us out there,” Treadwell said. “Even my penalty on the sideline … it’s an emotional game, and I have to control my emotions and play better on the field.” Trailing 17-13, Minnesota opened the third quarter by moving the ball to the Vikings 45-yard line before facing a fourth-and-1. The Vikings elected to go for it, but Treadwell couldn’t come up with Cousins’ pass over the middle that would have gone for a first down. “That was a good play by [Lattimore],” Treadwell said. “A good play by him … he gets paid, too, and he made a good play. “Initially, I won the route, but he made a good play,” Treadwell said. New Orleans took advantage of the short field for a field goal and a 20-13 lead. Still only down by a touchdown, the Vikings looked for a game-tying drive but Cousins was intercepted as Saints cornerback P.J. Williams returned the turnover 45 yards for a touchdown. Cousins looked to hit Diggs on a crossing route on second-and-8 from his own 44-yard line before the interception. “It was all on me,” Diggs said. “I was trying to leave him, and I should have done what I’m coached to do instead of stopping. The guy got an easy pick … touchdown. “If we can get that play back, maybe the game would be different,” Diggs added. “Things like that will rack my brain until we see them again.” Vikings Battle Saints For Sunday Night Football View game action images as the Vikings take on the Saints under the lights for Sunday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium. 1 / 137 Cousins said: “It was an unfortunate play. That is just how the game is played … you can do a lot of good things but we define critical errors as turnovers, fumbles, interceptions, occasionally a sack. Critical errors really end up determining outcomes of games and seasons.” Williams’ pick-6 gave the Saints a 27-13 lead, and Minnesota trailed by double digits the rest of the way. New Orleans had one turnover on the day, an interception by Vikings safety Harrison Smith off Drew Brees. It was the Saints quarterback’s first interception of the season, and it came just before the drive that ended with Thielen’s fumble.

Right when it seemed the Vikings were going to grab momentum and take control, it all slithered away. “We have confidence that we’re a really good football team. You can’t make mistakes in this league and win, especially in critical situations when you have the ball in the red zone,” Thielen said. “Obviously, I’m going to think about that one for a while. I’m definitely disappointed in myself. “I’m not surprised it got away. When you play a really good football team and make mistakes, that’s what happens,” Thielen later added. “Obviously, we were just playing ball and trying to go on to the next play. I thought we did a good job of that, but you can’t make mistakes against a really good football team.”

Everson Griffen Emotional, Rusty in Return to Field for Vikings By Eric Smith MINNEAPOLIS — Everson Griffen felt a wide range of emotions Sunday as the clock ticked down to kickoff. The Vikings defensive end had missed the previous five games to focus on his own personal health issues, but made his return to the field on Sunday Night Football in a 30-20 loss to New Orleans. “As I put on my pads, talking to the fellas, walking in the building … it was a combination of everything,” Griffen said. “Just the whole day. Just sitting around in the hotel room and thinking about the game and watching a little tape and getting back to the basics. “Walking in here for the first time [in five weeks], talking to [the equipment guys], warming up and going through my routine … that creates good habits,” Griffen added. Griffen, who did not start but came in on the third play of the game, did not record a sack. He said he felt rusty in his first game since mid-September in Green Bay, and he was flagged for a pair of penalties in the game. Griffen said it hardly mattered how he played, he was just happy to be back on the field and get a sense of normalcy back into his professional life. Vikings fans gave Griffen a loud ovation when he was shown on the video board before the game, and when he was in on a tackle during plays. “I’m here to play good ball, and it felt amazing to be back on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium and be out there with the best fans in the world,” Griffen said. “It was a disappointing loss, but we’ve got to get back to the drawing board. But it felt great to be out there.” “It felt so good. It showed the people care, and I really appreciate that,” Griffen later added. “There’s a lot of love out there for me. My whole goal is to get back to my form and knock the rust off and get back to the grind.” Griffen’s teammates said they welcomed No. 97’s return to organization and to the field. “It’s awesome to see him back out there,” said Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph. “I mean, he just provides such a spark and an energy. “His smile is contagious, his enthusiasm’s contagious, so it was good to see him back out there,” Rudolph added.

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

Added Vikings safety Harrison Smith: “Obviously we want him back as a football player, but as a person, that’s my buddy, so I want him to do great off the field as well. That’s what he’s doing, and we’re just welcoming him back.” Vikings defensive end Stephen Weatherly, who started in place of Griffen, added: “It was definitely something we missed. His pregame speeches definitely get you charged up and you definitely feel the electricity. You can definitely tell he loves the game and that energy spreads. Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said after the game that Griffen was on a limited snap count. “I hadn’t played football in five weeks, so I’m just happy to be out here with my team,” Griffen said. “That’s all I care about. “I’m ready for this week of practice and to get back to the basics and get back to form,” Griffen later added.

5 Takeaways from the Vikings Loss to the Saints By Mike Wobschall The Vikings battled but came up short on Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, dropping a 30-20 decision to the New Orleans Saints fall to 4-3-1. Here are five observations from the loss. 1. Defense bowed up without Barr, Rhodes The high-flying Saints offensive attack had the advantage of taking on a Vikings defense without starters Anthony Barr, Andrew Sendejo and Xavier Rhodes. But the rest of the Vikings starters along with those charged with replacing the injured starters, bowed up and battled Drew Brees and Co. The Saints finished with fewer yards (270), 1st downs (17) and per-play average (5.1 yards) than did the Vikings. Also, only two of the Saints six scoring drives went for more than 35 yards, largely because the Vikings were able to prevent the big play with the exception of an early 44-yard reception from Taysom Hill to Michael Thomas. In the end, the Saints offense made enough plays to build and sustain a lead, but the Vikings defense held up well considering the caliber of opponent and the injuries with which they dealt. 2. Turnovers tipped the scale As the 4th quarter began, the Vikings held the edge in net yards, 1st downs, passing yards, rushing yards and time of possession. The category they didn’t lead? Turnovers. The Vikings had two giveaways and the Saints made them pay, scoring touchdowns off of each one, including a 45-yard return for a touchdown by PJ Williams. The turnovers marred what was an otherwise well-balanced and productive offensive attack for the Vikings. 3. Game changer: Fumble late in the first half Perhaps the biggest turnover was also the game’s biggest moment. The Vikings held a 13-10 lead with 1:11 to go in the first half and they had the ball 1st and 10 from the New Orleans 18; they also were set to open the second half with the ball. At that point, the Vikings were angling for a 10-point lead at halftime plus possession to open the 3rd quarter. Instead, Adam Thielen lost a fumble and New Orleans returned it to the Minnesota 33 and a 15-yard penalty against Laquon Treadwell moved the ball to the 18. A few moments later, the Saints scored on an Alvin Kamara touchdown and they took a 17-13 lead into the locker room at halftime. That sequence of events changed the trajectory of the game, taking the advantage away from the Vikings and putting it squarely in the Saints corner. 4. Diggs, Thielen dominate The Vikings came out on the wrong end of the outcome, but it wasn’t for lack of effort or production from their star wide receivers. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen each surpassed the 100-yard mark, with Diggs hauling in nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown and Thielen gaining 103 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. It’s the eighth straight game with 100

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

yards for Thielen, tying Calvin Johnson’s NFL record, and it is the third game this season with 100+ receiving yards for Diggs. 5. Some perspective and a forward-looking mindset The overreaction and Monday morning quarterbacking will ensue as it always does in this League. Internally, though, and for loyal fans who are in it for the long haul, there are two things to keep in mind. First, two of the Vikings three losses have come to two of the best teams in the NFL – the Los Angeles Rams and the Saints. Combined, the Rams and Saints are 14-1 on the season. Although the Vikings lost both games to those opponents, no one would say the Vikings are incapable of coming out on top of a matchup against either team if one were to present itself down the road. Secondly, the Vikings must quickly put this loss in the rear view mirror because they must focus on what’s ahead, which is a three-game stretch against NFC North opponents. The Vikings host the Lions next week, then head into their bye, and then travel to Chicago before hosting the Packers the following week. There’s a lot of football to be played, including five NFC North games and three of them will be at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Saints Down Vikings 30-20 By Craig Peters MINNEAPOLIS — Momentum — and the lead — flung completely to the Saints in a three-play sequence late in the first half, helping New Orleans leave U.S. Bank Stadium with a 30-20 victory on Sunday. The Vikings had converted third-and-6 and third-and-10 to get the ball to the Saints 18-yard line with just over a minute to go. Kirk Cousins completed a short pass to Adam Thielen just as he had four times before, but on this one, the sure-handed receiver fumbled after a 4-yard gain. Marshon Lattimore scooped the ball and returned it 53 yards to the Minnesota 33 before he was dragged down by Laquon Treadwell After the play concluded, Treadwell threw his helmet and was flagged 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Saints needed just two plays to reach the end zone and take a 17-13 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the first half. Minnesota rushed one time for 7 yards and headed for the locker room. Instead of 16-10 or best-case-scenario 20-10 with juice to start the second half, the four-point deficit zapped the team and crowd an octave or two. Things went from bad to worse in the third quarter. Minnesota’s opening possession ended with an incompletion to Treadwell on a fourth-and-1 play from the Vikings 45. New Orleans (6-1) took nine plays and more than four minutes of clock to drive 21 yards and kick a 42-yard field goal by Wil Lutz for a 20-13 lead with 8:19 remaining. Cousins was intercepted by P.J. Williams two minutes later, and Williams returned the ball 45 yards for a touchdown and 27-13 lead. New Orleans enjoyed the driver’s seat the rest of the way, adding another 42-yard field goal for a 30-13 lead with 9:35 remaining. Minnesota (4-3-1) scored a touchdown on a 1-yard pass to Thielen, but the drive took more than half the remaining time. Notes

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

Everson Griffen returned to action for the first time since Week 2 at Green Bay. Griffen did not start, but he entered the game on the first third down. Stephen Weatherly and Danielle Hunter opened at defensive end. Hunter had his consecutive games streak with a sack snapped at seven. He tackled Taysom Hill, who was in at quarterback late, but the play was a designed run. Thielen finished with 103 yards on seven receptions and the touchdown, tying Calvin Johnson for the most consecutive games with 100 yards receiving in NFL history (eight). Stefon Diggs led Minnesota with 119 yards on 10 catches. He caught Minnesota’s first touchdown of the night. Cousins finished 31-of-41 passing with 359 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for a passer rating of 107.7. He was sacked four times. The Vikings outgained the Saints 242 to 152 and kept the ball for 17:04 in the first half. Brees was 10-of-13 passing for 64 yards with a touchdown and interception for a rating of 80.3. Taysom Hill had a 44-yard completion on a pass to Michael Thomas during New Orleans’ opening drive. Cousins was 15-of-19 passing for 189 yards with a touchdown and passer rating of 125.7. Thielen had five catches for 75 yards, and Diggs had four receptions for 54 yards in the first half. Vikings Battle Saints For Sunday Night Football View game action images as the Vikings take on the Saints under the lights for Sunday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium. 1 / 137 Scoring Drives Q1, 10:33 remaining Saints 7, Vikings 0 Alvin Kamara catches a 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz PAT) [8 plays, 81 yards, 4:27 time of possession] Turning to trickery: The Saints did the brunt of their damage with Taysom Hill at QB. Hill connected with Michael Thomas for a gain of 44 on a second-and-9 play (Brees only had 31 yards in the first quarter). Hill also ran a QB keeper at the goal line with Brees and former Viking Teddy Bridgewater lined up as wide receivers. That play went for no gain, but Brees delivered a shovel pass to Kamara on the following play. Q1, 3:16 remaining Saints 7, Vikings 7 Stefon Diggs catches a 1-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey PAT) [13 plays, 91 yards, 7:17]

Clutch catches: Adam Thielen reached over the head of P.J. Williams for a gain of 14 on a third-and-5 play. Diggs made an incredible adjustment on the football for a gain of 31 to move the ball to the 1. It took four more plays, but the Vikings were awarded for their aggressiveness. Q2, 11:57 remaining Vikings 13, Saints 7 Latavius Murray rushes for a 1-yard touchdown (PAT no good) [7 plays, 80 yards, 4:05] Trickery too: After establishing the run, the Vikings executed a “flea flicker” with Murray taking a handoff and running a couple of steps up the middle before turning and pitching it back to Cousins. The quarterback then hit Thielen for a gain of 28. Q2, 7:27 remaining Vikings 13, Saints 10 Lutz kicks a 52-yard field goal [8 plays, 33 yards, 4:30] First incompletion: A drop by Kamara on a third-and-3 resulted in the first Saints incompletion of the night and prompted the Lutz field goal. Q2, :30 remaining Saints 17, Vikings 13 Kamara rushes for a 1-yard touchdown (Lutz PAT) [2 plays, 18 yards, :27] Momentum swing: Marshon Lattimore’s 53-yard return of a fumble by Adam Thielen was followed with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Laquon Treadwell and moved the ball all the way to the Minnesota 18. Kamara had a 17-yard reception before his quick plunge. Q3, 8:19 remaining Saints 20, Vikings 13 Lutz kicks a 42-yard field goal [9 plays, 21 yards, 8:19] Intentional grounding: New Orleans took over at the Minnesota 45 after the Vikings were unsuccessful on a fourth-and-1 and drove all the way to the 9, but Danielle Hunter forced Brees into an intentional grounding penalty on a third-and-goal from the 10. Q3, 5:58 remaining Saints 27, Vikings 13 P.J. Williams returns an interception 45 yards for a touchdown (Lutz PAT) In stride: Williams continued crossing on a pass that Cousins intended for Diggs.

Q4, 9:35 remaining Saints 30, Vikings 13 Lutz kicks a 42-yard field goal [15 plays, 60 yards, 8:15] Q4, 4:26 remaining Saints 30, Vikings 20 Thielen catches a 1-yard touchdown (Bailey PAT) [13 plays, 75 yards, 5:09]

Vikings List of Inactives Against the Saints on Sunday Night By Chris Corso The Vikings have released the list of players who will not play on Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints. The following seven players will not dress for Sunday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium. QB Kyle Sloter CB Xavier Rhodes RB Dalvin Cook S Andrew Sendejo LB Anthony Barr OT Riley Reiff G Tom Compton The Vikings have announced the changes to Sunday night's starting lineup: Offense RB: Latavius Murray for Dalvin Cook LG: Danny Isidora for Tom Compton LT: Rashod Hill for Riley Reiff RT: Brian O'Neill for Rashod Hill Defense LB: Eric Wilson for Anthony Barr CB: Holton Hill for Xavier Rhodes S: George Iloka for Andrew Sendejo The following Saints will not dress against the Vikings on Sunday night: T Jermon Bushrod C Will Clapp

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

CB Ken Crawley DB J.T. Gray G/T Chaz Green DE Trey Hendrickson DL Mitch Loewen

How to Watch & Listen to Saints at Vikings in Week 8 By Craig Peters EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings will host the Saints at 7:20 p.m. (CT) Sunday in the third meeting between the teams in Minnesota since Week 1 of the 2017 regular season. The Vikings (4-2-1) defeated the Jets 37-17 in Week 7 for their third consecutive victory of 2018. The Saints (5-1) won their fifth game in a row on Sunday after coming back from a 10-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to defeat the Ravens 24-23. The win was sealed after a missed extra point —the first in 223 career attempts by Justin Tucker — with 24 seconds remaining. The game is scheduled to air nationally on NBC. Here are the ways to watch and listen to this week’s game. TV BROADCAST Kickoff: 7:20 p.m. (CT) NBC (KARE 11 in Minneapolis/St. Paul) Play-by-Play: Al Michaels Analyst: Cris Collinsworth Sideline Reporter: Michele Tafoya LOCAL RADIO KFAN 100.3-FM/KTLK-AM 1130 Play-by-play: Paul Allen Analyst: Pete Bercich Sideline Reporters: Greg Coleman and Ben Leber Radio Pre-game Show: Mike Mussman | 10 a.m. (CT) KFAN and KTLK serve as the flagship stations for the five-state Vikings Radio Network. NATIONAL RADIO Westwood One Play-by-play: Tom McCarthy

PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 10/29/18

Analyst: Jason Taylor SATELLITE RADIO Sirius: 81 or Streaming 821 (NO); 83 or Streaming 819 (MIN) XM: 226 or Streaming 821 (NO); 225 or Streaming 819 (MIN) NFL GAME PASS NFL Game Pass provides access to replays of every game, the NFL Films Archive and more for fans in the United States. International fans who subscribe to NFL Game Pass can watch games live. Click here for a free trial. DIRECTV NFL SUNDAY TICKET.TV NFL SUNDAY TICKET.TV provides live streaming service for customers who cannot get DIRECTV where they live. Eligibility is based on location, residence type or enrollment in any university in the U.S. The service allows fans to stream all live, out-of-market NFL regular-season games every Sunday (based on customer’s device location) that are broadcast on FOX and CBS. The service is available on computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles or streaming devices. Three different packages are available. Click here or visit NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV/VIKINGS for more information.e

Vikings implode with critical mistakes in 30-20 loss to Saints By John Holler There are games when a team comes out and simply imposes its will against the another team. Sunday night’s 30-20 win by the New Orleans Saints over the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium wasn’t one of those games. The Vikings seemed to shoot themselves in the foot at almost every turn. From turnovers to penalties to bad play designs to a missed extra point, there were a lot of problems that added up to doom the Vikings Sunday night. The Vikings exchanged punches with the Saints early on, as each team strung together long drives that had the Vikings holding a 13-10 lead with a chance to stick the dagger in the Saints late in the half. With three minutes to play in the first half, Minnesota got an interception from Harrison Smith that gave the Vikings the ball with a chance to drive down the field, milk the remaining time off the clock and an opportunity to put points on the board before halftime and then get the ball to start the third quarter. After Kirk Cousins completed a couple intermediate passes, it looked as though the Vikings would have a chance to open up a 20-10 lead before the half, but on a bubble screen to Adam Thielen, he was hit and fumbled the ball on the Saints 14-yard line. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore scooped up the fumble and raced 54 yards in the other direction. When he was finally brought down, wide receiver Laquon Treadwell threw his helmet, picking up a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that moved the ball all the way down to the Vikings 17-yard line. For the sure-handed Thielen, that uncharacteristic mistake was one that he will live with and take responsibility for. For all the great things he has done – both Sunday night and throughout the season – Thielen knew the gravity of that one play and how it shifted the balance of the game. “That’s probably the biggest reason we lost the game,” Thielen said. “When you have the momentum going into the half, you’re going to score points and then you get a chance to get the ball in the second half, that’s a huge play. It can’t happen. Obviously, I’m going to take ownership of it.” The Saints made the Vikings pay, getting a touchdown off the turnover instead of the Vikings scoring inside the red zone. Instead of potentially heading to the locker room with a 20-10 lead, the Vikings trailed 17-13 and things didn’t get any better in the third quarter. The Vikings started the third quarter with the ball and were faced with a fourth-and-1 from their own 45-yard less than three minutes into the half. Minnesota opted to be aggressive and go for a first down. But they lined up in a shotgun formation with an empty backfield – tipping their hand that an obvious pass was coming and the pass to Treadwell was batted away to give Drew Brees the ball on a short field.

PUBLICATION: VIKING Update DATE: 10/29/18

“I told the team that I was going to be aggressive and that every fourth down that was close, we were going to go for it,” head coach Mike Zimmer said. “It didn’t work out, so what?” The Vikings defense would have a red zone stand that forced the Saints to settle for a field goal, but the damage was done and now the deficit was 20-13. With the game still a one-score deficit, that would change on the next series, as things went from bad to worse. A miscommunication between Cousins and Stefon Diggs saw Diggs stop his route and Cousins throw a soft toss directly to New Orleans cornerback P.J. Williams, who easily caught the ball and raced 45 yards for a touchdown – opening the Saints’ lead to 27-13 and leaving the Vikings in the rearview mirror the rest of the game. “I thought we did some really good things out there tonight,” Zimmer said. “Unfortunately, some of the turnovers – the fumble right before the half and then the interception for a touchdown – kind of put us behind the 8-ball.” If there was a silver lining to be taken away from a loss to a team that most expect to be in the playoffs come January, it was that the Saints didn’t dominate the Vikings. Brees only threw for 120 yards. The Vikings outgained the Saints 423-270. In just about every statistical category, the Vikings held the edge with the notable exception of one – the scoreboard. “Out of all the problems to have as a team, the self-inflicted ones are the ones you want to have,” defensive end Stephen Weatherly said. “You can fix them. You know how to fix. It’s not a personnel problem. It’s an ‘us’ problem. We beat ourselves and we can’t have that going forward, especially versus a team like that. That’s something we’re going to work on moving forward.” With all the hype about the Minneapolis Miracle swirling around the game, it was the painful reality that critical mistakes turned what could have been a huge win to keep the Vikings’ momentum moving forward for the 2018 into a painful loss that has the Vikings looking up at both the Los Angeles Rams and the Saints – two teams the Vikings played and lost to in the first half of their season. But, just as the Vikings weren’t feeling full of themselves when they were winning throughout October, they aren’t going to let themselves get too down. Sleep may not come easy after this game, but there is still a critical division game between now and their bye week in two weeks and the Vikings are going to have to refocus their energy knowing this wasn’t a game in which they were dominated; they caused most of it themselves. “Everybody makes mistakes and we had our share tonight,” offensive tackle Rashod Hill said. “We’re going to have a bad taste in our mouth tonight, but we have to get back at it tomorrow and get ready for Detroit. In the NFL, if you make mistakes, they come back at you. But we can’t dwell on it, just like we don’t dwell on wins for too long. There’s always another team coming.”

Notebook: Griffen happy to be back with teammates, fans By John Holler In a big home loss, there aren’t a lot of good things that emerge, but for one member of the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday night was breath of fresh air – even in defeat. Everson Griffen made his return to the field after missing more than a month dealing with mental health issues. The fans at U.S. Bank Stadium gave him thunderous ovations every time his name was announced or he was shown on the big screen. For Griffen, who has been through the emotional wringer trying to come to grips with some personal demons, having the support of the fans meant a lot to him in his return to action. “I’m here to play good ball and it felt amazing to be back on the field and be back at U.S. Bank Stadium and be back with the best fans in the world,” Griffen said. “It was a disappointing loss and we have to get back to the drawing board, but it felt amazing being back out there.” Griffen has received an outpouring of affection, not just from those within the organization, but strangers from the outside. Like it or not, he has put a celebrity face on the issues of mental health and he appreciated the support he has received over the last month, culminating with him returning to the job he loves. “It does feel good; it showed that people care,” Griffen said. “I really appreciate that. There’s a lot of love out there for me. My whole goal is to get back in my form, knock the rust off and get back to the grind.” Griffen didn’t have a huge game. After missing a month, despite being in very good shape, being in game shape is a little different. He played many of the snaps but was part of a rotation. He finished the game with more penalties (two) than tackles (one), but felt it was a positive step in his recovery process and admitted he has some work to do to get back to being the Pro Bowl player he has been the last three seasons. “I played rusty,” Griffen said. “That doesn’t matter. The biggest thing right now is to get to form and help my team win. We did a lot of good things tonight, but we’ve got to take care of the ball, not have penalties myself. We’ve just got to do a lot of the details of the game to get back to where we want to go.” He would have loved to have capped his first week back with the organization with a big win over the Saints, but Griffen knows that the season has a second half to come and he’s ready to gear up for the long grind that will come between now and the end of the calendar year … and hopefully beyond. But for now, he’s glad to be back where he’s comfortable and where he feels the love. “I’m just happy to be back here with my teammates,” Griffen said. “My No. 1 goal was to get back with my teammates and back where I belong. It feels good.”

PUBLICATION: VIKING Update DATE: 10/29/18

GAME NIGHT NOTES

Of the Vikings’ seven inactive players, six of them were starters – RB Dalvin Cook, OT Riley Reiff and OG Tom Compton on offense and LB Anthony Barr, CB Xavier Rhodes and S Andrew Sendejo on defense.

Adam Thielen continued his record-breaking season by hitting 100 yards receiving again Sunday night. He caught a 27-yard pass late in the game to give him seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown on the night. It was his eighth straight game to start the year with 100 yards, breaking an all-time tie to start a season that he shared with Charley Hennigan of the 1961 Houston Oilers of the AFL.

Thielen’s eight straight games at any point in a season with 100 or more yards ties the all-time NFL record set by Detroit’s Calvin Johnson in 2012.

Thielen’s fourth reception (his 71st) set an NFL record for most catches through eight games of a season, breaking the old record of 70 by Julio Jones in 2015. Thielen has 74 on the season.

Holton Hill made his first career start Sunday, making him the first undrafted cornerback to start for the Vikings since Charles Gordon in 2006.

Harrison Smith recorded the 20th interception of his first seven seasons, becoming just the ninth Vikings player to do so. He is currently tied for eighth place on the all-time list with Nate Wright, and is one behind Carl Lee, two behind Orlando Thomas and John Turner, five behind Joey Browner, six behind Ed Sharockman, seven behind Bobby Bryant and 16 behind Hall of Famer Paul Krause.

Stefon Diggs became the second-fastest in franchise history to reach the 3,000 career yards milestone, accomplishing it in 48 games, tying legend Anthony Carter. Randy Moss holds the record, reaching the 3,000-yard mark in just 36 games.

Kirk Cousins has the most passing yards in franchise history through eight games with 2,521. The previous record was held by Daunte Culpepper (2,354)

Danielle Hunter had his sack streak snapped, although he did tackle a quarterback for a loss. Backup QB Taysom Hill took a shotgun snap and was tackled by Hunter. The play was viewed as a designed run (and therefore not a sack) for a loss of four yards.

The Saints came in with the No. 1 -ranked run defense, allowing 72.3 yards a game and hadn’t allowed a team to run for 100 yards since Tampa Bay in Week 1. The Vikings had 85 yards on 22 carries with Latavius Murray leading the way with 56 yards on 13 carries.

The Vikings limited Drew Brees to just 120 yards passing, while Cousins completed 31 of 41 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns.

The teams combined to punt just four times – twice each. The Saints have punted just 17 times in seven games this season.

Both teams had just eight full possessions during the game. New Orleans had four drives of eight plays or more and the Vikings had three.

Minnesota had two drives of 13 plays, while New Orleans had one of 15 plays.

New Orleans milked the clock late into the third quarter and into the fourth that went a long way to preventing a Vikings comeback. Taking over on their own 16-yard line late in the third quarter, the Saints ran a 15-play, 60-yard drive that ate 8:15 off the game clock, scoring a field goal to take a 30-13 lead with 9:35 to play in the game.

Sunday marked the third return for a touchdown given up by the Vikings when the Saints’ P.J. Williams scored on a 45-yard interception return. The other two were a blocked punt returned for a score by Green Bay and a fumble recovery taken in for a touchdown by Arizona.

The Vikings took a chance with an iffy play call on the first drive of the third quarter. Faced with a fourth-and-1 from their own 45-yard line, the Vikings lined up in a shotgun with an

empty backfield, giving up any look of a potential QB sneak or a run. Cousins’ pass to Laquon Treadwell was broken up and turned the ball over to New Orleans. Nine plays and four minutes later, the Saints kicked a field goal to take a 20-13 lead.

At halftime, the Vikings led in just about every stat with the exception of the scoreboard. Minnesota outgained the Saints 242-152 and held the ball for 17:04 of the half. The Vikings had 184 yards passing and 58 rushing, while New Orleans had 108 passing and 44 rushing. Minnesota gained their yards on 34 offensive snaps, while the Saints had 24 offensive plays.

Cousins completed 15 of 19 passes in the first half for 189 yards, one touchdown and a passer rating of 125.7. Thielen caught five passes for 75 yards to lead the team, followed by Diggs with four catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Brees completed 10 of 13 passes for 64 yards with one TD, one interception and a passer rating of 80.3 in the first half. Michael Thomas caught four passes for 76 yards and Alvin Kamara caught five passes for 26 yards and a TD.

Kamara ran six times in the first half for 33 yards and a touchdown. Ingram had three carries for 11 yards.

In one of the biggest turnaround plays of any game this season, the Vikings looked poised to add to their three-point lead in the final two minutes of the first half in the Saints red zone. Thielen took a bubble screen but fumbled and New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore picked it up on the 14-yard line and returned it 54 yards. A 15-yard personal foul was called on Treadwell for throwing his helmet to move the ball all the way to the Vikings 17-yard line. Two plays later, Kamara scored the go-ahead touchdown with 30 seconds left in the half, giving New Orleans a 17-13 lead they would take to halftime instead of potentially heading to the intermission trailing 20-10.

With three minutes to play in the first half, Stephen Weatherly pressured Brees, who was picked off by Smith – Brees’ first interception of the season. He had thrown 261 straight passes without throwing a pick.

On their second drive of the game, the Vikings drove 80 yards on seven plays, highlighted by a 28-yard flea flicker pass from Cousins to Thielen. The drive ended on a 1-yard plunge by Murray after Williams was called for pass interference in the end zone on a third-down throw to Aldrick Robinson. The Vikings’ touchdown was marred by a missed extra point as Dan Bailey pushed the kick wide left.

Minnesota outgained New Orleans in the first quarter, 112-84. Cousins completed six of eight passes for 67 yards – two passes each to Diggs (32 yards and a touchdown), Thielen (28 yards) and Rudolph (seven yards). The Vikings ran the ball seven times for 45 yards, led by Murray’s three carries for 28 yards.

The Saints completed all seven of their passes in the first quarter. Brees was 6-for-6 for 31 yards and Hill completed his only pass for 44 yards. However, New Orleans ran for just nine yards on four carries in the first quarter.

The Vikings’ first drive of the game was a 13-play, 91-yard marathon that began at their own 9-yard line because of a penalty on the kickoff. Cousins completed five of seven passes on the drive for 66 yards and Murray had three carries for 28 yards. After Rudolph appeared to score a touchdown, but was called for stepping out of the bounds (after being pushed out of the back of the end zone by Saints linebacker Manti Te’o), Cousins went for Diggs on fourth down for a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7 with 3:16 to play in the first quarter.

The first drive included a pair of amazing catches. The first was by Thielen, who reached over the head of cornerback Eli Apple to pull in a 14-yard pass on the third play of the drive. Two plays later, Diggs made an impressive back shoulder catch for 31 yards.

New Orleans scored on the first drive of the game, marching 81 yards on eight plays. Thomas was part of the two biggest plays – a 20-yard pass from Brees and a 44-yard bomb from Hill. Kamara ended the drive with a 3-yard pop pass from Brees to give the Saints an early 7-0 lead.

The Vikings burned a challenge on the third play of the game on a sideline pass to Michael Thomas. They lost the challenge and a timeout less than two minutes into the game.

The loss drops Mike Zimmer’s record as head coach to 26-11 at home.

The Vikings are 14-6 at U.S. Bank Stadium since moving into the stadium in 2016.

The series between Minnesota and New Orleans has been known for its streaks. The Vikings had won the last two meetings, both coming last season. Prior to that, the Saints had won four straight, dating back to the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Prior to that, the Vikings had won the previous game and eight of the previous nine dating back to 1994.

The Vikings are 22-12 all-time vs. the Saints and 14-4 in home games.

Prior to the start of the game, the Vikings played a long montage of the Minneapolis Miracle from last season, including fans at home and inside the stadium that were recording the moment on social media.

2018 Olympic cross country gold medalist and Minnesota native Jessie Diggins led the Skol chant prior to the start of the game.

Anthony Carter, whose electrifying performance in the 1987 playoffs against the Saints led the Vikings to an improbable road playoff win on their run to the NFC Championship Game, was an honorary captain for the game.

The paid attendance was 66,801.

Young, undrafted replacement players held up well By Tim Yotter With six starters out with injury, the Minnesota Vikings relied on young replacements against a dangerous New Orleans Saints offense and future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. Minnesota couldn’t get the job done at home, losing 30-20, but it wasn’t the young defenders that were picked on. Instead, it was mistakes by the usually reliable veterans that turned the tide of the game. The Vikings had a chance at a 20-10 lead late in the second quarter when Adam Thielen took a short pass and ran for 4 yards, but Thielen fumbled the ball while being tackled by Alex Anzalone. Marshon Lattimore returned it 54 yards and the Saints got 15 more after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Laquon Treadwell at the end of the return. The Saints scored for a 17-13 lead at the half. “Obviously, that is probably the biggest reason we lost the game,” Thielen said. “… I am going to take ownership of it.” The Saints added to that when another receiver mistake caused an interception. As Kirk Cousins stepped up and scrambled, he was unloading a short pass to Stefon Diggs, but the receiver stopped on the route. P.J. Williams corralled the easy interception and returned it 45 yards untouched for the touchdown and a 27-13 lead. The Vikings’ mistakes beat them as much as the Saints did. “100 percent. They have a great football team and we have a good football team as well,” Diggs said. “In a critical situation we can’t make errors and we did. … We shoot ourselves in the foot. We had a turnover and I remember the play. It was all on me and the guy got an easy pick. Maybe if we could get that play back things would be different.” Those 14 points off turnovers were the difference in the 10-point loss. However, the young replacements on defense held up their end. With linebacker Anthony Barr ruled out with a hamstring injury and cornerback Xavier Rhodes out with a foot injury, the Vikings turned to two undrafted youngsters in their place. Second-year linebacker Eric Wilson took Barr’s place for much of the game and rookie Holton Hill was in for Rhodes (the Vikings previously lost first-round cornerback Mike Hughes for the season). Make that two undrafted defenders replacing two former first-round picks and highly paid players. “I was a little nervous, but I had my teammates there for me, supporting me and rooting me on and stuff,” Hill said. “I just went out there and executed.” Barr had played in 94 percent of the team’s defensive snaps this season and hadn’t missed a game since December 2015. Wilson entered the game playing in less than 9 percent of the snaps this season – 38 total.

PUBLICATION: VIKING Update DATE: 10/29/18

“I felt like I was focused, just ready to do my part on defense,” Wilson said. “Yeah, I got more snaps on defense. I think I had maybe two tackles – maybe – I was just trying to be around the ball as much as I could. I don’t think there was a whole lot for me to do for what there was. I just did my job.” Although he was on the field more than usual, Wilson didn’t have the action come his way very often. He finished with only one tackle and was targeted only once in the passing game, a 4-yard catch for receiver Michael Thomas. “It’s awesome to be able to get more snaps on defense and try to make an impact for our team,” Wilson said. “I hope that I get more opportunities and more chances to play.” Rhodes hadn’t hadn’t been inactive since the first two games of the 2016 season and had played in over 90 percent of the defensive snaps this season, 413 of them total. Hill’s snap count this season: 39. And that includes 18 in the last game filling in for Rhodes. Hill put in a full-game effort and also held up nicely. He wasn’t even targeted until New Orleans’ fourth drive. Brees threw incomplete with Hill in coverage and Harrison Smith intercepted the next pass. In the second half, Brees targeted Hill again near the end zone, but the pass was wide of Austin Carr and the Vikings forced the Saints into a 42-yard field goal after they had first-and-goal on the 9-yard line. He went after Hill one more time in the third quarter and the rookie made a shoestring tackle on Tre’Quan Smith for a 6-yard gain. All total, it was three targets to Hill’s coverage for one 6-yard completion. Against Brees, that was a strong showing – and pretty surprising that the future Hall of Fame quarterback didn’t look more to Thomas when Hill was assigned to him. “I just had the mindset as if he was going to come at me every play. If I had that mindset, then it doesn’t matter if he comes to at me or not,” Hill said. “I was kind of surprised that they didn’t try to come my way more, but it is what it is.” Like Wilson leaning on Barr when he came to the sideline after each series, Hill sought out Rhodes for advice, too. “Most definitely,” Hill said. “Like when I’m not playing and I see something that he doesn’t see – it’s a different view from the sideline – and vice versa. When I’m not playing, I [find out] what he sees or what I see on the sideline. That’s the same thing he was doing for me today.” Zimmer had a message for the young defenders last week. “Go out and play, baby. It’s what we do. It’s why we do this. It’s why we get paid. It’s what they live for,” Zimmer said. Wilson and Hill knew they were going to get the opportunity and each of them did their part. Brees threw for only 120 yards, a touchdown, an interception and an 84.8 rating.

Thielen, Diggs continue to set NFL, Vikings records By Scott Grams GAME NOTES vs. NEW ORLEANS Adam Thielen set an NFL record for most 100-yard games receiving to start a season. 8 Adam Thielen, Minnesota, 9/9/18 - 10/28/2018 7 Charley Hennigan, Houston, 9/24/61 - 11/5/1961 Thielen set team record for most receptions in the month of October. 34 Adam Thielen, 2018 33 Cris Carter, 1994 30 Percy Harvin, 2012 30 Cris Carter, 1999 Thielen set a team record for most receiving yards in the first eight games to start a season. 925 Adam Thielen, 2018 878 Randy Moss, 2003 Thielen set a team record for most receiving yards in eight consecutive games. 925 Adam Thielen, 9/9/18 - 10/28/2018 878 Randy Moss, 9/7/03 - 11/2/2003 864 Sidney Rice, 10/11/09 - 12/6/2009 Thielen set a team record for most receptions in the first eight games to start a season. 74 Adam Thielen, 2018 60 Percy Harvin, 2012 60 Cris Carter, 1994 Thielen set a team record for most receptions in eight consecutive games. 74 Adam Thielen, 9/9/18 - 10/28/2018 68 Cris Carter, 9/24/95 - 11/19/1995 66 Cris Carter, 9/18/94 - 11/13/1994 Thielen tied a team record for most 100-yard games receiving in a season. 8 Randy Moss, 2003 (5-3) 8 Randy Moss, 2000 (6-2) 8 Adam Thielen, 2018 (4-3-1) Thielen moves into second place in the NFL all-time for consecutive games with 100 yards receiving and a touchdown in each game. 6 Bill Groman, Houston, 10/13/61 - 12/10/1961 5 Patrick Jeffers, Carolina, 12/5/1999 - 1/2/2000 5 Adam Thielen, Minnesota, 9/27/18 - 10/28/2018 4 Calvin Johnson, Detroit, 11/11/12 - 12/2/2012 4 Randy Moss, New England, 9/9/07 - 10/1/2007 Stefon Diggs moves past Ahmad Rashad’s 250 receptions in the first four seasons.

PUBLICATION: VIKING Update DATE: 10/29/18

308 Randy Moss, 1998-2001 280 Percy Harvin, 2009-12 267 Rickey Young, 1978-81 258 Stefon Diggs, 2015-17 250 Ahmad Rashad, 1976-79 Diggs ranks tied for second for fewest career games needed to reach 3,000 career receiving yards. He becomes the 16th Vikings player to achieve that. 36 Randy Moss, 1998-2000 NFC 48 Stefon Diggs, 2015-18 48 Anthony Carter, 1985-88 Diggs moves into third place for most 10-reception games in a career. 14 Cris Carter, 1990-2001 8 Randy Moss, 1998-2004, 2010 5 Stefon Diggs, 2015-18 4 Adam Thielen, 2012-18 4 Percy Harvin, 2009-12 Diggs moved into ninth place for most 100-yard games receiving in a career. 41 Randy Moss, 1998-2004, 2010 40 Cris Carter, 1990-2001 22 Anthony Carter, 1985-93 18 Jake Reed, 1991-99, 2001 15 Adam Thielen, 2014-18 13 Sammy White, 1976-86 13 John Gilliam, 1972-75 13 Ahmad Rashad, 1976-82 9 Percy Harvin, 2009-12 9 Stefon Diggs, WR, 2015-18 The WR duo of Diggs and Thielen become the sixth to reach 500 combined career receptions. 1,294 Cris Carter 881, Jake Reed 413, 1990-99, 2001 735 Ahmad Rashad 400, Sammy White 335, 1976-82 645 Cris Carter 337, Randy Moss 308, 1998-2001 597 Anthony Carter 375, Hassan Jones 222, 1986-92 544 Cris Carter 426, Qadry Ismail 118, 1993-96 512 Stefon Diggs 258, Adam Thielen 254, 2015-18 Kirk Cousins’ 31 completions vs. New Orleans in a single game ranks second-most in the series. 33 Warren Moon, 11/6/1994 31 Kirk Cousins, 10/28/2018 Cousins’ completion percentage vs. New Orleans in a single game ranks third in the series. 84.4 Sam Bradford, 9/11/2017 78.1 Warren Moon, 11/19/1995 75.6 Kirk Cousins, 10/28/2018 Cousins’ passing yards vs. New Orleans in a single game ranks fourth-most. 425 Daunte Culpepper, 10/17/2004

420 Warren Moon, 11/6/1994 361 Wade Wilson, 12/21/1986 359 Kirk Cousins, 10/28/2018 Cousins set a team record for most passing yards in the first eight games at the start of any season. Here is the list of 2,000-yard quarterbacks after eight games. 2,521 Kirk Cousins, 9/9/18 - 10/28/2018 2,349 Daunte Culpepper, 9/12/04 - 11/8/2004 2,056 Warren Moon, 9/4/94 - 10/30/1994 2,009 Daunte Culpepper, 9/8/02 - 11/3/2002 2,000 Brad Johnson, 8/31/97 - 10/26/1997 Cousins set a team record for most passing yards in eight consecutive games. 2,521 Kirk Cousins, 9/9/18 - 10/28/2018 2,470 Daunte Culpepper, 9/20/04 - 11/14/2004 2,390 Warren Moon, 10/30/94 - 12/17/1994 Cousins tied a team record and becomes the fifth Vikings QB to have 100-plus completions in the month of October. 110 Daunte Culpepper, 2004 110 Kirk Cousins, 2018 105 Warren Moon, 1995 104 Case Keenum, 2017 102 Warren Moon, 1994 Holton Hill started his first career game at cornerback. The last undrafted rookie cornerback to start a game was Charles Gordon in 2006. Harrison Smith becomes the ninth Vikings player to intercept 20 passes in a Viking’s first seven seasons. 36 Paul Krause, 1968-74 27 Bobby Bryant, 1968-74 26 Ed Sharockman, 1962-68 25 Joey Browner, 1983-89 22 Orlando Thomas, 1995-2001 22 John Turner, 1978-83, 1985 21 Carl Lee, 1983-89 20 Nate Wright, 1971-77 20 Harrison Smith, 2012-18 Vikings are 22-12 vs. New Orleans all-time and at home are 14-4.

Sunday slant: Injuries mar otherwise thrilling matchup By Tim Yotter The Minnesota Vikings hosting the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night is one of the biggest games in the first two months of the NFL schedule. It’s a rematch of the divisional round of NFC playoffs and ballyhooed for the “Minneapolis Miracle.” Hype will be around every corner. Sunday Night Football. Drew Brees vs. Kirk Cousins. The Saints returning to one of their most heartbreaking and unusual playoff losses. The Vikings’ thrill of victory last year before their embarrassing defeat in Philadelphia. Mike Zimmer vs. Sean Payton, both former coordinators for the Dallas Cowboys. And both teams in position to make the playoffs again this season. There is so much to like about this matchup. Unfortunately, it won’t be a greatest test of where the two teams stand for the playoffs. The Saints have all of their starters healthy. The Vikings are in a much different position. Four starters have been ruled out, another doubtful and a sixth is questionable. On offense, running back Dalvin Cook is missing his fourth straight game with a lingering hamstring injury and remains under 100 yards rushing for the season. After a tremendous start to his career in the first three games of 2017, his injuries have mounted and put a cloud over his long-term availability. Left tackle Riley Reiff is also out with a foot injury. On defense, the least significant of the lost starters is safety Andrew Sendejo. A trio of backups – George Iloka, Anthony Harris and Jayron Kearse – have proven competent in covering for his loss. But not having linebacker Anthony Barr’s range in the run game could prove costly with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram’s one-two backfield acumen. It opens the door for Eric Wilson to prove he could be a viable option if Barr leaves in free agency after this year. Officially, Xavier Rhodes is listed as questionable, but even when he had pads on for Friday’s practice, he wasn’t able to do all the pre-practice stretching, working with a noticeable limp in the injured ankle. That opens the door for undrafted rookie Holton Hill to show whatever progress he has made with limited practice reps since training camp. Certainly, Payton and record-setting quarterback Drew Brees will scheme up numerous targets Hill’s way. Brees now has beaten all 32 of the NFL’s teams, joining Brett Favre and Peyton Manning as the three quarterbacks to accomplish that. He is also the fourth player in NFL history with at least 500 career touchdown passes (he has 501), joining Manning (539), Favre (508) and Tom Brady (504). Vikings coach Mike Zimmer encouraged Brees to retire this week, but that’s the result of ultimate respect for how the veteran quarterback can carve up the best defenses in the league. It will be far different than facing rookies like Josh Allen, Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold, as the Vikings have in three of their last five games, Zimmer admitted.

PUBLICATION: VIKING Update DATE: 10/29/18

“This guy is amazing. I’ve always thought when you talk about Hall of Fame quarterbacks, he’s going to be one, but he’s very cerebral, accurate,” Zimmer said of Brees. “He’s moving well in the pocket. I was watching tape [last week] and I thought, ‘How old is this guy? I thought he was getting old.’” Hill said he is embracing the challenge of Brees throwing his way. We’ll see how he feels about that around 11 p.m. on Sunday after the game. “Go out and play, baby!” Zimmer said of Hill and Wilson likely having bigger roles in a nationally televised game. “It’s what we do. It’s why we do this. It’s why we get paid. It’s what they live for.” The Saints will be the ultimate test for the young players forced into action, but the imposing challenges go beyond Brees. The Saints are dangerous because of him, but Payton has a difficult scheme and philosophy to crack. Neither are afraid to take the kill shot at any point and they have been linked at the hip for a decade. Zimmer called Payton, his good friend, “indiscriminate” in his play-calling. “Call anything at any time. Call anything. Second-and-1, he might be in no backs,” Zimmer said. “Play-action shots on first, and possession, it doesn’t matter. Formations, movements, personnel groupings, he doesn’t care. I don’t think he cares about down and distance.” The Saints can certainly strike at any point in the game, but Brees and Payton are at their best after deciphering defensive approaches as the game rolls on. The Vikings know that first-hand after building a 17-0 halftime lead against them in the playoffs last year, then seeing Brees go through the Vikings defense like a hot knife through butter. With 3:01 to play in that game, the Saints took their first lead, 21-20, with three Brees touchdown tosses. Those three touchdown drives came on only 12 minutes combined time of possession. The Vikings helped build their first-half lead thanks to a Brees interception that resulted in a touchdown, but he hasn’t thrown a single interception yet this season. Certainly, the Vikings aren’t going to cower and head for a corner entering Sunday night’s game, but facing a nearly full-strength Saints team, the Vikings could be missing six starters and Pro Bowlers among them. Zimmer is taking the right approach in preparing the replacements. “These guys come in here to play. They don’t come in here to sit. Guys that don’t have confidence don’t usually last in this league. [Hill] is not a guy that is afraid. Just go out and play,” Zimmer said. Both teams need the win. The Saints currently have the second seed in the NFC and would love nothing more than to try to earn homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The Vikings want to keep their slim lead in the NFC North and a win with a shorthanded club could give them momentum with one game left until their bye with a heavy divisional stretch ahead of them. A loss wouldn’t be crippling, considering the potential to have more than $40 million of talent sidelined between Rhodes, Barr, Reiff and Sendejo. Either way, the hype is real and the test will be difficult. If the Vikings emerge with a win, they will be considered one of only a few favorites to

win the NFC. If they don’t, they might have to be prepared to get there by winning on the road in the playoffs. “We are not going to cancel the game,” Zimmer said. “We are going to show up on Sunday night, trust me.”

Key matchup: Stopping Saints’ two-headed backfield By John Holler Over the last decade, the New Orleans Saints have made their name on the arm of future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. Of the nine seasons in NFL history that a quarterback has thrown for 5,000 or more yards, five of them have been by Brees. But, that one-dimensional style, regardless of how prolific it was, led to three straight 7-9 seasons from 2014-16 in New Orleans and no playoff appearances. Now, however, the emergence of running back Mark Ingram and the arrival of Alvin Kamara last season brought a change to the Saints offense that made them much more balanced and effective on offense, leading to an 11-5 record last season and a playoff appearance for New Orleans. While Brees is as dangerous a quarterback as there is in the NFL, this week’s key matchup will be how the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive front seven attempts to contain Kamara and Ingram. The Vikings have improved steadily this season, due in part to having a defense that has been able to contain the run, but the Saints have a pair of players who do a lot of damage and help the typically high-octane Saints play a ball-control style if necessary. “They have two backs that they use a lot,” defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said. “You’re always looking to stop Brees, but they can run the ball and keep balance. Our first job is going to be stopping those running backs, because they use them a lot.” For years, the Saints offense ran through Brees and the passing game. Running backs were important to the offense, but there was never anything resembling balance. They used undersized backs like Darren Sproles and Reggie Bush in their backfield, but they were as much receivers as they were rushers in the New Orleans offense. That began to change in 2016 when Ingram, a former first-round pick who had been largely viewed as a disappointment, not a franchise back, posted his first career 1,000-yard rushing season. For the first time in a long time, the Saints had a pass/rush balance and the addition of Kamara transformed the New Orleans offense almost immediately. The two-headed backfield didn’t render Brees moot – he still threw 536 passes for 4,334 yards, but he threw just 23 touchdowns. That was the lowest TD total of his career as a full-time starter and it was due in large part to sharing the ball with his two running backs with the Saints being effective pounding the ball in when they got in the red zone. Ingram was the primary ground threat, rushing 230 times for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards a carry. But Kamara proved to be a danger in the run game as well, rushing 120 times for 728 yards and eight TDs – a sparkling 6.1-yard average. It was their ability to find balance and create big plays in the run game that made the New Orleans offense as effective as it had been in years, thanks as much to the run game as the pass game.

PUBLICATION: VIKING Update DATE: 10/29/18

“Everybody knows who Drew Brees is, but a lot of their success has come from being able to run the ball,” safety Harrison Smith said. “Those two guys have different styles, but they both get the job done. We’re going to have to keep them from making plays. If we can do that and make them one-dimensional, that plays into what we do on defense.” The problem the Kamara-Ingram tandem brings is that they are just as dangerous as receivers as they are as runners. Last year, Kamara finished second on the team with 81 receptions for 826 yards and five touchdowns, catching five or more passes in 10 games, including eight of the last nine. Ingram finished third on the team with 58 receptions for 416 yards. The Saints haven’t enjoyed the same level of success in the run game thus far this season, but part of that is due to Ingram serving a four-game suspension to start the season. Kamara has still been a game-breaker, rushing for 363 yards and six touchdowns and catching 40 passes for 362 yards and another TD. In the four games before Ingram came back, Brees averaged more than 40 passes a game. In the two games since Ingram’s return, New Orleans has had the two games with its most rushing attempts (29 and 39) and the two games with the fewest pass attempts by Brees (29 and 30). The Saints have found a way to achieve balance on offense because of the threat of a running back and that fact isn’t lost on the Vikings. “They can do a lot of things,” defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson said. “Brees can throw the ball all over the field, but they run the ball as much as any team we’ve faced this year. They had a drive last week that was like 20 plays. They can grind and we have to be able to stop the run first and then pin our ears back and come after Brees.” There is no questioning the Hall of Fame resume of Brees. He set the NFL record for completion percentage last season at 72.0 percent and is on pace to shatter that record this year – completing a whopping 77.3 percent of his passes (170 of 220) with 1,870 yards, 13 touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 121.6 in six games. But, with the return of Ingram, the Saints have become one of the more balanced offenses in the league and, while much of the focus heading into Sunday night’s game will be on the potential passing battle between Brees and Kirk Cousins, it can be argued the most telling battle that will determine who wins and who loses will be the Vikings’ front seven trying to keep Kamara and Ingram in check, which is why that will be this week’s key matchup.

PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 10/29/18

Zulgad: Sinking ship? Loss to Saints creates more questions about Vikings By Judd Zulgad MINNEAPOLIS — Mike Zimmer attempted to put a positive spin on the events that took place Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium, but a child could have seen through this acting job. “I thought we battled, I thought there were a lot of good things,” Zimmer said following a 30-20 loss to New Orleans. “Offensively, they really didn’t slow us down at all. We moved the ball well. Defensively, other than the wildcat throw (that went for a 44-yard gain in the first quarter) we took away the big plays pretty well. (We) just didn’t get the job done.” Don’t be fooled by Zimmer’s words. His tone gave away how the emotional coach really felt and so did the short answers he gave in a 3-minute, 45-second session with a group of reporters whom he had no interesting in sharing any insight into a team that has lost as many games this year as it did in the entire 2017 regular season. The Vikings were without five starters on Sunday, including three on defense (linebacker Anthony Barr, cornerback Xavier Rhodes and safety Andrew Sendejo), but still led by three and had driven to the Saints 18 yard line late in the second quarter when Kirk Cousins found Adam Thielen for a 4-yard gain. That’s when everything went wrong. The sure-handed Thielen lost the ball when he was hit by Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore returned the fumble 54 yards to the Vikings 33-yard line and a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Laquon Treadwell set up New Orleans at the Minnesota 18. Two plays later, running back Alvin Kamara scored on a 1-yard run to give the Saints a 17-13 lead. New Orleans never again trailed. The loss — which included cornerback P.J. Williams’ 45-yard Pick Six of a Cousins pass in the third quarter — leaves everyone, including Zimmer, unsure about the Vikings. Minnesota (4-3-1) now sits in second place in the NFC North behind Chicago (4-3), which beat the Jets on Sunday. The Vikings had a chance to put themselves in the conversation for the upper-tier teams in the NFC with a victory. Instead, the Vikings are clearly not in the same class with the Rams and Saints. Both of those teams have now beaten Minnesota this season. The Vikings, meanwhile, have yet to beat a team that has a better than .500 record this season. Minnesota has one game to go before its bye — the Vikings will play host to the NFC North rival Lions next Sunday — and that one now will be crucial. The Vikings will play three consecutive games against division foes, facing Chicago and Green Bay in back-to-back weeks after their off week. “We made some mistakes, yes” a salty Zimmer said Sunday night. “We turned the ball over, yes. This is still a good football team, even (if) in here it seems like a morgue. This is a good football team .These guys fought their rear ends off tonight and I’m proud of them.” Zimmer was choosing his words carefully in part because he remembers what happened in 2016 when he failed to do so. The Vikings were 5-0 and coming out of their bye week when they lost at Philadelphia. Zimmer did not attempt to hide his anger that day and soon thereafter lost his team.

He has no interest in making that mistake again. Zimmer also had the luxury last season of criticizing any and all mistakes that Keenum made and even some that he simply came close to making. Keenum was a career backup and a harsh assessment of his play didn’t seem to impact him. The same likely would not be true when it comes to Cousins, the Vikings’ $84 million man who appears to be best treated with kid gloves. Expectations remain high for this Vikings team, although it’s not clear how good this collection really is at the moment. Sunday’s loss to the Saints did little to answer any questions and simply created more of them. That left Zimmer in a foul mood — no matter how positive of spin he tried to put on things — and given what had just transpired it was easy to understand why. The only question now is whether Zimmer’s mood will improve in the coming weeks. That certainly isn’t a given.

PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 10/29/18

Cousins offers no explanation for key interception, Diggs takes blame By Matthew Coller MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings’ chances at beating the New Orleans Saints went to nearly zero when a floating pass from Kirk Cousins landed in the arms of cornerback P.J. Williams, who promptly took it back for a game-changing touchdown. Following the game, Cousins was not interested in digging into the details of the play. “We will go back and talk about it internally,” Cousins said. “It was an unfortunate play. This is how the game is played. You can do a lot of good things, but we define critical errors as turnovers, fumbles, interceptions and occasionally a sack. Critical errors really end up determining the outcomes of games.” When asked for more detail, Cousins shot down questions, saying “you guys would know better than me.” The Vikings were driving midway through the third quarter down by seven points when Cousins was pressured by the Saints’ pass rush and threw a pass in the direction of receiver Stefon Diggs, who stopped on his route. On the interception, Diggs said: “(Cousins) was under duress and I was trying to give him a relief throw just because the pocket was collapsing and I was trying to show him my hands and he just did what he’s coached to do, threw it to the spot. Miscommunication, and I take full responsibility. He did everything right. It was all me.” The Vikings have committed at least one turnover in every game this year, four of which have come on Cousins interceptions. He also has seven fumbles. Cousins had a fumble overturned following a replay that showed his knee was down. Receiver Adam Thielen’s second quarter red zone fumble, however, set up a Saints touchdown. Asked what he said to Thielen after the miscue, Cousins said: “You’re the best player on our football team, it happens. Let’s have the best second half you’ve ever had. That is the mindset you have to have anytime stuff happens.” Overall the connection between Cousins and his two top receivers was hitting on all cylinders against the Saints. The Vikings’ franchise quarterback went 17-for-18 for 222 yards and two touchdowns when targeting Thielen or Diggs.

PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 10/29/18

Everson Griffen: ‘It felt amazing to be back out there’ By Matthew Coller MINNEAPOLIS — Vikings star pass rusher Everson Griffen hasn’t taken the field at US Bank Stadium since Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. Following his absence while dealing with a mental health issue, Griffen returned to the team this week and played the majority of Sunday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints. “I’m here to play good ball,” Griffen said after the 30-20 loss. “It felt good to be back on the field and to be back at US Bank Stadium and to be back with the best fans in the world. It’s a disappointing loss, but we have to get back to the drawing board. But it felt amazing to be back out there.” The first assignment for the returning defensive end was not easy. He matched up for most of the night against star left tackle Terron Armstead. Griffen finished with just one tackle and he took an offsides penalty. “It does feel good, to see that people care,” Griffen said. “I really appreciate that, there’s a lot of love out there for me. My whole goal is to get back to my old form. Knock the rust off and get back to my grind.” Head coach Mike Zimmer would not give an evaluation of Griffen’s play following the game, but said that he did intentionally limit his snaps. Griffen split snaps with Stephen Weatherly, who has admirably filled Griffen’s shoes since he took time away from the team starting in Week 3. ”Definitely an emotional plug for everyone out there,” Weatherly said of Griffen’s return. “He was able to get out there and mix it up and make some great plays. I think he had a couple of tackles and a handful of pressures. It will take him awhile to get back into the groove of things, but we are excited to have him back.”

PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 10/29/18

Boatload of errors cost Vikings against Saints

By Matthew Coller Minneapolis, MN. – If you were putting together a “keys to the game” graphic for Minnesota Vikings against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football, it would have advised that they take advantage of a bad Saints secondary, get some key stops and turnovers against Drew Brees and run the ball effectively. They did all those things, but the Vikings made so many game-changing blunders that they had no chance to come away with a prove-it type of win at US Bank Stadium. The Vikings opened the game by allowing an impressive drive to the Saints, which saw the New Orleans offense travel 81 yards for a touchdown. But Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota offense responded quickly with a magical 91-yard response. Adam Thielen Moss’d star corner Marshon Lattimore and Stefon Diggs made two terrific grabs, one of which was a touchdown on fourth-and-goal. Both teams exchanged punches again in short order with a Vikings touchdown (and missed extra point) and Saints field goal. At 13-10, with the Vikings in front, the much-anticipated contest appeared to be shaping up as expected. A Sunday Night Shootout in front of a crowd that was ready to drive Brees crazy all night. Then the Vikings caught a break. An overthrown ball by Brees right into the hands of Harrison Smith set Minnesota up to take a double-digit lead into the half. Instead the Vikings committed back-to-back mistakes that would turn out to not only shape the game but become the trend in the second half. With 3:03 left in the second quarter, Cousins began dicing up the Saints’ defense again, hitting on two third-and-long conversions, one to Kyle Rudolph and the other to Aldrick Robinson. On first-and-10 from the New Orleans 18, the flung a quick pass to Thielen on a play the Vikings have used with great success throughout this season. After four yards, the Vikings’ star receiver was drilled by a Saints linebacker, sending the ball tumbling into Lattimore’s hands. He returned it to the Minnesota 33, which might have made it possible for the Vikings to hold the Saints to a field goal, but Laquon Treadwell inexplicably took a 15-yard penalty, setting up an easy touchdown for New Orleans. With 0:30 in the half and two timeouts, the Vikings could have taken a stab at getting some of those points back. Mike Zimmer elected to run the clock out, which drew boos from the home crowd. Still the Vikings were very much in the game, down just four with the ball coming back to them in the second half. After moving the ball to midfield, Zimmer elected to be aggressive on fourth down again, but Cousins stunningly targeted Treadwell, who had the ball knocked loose by Lattimore. Yale Sports Analytics chimed in about the decision to throw Treadwell’s way rather than using a QB sneak. Matthew Coller

✔

@MatthewColler · 2h

You mean use the most statistically successful play in that situation? I’m not sure. Yale Sports Analytics @YaleSportsGroup https://sports.sites.yale.edu/success-short-yardage-play-types-fourth-down … 9:08 PM - Oct 28, 2018 1 See Yale Sports Analytics's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy Still the Vikings’ defense held strong and allowed only a field goal to Brees and Co., putting the Saints up by a touchdown. At that point, as bad as the fumble and failed fourth down were, the Vikings sat only down a touchdown. Until an apparent miscommunication between Cousins and Diggs put an end to any chance the Vikings had to put themselves in the conversation for the NFC’s best team. Cousins flipped the ball underneath in Diggs’ direction, but the receiver appeared to sit down in the zone rather than continuing his route and PJ Williams walked it into the end zone. The Vikings couldn’t respond quickly, allowing a sack on third-and-four. New Orleans took advantage, running the clock down and setting up a field goal to go ahead by 17 points. Under the too-little-too-late category, Cousins led a touchdown drive, capped by a wide-open toss to Thielen. The stat line for the Vikings doesn’t tell the story of the entire game, but what it does tell us is that they should have been right there. It should have been the shootout fans dreamed about all week. It should have been a game in which the Vikings proved they could handle the prize fighters of the NFC. Instead it wasn’t even a particularly close game. The frustrating thing about Sunday night’s matchup for Vikings fans isn’t so much that they were robbed of a classic, but that it’s getting harder to believe this version can play a clean game and beat a top team when it matters. Teams like Arizona and New York didn’t take advantages of plays like a strip-sack touchdown or backward-pass fumble. The Saints did. And the Vikings have plenty of teams on their upcoming schedule like Green Bay, Seattle, Chicago and New England who also aren’t likely to let them off the hook. The question now becomes: Is it fixable?

PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 10/29/18

Position-by-position: How do the Vikings match up with the Saints? By Matthew Coller The Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1) are set to match up with the New Orleans Saints (5-1) at US Bank Stadium on Sunday Night Football. Here is how the two teams match up, position by position (all stats via Pro Football Focus and Pro-Football Reference)…. Quarterback Vikings starter: Kirk Cousins While there have been moments that Kirk Cousins would want back — fumbles against Buffalo, his interception against Arizona, backward pass against the Jets — Cousins has lived up to what the Vikings hoped when they signed him to an $84 million deal. He’s top 10 in ESPN’s QBR, 12th by Pro Football Focus passing grades and ninth in quarterback rating. And Cousins has done so while facing an uphill battle with Dalvin Cook out and the O-line struggling at times. He’s faced the fifth highest pressure rate despite also being at the top of the league in quick passes. There are still some areas where the Vikings’ quarterback can improve. They are 23rd on third downs, 19th in the red zone and 26th in percentage of drives in which the Vikings produce points. In order to go toe-to-toe with Brees, Cousins will have to step up in big spots and not finish drives with field goals. Saints starter: Drew Brees It doesn’t get any better than Drew Brees. The future Hall of Fame quarterback is No. 1 by Pro Football Focus, No. 2 by QBR and No. 1 by traditional quarterback rating. The last time the Vikings saw Brees, he was putting together one of the most impressive comebacks in NFL postseason history, leading his team from down 17 to take a late lead in the divisional playoff game. He has weapons all over the place, a fantastic offensive line and an incredibly creative offensive mind in his corner. The Vikings’ defense was lit up by the Los Angeles Rams earlier this year, now they face a test every bit as difficult. Advantage: Saints Running back Vikings starter: Latavius Murray Over the past two weeks, the Vikings have finally put together their run game behind a number of explosive carries from Murray. With Cook out with a hamstring injury, the 2015 Pro Bowl back has stepped up, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. The former Raider is also one of the NFL’s best pass blockers. He’s allowed just three pressures in a league-high 53 pass blocking snaps. Saints starter: Alvin Kamara/Mark Ingram The Saints’ duo of backs has a good case for being the best in the NFL. Kamara already has 40 receptions at 9.1 yards per reception this season and averages 5.5 yards per carry in his 22 NFL games. Ingram is just returning from suspension, so he’s only carried the ball 28 times this season. Over his long career in New Orleans, he’s been one of the most under appreciated backs in the league, consistently gaining around 5.0 yards per carry. Plus he grabbed 50 passes last season. The wild card of the group of Taysom Hill, who lines up at running back, quarterback, receiver and even tight end. He will occasionally run read option plays — and averages 6.9 yards per carry — adding another dangerous wrinkle to the mix.

Advantage: Saints Wide receiver/tight end Vikings starters: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Laquon Treadwell, Kyle Rudolph Adam Thielen is now on the cusp of an NFL record for most 100-yard games in a row — and that’s not just based on a high volume of targets. When targeting Thielen, Kirk Cousins has a 118.7 quarterback rating. Stefon Diggs isn’t far behind at 105.8 — though the Vikings have struggled the last two weeks to get him the ball downfield, mostly relying on short throws. Kyle Rudolph has quietly been a great option for Cousins, catching 28 of 33 passes in his direction. And even Laquon Treadwell has shown improvement after a rough opening two weeks. Saints starters: Michael Thomas, Tedd Ginn, Tre’Quan Smith, Ben Watson It would be tough to win an argument either way over whether Thielen or Michael Thomas was the best receiver in the NFL this year. Brees as a 91 percent completion percentage when targeting Thomas and a 131.9 quarterback rating. The Saints’ physically imposing receiver will match up against a slowed Xavier Rhodes, who is expected to play despite an ankle injury. The rest of Brees’s receivers have stepped up at times, but there hasn’t been one consistent No. 2 option. Watson is laughing at Father Time with 23 catches on 28 targets. Advantage: Slight edge to Vikings Offensive line Vikings starters: Rashod Hill – Danny Isidora – Pat Elflein – Mike Remmers – Brian O’Neill With Riley Reiff unlikely to play and Tom Compton out, the Vikings’ offensive line is in for a helluva test. Rookie Brian O’Neill will have a long day ahead against Cameron Jordan, one of the elite pass rushers in the NFL, and the interior will have to battle to make up for the loss of Compton. One thing that’s going their way is that over the last two weeks the Vikings have significantly cut down on pressures allowed, giving up only nine to the Jets. Elflein’s return has also played a major role in creating explosive runs for Murray. Saints starters: Terron Armstead – Andrus Peat – Max Unger – Larry Warford – Ryan Ramczyk There are few lines that are playing as well as the Saints and that starts with Armstead, who is an elite left tackle when healthy and this year he’s healthy. He’s yet to allow a sack and has given up only seven pressures in 248 pass blocking snaps. Not to mention he’s a tremendous run blocker. Where the Vikings may have an advantage is in the middle, assuming Linval Joseph (questionable) plays against Max Unger. Also the Danielle Hunter vs. Ryan Ramczyk matchup could be a good one. Ramczyk has given up only four pressures this year. Advantage: Saints Defensive line Vikings starters: Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph (?), Sheldon Richardson, Danielle Hunter It’s hard to say how many snaps Everson Griffen will play, but it’s a huge boost to have him back for any number. He is a top-10 player at his position and despite the solid play of Stephen Weatherly, there’s only a handful of players on earth who can impact a game like Griffen. The health status of Joseph will be huge in stopping the Saints’ terrific run attack and Hunter leads the NFL in sacks with eight. Saints starters: Cameron Jordan, Sheldon Rankins, Alex Okafor, David Onyemata Speaking of the few people who can play on Griffen’s level, Jordan is one of them. The Saints’ defense overall has not been effective getting after the quarterback with just 13 sacks this season, but Jordan has

five of them and 25 pressures. One player to watch in the Saints’ rotation up front is first-round pick Marcus Davenport, who is starting to get a feel for the NFL game with two sacks, three QB hits and three hurries in 120 snaps. Advantage: Vikings Linebackers Vikings starters: Eric Kendricks, Eric Wilson, Ben Gedeon Without Anthony Barr in the lineup, the Vikings’ depth at linebacker will be tested. Wilson had a terrific preseason, earning him a rotational spot, but that’s nothing like chasing around Kamara and Ingram. The Vikings haven’t been anywhere near as effective slowing the opposing team’s RBs in the passing game as they were last season. They will need a much better performance than they had against the Rams and Todd Gurley. Saints: Demario Davis, AJ Klein, Manti Te’o Davis has been a solid addition for the Saints, especially in the run game. The Saints are best in the NFL in yards per carry allowed. However, throwing against New Orleans’ linebackers has been plenty successful for opponents. Davis has given up 18 catches on 22 targets and the opposition is 12-for-14 against Klein. Advantage: Even Secondary Vikings starters: Xavier Rhodes (?), Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Harrison Smith, George Iloka Rhodes’ status will determine how strong the Vikings’ secondary will be against the Saints. In the recent past, he has followed Michael Thomas all over the field. If he’s unable to do so because of an ankle injury, that’s a huge win for New Orleans. If Rhodes isn’t effective, they will have to turn to rookie Holton Hill, who’s played just 39 snaps this year and is considered a raw prospect. The Vikings have effectively made up for the loss of Andrew Sendejo so far with veteran George Iloka playing admirably in his place. Saints starters: Marshon Lattimore, Eli Apple, PJ Williams, Kurt Coleman, Marcus Williams Getting Lattimore back should make a big difference for the Saints’ defense, but they are missing corner Ken Crawley and Patrick Robinson is on injured reserve. The Saints traded for Eli Apple, who has to step right into the mix. We will also see how Marcus Williams handles being back at US Bank Stadium, the site of his gaffe that cost the Saints a playoff win. Advantage: Slight edge to Vikings

PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 10/29/18

Rhodes, Reiff out vs. Saints By Matthew Coller The Minnesota Vikings will be without their shutdown corner on Sunday night as they match up with the NFL’s leader in passer rating. Xavier Rhodes is inactive against the New Orleans Saints with an ankle injury he suffered last week against the New York Jets. Rookie Holton Hill gets the start in Rhodes’ place. Riley Reiff, who was listed as doubtful, is also out. That means Brian O’Neill will once again start at right tackle and Rashod Hill will protect Kirk Cousins’ blindside. Linval Joseph is active. He’d been battling multiple injuries which forced him to miss last week’s game. Anthony Barr, Andrew Sendejo, Dalvin Cook, Tom Compton and Kyle Sloter are the other inactives. Everson Griffen is active.

PUBLICATION: 1500 ESPN DATE: 10/29/18

The what-ifs and butterfly effects of the Minneapolis Miracle By Judd Zulgad As the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints get set to play a rematch of the Minneapolis Miracle Game on Sunday Night Football, there will be many looks back at the play and the people involved. Judd Zulgad and Matthew Coller decided to look at how the Vikings ended up in that moment and what it meant for the end of the 2017 season and beyond. So here are Matthew and Judd’s what-ifs and butterfly effects of Stefon Diggs’ 61-yard touchdown to beat the Saints… Matthew’s what-if: Adam Thielen’s no-catch In the midst of a hot streak in which the Vikings won nine games in a row, they traveled to face Carolina in a game that could play a role in determining whether they would have home field advantage throughout the playoffs or if that honor would go to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was hardly the Vikings’ sharpest game. They allowed a 60-yard touchdown before Panthers fans even settled into their seats. But the Vikings hung around and had the ball at the Carolina 4-yard line down 14-10 with 0:16 remaining in the first half. Quarterback Case Keenum flipped a pass into the back of the endzone for Adam Thielen, who slightly bobbled the ball on the way to the ground. It was ruled a touchdown, then immediately overturned to the outrage of Vikings fans and head coach Mike Zimmer. According to the league’s 2018 standards for a catch, Thielen’s grab would have had a touchdown. It’s impossible to say exactly how the game would have turned out with a touchdown rather than field goal, but the Vikings rarely gave up leads with the No. 1 defense. You have to wonder: If Thielen’s catch ended up as a touchdown, would the Vikings have beaten Carolina, gone 14-2 with easy wins over the likes of Green Bay, Cincinnati and Chicago and won the NFC. They would have played Atlanta — a team they beat on the road — at home and then seen the Eagles, Saints, Panthers or Rams at US Bank Stadium rather than going on the road. The Vikings defense was a different kind of monster at home last season, in large part because of how the crowd helps along their pass rush. Would Zimmer’s defense have slowed down those teams with the home field advantage? Or would they have ended up matching up with the Saints in the NFC title game and having Brees repeat his second half performance and leading New Orleans to victory? We’ll never know. Thanks, old catch rule. Matthew’s butterfly effect: The emotions, the offseason Players and coaches alike did not want to make excuses for their 38-7 loss to the Eagles, but it was impossible to ignore the emotional outburst and subsequent wild week leading up to the NFC Championship game. If the Vikings hadn’t allowed Brees’s comeback and simply stopped him on fourth down on the Saints’ final drive to win the game, maybe the Vikings would have put on a better show against the Eagles. As memorable as the play was, it’s effect may have been that the team couldn’t put the same type of energy into the NFC title game as they would have otherwise. In the same vain, the emotions of the loss to Philly may have impacted how the Vikings approached the offseason. Zimmer assuredly went in search of solutions to the ways Philadelphia beat his top-ranked defense for 38 points — and may have over-adjusted, if you believe Anthony Barr’s comments recently about needing to “simplify.” And the Vikings would certainly argue their decision to draft Mike Hughes had much more to with him being a great prospect (which he is) than stocking up their defense to respond to upcoming opponents’ attempt to recreate the Philly experience, but it’s hard not to wonder if they passed on a guard in the first

round in favor of a defensive player because of the NFC Championship results. Same goes for signing Sheldon Richardson, which has turned out to be a terrific move. Judd’s what-if: Sam Bradford’s injury Case Keenum started the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints last January, but it was Sam Bradford who gave the Saints defense real problems. That came in the Week 1 meeting between the Vikings and Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium, four months before they met for the right to go to the NFC title game and Keenum and Stefon Diggs authored “The Minneapolis Miracle.” Bradford, beginning his second season with the Vikings, didn’t just match Drew Brees in that Monday night game, he outplayed the future Hall of Famer. Bradford completed 27 of 32 passes for 346 yards with three touchdowns and had a 143 passer rating in a 29-19 victory; Brees finished 27 of 37 passes for 291 yards with a touchdown and 104.7 rating. Bradford showed up with a balky knee at Winter Park the day after that victory and his season was finished. Keenum stepped in for magical ride that didn’t come to a crashing thud until the NFC championship game in Philadelphia. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer always seemed to know Keenum’s success was fool’s gold, a feeling did not exist with Bradford. And if Bradford had remained healthy – remember how good he looked that night against the Saints, far from the broken-down guy who has been benched by Arizona – the defensive-first Vikings could have made a similar run behind Bradford and the brilliant play calling of Pat Shumur. The far-more conservative Bradford also would have played a better game in Philadelphia than Keenum, although the Vikings’ defensive meltdown likely would have meant defeat remained inevitable. Here’s where it gets interesting. A healthy Bradford would have meant the Vikings would never have pursued Kirk Cousins, that Keenum would have either returned as a backup or gone elsewhere and that Bradford would have headed into 2018 as the Vikings’ starter. Zimmer certainly seemed to have more faith in Bradford than he did in Keenum but the results of this decision could have been devastating. Fast forward to today and how Bradford looks completely broken down. At some point that was coming and if it hadn’t been in 2017 it would have been in 2018. That means that Keenum or another backup likely would be starting today against the Saints instead of Cousins, who has flaws but is putting together a very strong statistical campaign. It’s likely the Vikings would have decided handing the starting job back to Teddy Bridgewater would have been too risky. Bradford’s knee essentially ending his season when it did in 2017, gave the Vikings time to come up with a far better plan for 2018. Otherwise, today’s stories heading might be focused on the continued uncertainty the Vikings’ franchise has long dealt with at the most important position in sports. Judd’s butterfly effect: The near Saints comeback The Vikings’ victory over the New Orleans Saints in an NFC Divisional Round playoff game last January at U.S. Bank Stadium always will be known for the play that ended it. Case Keenum’s 61-yard pass to Stefon Diggs on the final play quickly was dubbed “The Minneapolis Miracle.” But the magical finish of that game scrubbed away the memory that the Vikings held a 17-0 lead at halftime and appeared well on their way to advancing to the NFC title game without so much as a hiccup.

Before Saints quarterback Drew Brees began picking apart the Vikings’ defense in the second half, he looked like just another flustered quarterback going against Mike Zimmer’s defense. Brees ended the opening 30 minutes having completed only 8-of-18 passes for 117 yards with two interceptions and a 26.6 passer rating. If the Vikings hadn’t started to come apart in the second half, if they hadn’t needed a finish that thrilled Vikings fans but drained the team, if their defense had continued to limit Brees, there is a case to be made that the result in Philadelphia the following week would have been far different. Saints coach Sean Payton and Brees clearly exploited weaknesses in one of the NFL’s best defense that Eagles coach Doug Pederson pounced on and used to his advantage in a shockingly easy 38-7 victory over the Vikings the following week. If the Saints did not provide that blueprint, do the Vikings return to U.S Bank Stadium to play New England in the Super Bowl? Are the Vikings finally in possession of their first Lombardi Trophy? It certainly seems plausible that Mike Zimmer and his team could have been fitted with rings by now.

PUBLICATION: The Athletic DATE: 10/29/18

Vikings sink under a double dip of critical mistakes in rematch with Saints By Chad Graff The Vikings call it double-dipping. It’s a practice they’ve preached since organized team activities turned into mandatory minicamp. If all goes according to plan and they win the coin toss, they want to score at the end of the first half, then get the ball back and open the second half with points, too. A double dip. So, as Sunday’s first half neared completion and the Vikings drove against a Saints defense that had yielded touchdowns on the first two drives led by Kirk Cousins, all appeared to be going as planned. In front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football at the venue that hosted the last Super Bowl, the Vikings were about to send a message to the rest of the NFL that — Bills game be damned — this team is a Super Bowl contender. They were about to take a two-possession lead on the New Orleans Saints, about to get the ball back after that with a chance to inflate their cushion even more at the start of the third quarter. And then the game flipped at the hands of the unlikeliest of culprits, the beginning of an unraveling that finally mercifully ended as a 30-20 Saints win, which left the Vikings with only four wins in eight games. Adam Thielen fumbled for the first time since Week 6 of last year, the Saints scored two plays later and they never trailed after that. New Orleans Saints

✔

@Saints Williams and Anzalone force Thielen to fumble and Lattimore returns it for a huge gain! #NOvsMIN 8:39 PM - Oct 28, 2018 725 355 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy “Obviously I’m going to think about that one for a while,” Thielen said. “Definitely disappointed in myself.” The Vikings entered Sunday night with wins in three games thanks to mostly clean football. They didn’t make costly mistakes and they didn’t shoot themselves in the foot. On Sunday, Thielen’s fumble was hardly the first or last mistake. The Vikings missed a point after attempt, added 15 yards to the Saints’ return on Thielen’s fumble thanks to a Laquon Treadwell penalty, threw a pick-6 after Stefon Diggs stopped running his route, then spent five minutes on a slow drive in the fourth quarter where they kept huddling despite their 17-point deficit. On the coaching side, the Vikings played conservative at the end of the first half, letting time expire rather take a shot at getting to field-goal range with two timeouts and 30 seconds remaining, then turned to Treadwell on aa 4th-and-1 on the first drive of the second half even though he was covered by the Saints’ top corner Marshon Lattimore and even though Thielen appeared to be open. View image on Twitter View image on Twitter Chad Graff

✔

@ChadGraff On that 4th and 1 the Vikings failed to convert on a pass to Treadwell, both Thielen (matched up against a linebacker) and Robinson are open. 12:30 AM - Oct 29, 2018 14 See Chad Graff's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy “This is still a good football team,” coach Mike Zimmer said from the postgame news conference room, “even if in here it seems like a morgue.” Perhaps most damning was that the two most crucial mistakes came from two of the Vikings’ most reliable players — Thielen and Diggs. After the Vikings’ defense held the Saints to a field goal on the ensuing drive after the 4th-and-1 mishap, the following possession ended with a pick-6 that put the Saints up by 14. Cousins was pressured, a common theme for the night, and when Diggs saw Cousins under duress, he decided to cut his route short and try to provide an option underneath for Cousins even though he’s coached to continue running his route in that situation. “I was trying to give him a relief throw,” Diggs said. But Cousins didn’t see the route cut short. He threw to where Diggs was supposed to be. Instead, only PJ Williams, the corner the Vikings often picked on in the first half, was there and made the easy interception, returning it 45 yards for a touchdown. SNF on NBC

✔

@SNFonNBC The New Orleans defense is SWARMING to the ball in this game. #NOvsMIN 9:22 PM - Oct 28, 2018 1,342 409 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy “(Cousins) did everything right,” Diggs said. “It was all on me.” The pain of this defeat didn’t come from being outplayed. The Vikings had more passing yards. They had more first downs. Cousins threw for 359 yards. Brees threw for 120. Told that before the game, Zimmer would’ve taken it every time. Instead, the pain came from the Vikings’ two mistakes that cost them a chance to beat the Saints for a third time in 14 months. “One-hundred percent we beat ourselves,” said Thielen, who did manage to extend his streak of 100-yard receiving games to start the season to eight. Even if his and Diggs’ gaffes were most prominent, they weren’t alone. Particularly peculiar was clock management. Scarred by the sight of Thielen fumbling only minutes earlier, Zimmer instructed his team to let the clock drain at the end of the first half even though he had two timeouts and two of the best wide receivers on the planet. A couple of long passes could’ve given Dan Bailey a shot at a long field goal. It certainly wasn’t likely. But it also seemed too good an opportunity to simply pass up.

“That’s a problem?” Zimmer asked rhetorically. “That I didn’t try and score with 30 seconds left and the ball is backed up?” He retreated to the locker room and told his team that he’d be more aggressive in the second half. He told the offense to be ready to go for it on fourth and short. And six plays into the half, he stayed true to his word, keeping his offense on the field on 4th-and-1 from Minnesota’s 45. At question isn’t so much the decision. Analytics have showed that it’s actually often prudent for teams to go for it in such situations. What was strange, though, was the play call. Rather than turning to either of their elite receivers, Cousins threw 13 yards downfield to Treadwell who was covered by Lattimore. Thielen, meanwhile, was matched up on a linebacker and broke free just past the first-down marker. Aldrick Robinson, too, was open a few yards beyond the line. But the ball went to Treadwell, and Lattimore broke up the pass. “We have a good football team and in the critical situations we can’t make errors — and we did,” Diggs said. “It’s on us.” In the fourth quarter, after the Saints ate up more than eight minutes of the clock and kicked a 42-yard field goal to take a 17-point lead, Cousins and Co. got the ball back with 9 minutes, 35 seconds remaining and the need for quick points. They marched from their own 25 to New Orleans’ 6-yard line in less than four minutes. But in a strange move, they seemed relaxed as the clock continued to tick and they took four downs before finding Thielen in the end zone. They passed short to Treadwell to prompt third and goal from the 1-yard line. Then they huddled, draining more clock, only to call a quarterback sneak which didn’t work. “I think you are 100 percent totally wrong,” Zimmer said about whether he’s worried about the team’s clock management. Maybe that wasn’t the reason the Vikings lost on Sunday. They were down 17 by that point, after all, thanks to a strange sequence where their player with the surest hands fumbled and what might have been a two-possession lead suddenly turned into a first-half deficit. “You can’t make critical errors in critical situations,” Thielen said. “We talk a lot about trying to double dip. Score at the end of the half and then get the ball back and score again. Obviously we didn’t do a good job of that.”

PUBLICATION: The Athletic DATE: 10/29/18

Everson Griffen takes the next step on his long road back with Vikings By Jon Krawczynski The Vikings’ sprawling new practice facility in Eagan is a labyrinth of meeting rooms and lounges, treatment areas and studios that seemingly stretch forever over a 200-acre site. It can be easy to get lost going from one floor to the next, and there seem to be plenty of nooks and crannies in which to hide if one needs a moment of peace and quiet. Yet all the back hallways and meditation rooms in the world weren’t enough for Everson Griffen in his first week back with the team after a month-long absence to address significant mental health concerns. There were so many well-wishers just happy to see one of the leaders of the defense back with the team. So many who wanted to offer support and love, to give a handshake or a hug, to check on his well-being. There were so many others who were looking to help him get back into the mix, who needed him to fill out this form or get fitted for that piece of equipment, the necessary maintenance every player has to go through over the course of a season. Griffen’s absence meant he had some catching up to do. “One thing at a time,” he would tell those who approached him, trying to slow the deluge and avoid being overwhelmed. “Just one thing at a time.” It is the approach he feels is imperative as he tries to get some sense of normalcy back in a life turned upside down by a chaotic and frightening weekend in September that rocked a close-knit team and resulted in Griffen being voluntarily hospitalized for treatment. It is also why he was one of many disappointed by a 30-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night, but was still able to walk out of the locker room buoyed by the simple act of stepping on to the field again. “It was a disappointing loss. We have to get back to the drawing board,” Griffen said. “But it felt amazing to be out there.” Griffen was credited with just one tackle in the game, but it was a major step for him on a long road back that has him appreciating the little things much more than he had before. He spoke about the energy he got just from sitting in his hotel room going over tape on Sunday morning, of walking into the locker room and saying hello to assistant equipment manager Aaron Neumann, of pulling on that purple jersey again. “I’m just happy to be back here with my teammates,” Griffen said. “That’s my No. 1 goal, to get back with my teammates and back where I belong. It feels good.” He had two costly penalties and wasn’t close to the disruptive force who had 13 sacks last season and had solidified himself as a locker-room leader, the guy with a million-watt smile and the gift of gab that brought belly laughs from anyone who listened. He is not that player … yet. But this week marked an enormous step back to that guy. And there certainly were signs of the old Everson at U.S. Bank Stadium. During pregame warmups, Griffen led the defensive line out onto the field, and the home crowd gave an enormous ovation when he was shown on the big screen. He addressed the defensive line group with an impassioned message, a moment so important that the Vikings tweeted out the video even though some parents would have to get the ear muffs out for the younger viewers.

Minnesota Vikings

✔

@Vikings We've got to bring everything we've got.#Skol 7:08 PM - Oct 28, 2018 2,418 542 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy “It’s definitely something we missed. His pregame speeches just get you charged up,” said defensive end Stephen Weatherly, who has started in Griffen’s place over the last five weeks. “You definitely feel the electricity. He definitely loves the game and that energy just spreads the same way when Kirk (Cousins) gives his pregame speech to the whole team. It just gets everyone going.” As the team trotted out to stretch as a group during warmups, Griffen was on the captain line with the rest of the team’s leaders. Owner Zygi Wilf walked out on to the field from the sideline to give Griffen a big hug and handshake, giving him a few words of encouragement before heading back to the sideline. Griffen was the only player Wilf personally sought out during the stretching portion of pregame. Minnesota Vikings

✔

@Vikings � Good to have you back, @EversonGriffen! 7:06 PM - Oct 28, 2018 3,948 413 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy The nervous energy was flowing through his body, evidenced as he shook his arms as he went through warmups. He barked, he hollered, he danced and gyrated. Just like the old Everson. Unfortunately and understandably, he most closely resembled his Pro Bowl self before the game started. He entered for the first time on third down of the first series, but played regularly throughout the rest of the game. Coach Mike Zimmer said Griffen’s snaps were limited as the team tries to ease him back in, but he spent plenty of time on the field during the game at both defensive end spots. Saints left tackle Terron Armstead held Griffen in check for the most part. Drew Brees had a quiet game by his lofty standards, throwing for just 120 yards with one touchdown and one interception. But the Saints were able to capitalize on some costly Vikings mistakes to come away with an important victory in the NFC playoff race. Griffen chalked most of his evening up to the long layoff and vowed to return to his game-wrecking ways before too long. “I was a little rusty. That doesn’t matter,” Griffen said. “The biggest thing right now is just get to back, get back to form and help my team win. We did a lot of good things tonight. We’ve just got to take care of the ball. I had penalties myself.” When Griffen returned to the team on Wednesday, Zimmer did his best to downplay the entire situation.

“I bet you there is people in this room that have had to deal with these kind of issues as well,” Zimmer said on Wednesday to a press conference room filled with reporters. “Everybody in life has probably had to deal with some kind of these different types of issues that go on and aren’t necessarily hamstrings. I know people that have dealt with in the past. “I know people, the doctors, the medical experts, they all help with these situations. I don’t think this is as unique as what we are making it out to be. This is an illness and he’s done a good job of helping to get better and continues to try to get better. He’s probably going to have to continue to do that. Just like we all have to do in life. We all have to try to improve and work on the things we’re working on and getting better at.” In so many ways, it was such a refreshing approach. Yes, Griffen’s issues and actions in September were frightening and concerning. But the Vikings have done everything they can to support him rather than shun him, to offer assistance and guidance rather than stigmatize him. They know his issues could resurface, but they are determined to try to instill an environment around him that tries to mitigate those concerns as much as possible. His teammates also know they aren’t going to get the old Everson back right away. That this is going to take time. But in a locker room rendered quiet by the events that unfolded on the field, the only solace they took was in seeing No. 97 back out there with them. After home losses to the Saints and Bills, a road loss to the Rams and that tie in Green Bay, it’s still not exactly clear exactly where the Vikings fit in the NFC hierarchy. It would be hard to count them among the conference’s elite right now, but a clear-headed Griffen could play a big role in the team getting there. “It was awesome,” safety Harrison Smith said. “That’s our guy. We have to continue getting him back in the fold and getting back out there.” Griffen set the bar low for his first game back. Just being out there was important enough. “It was (about) getting my focus back, the little nuances of the game, my pass rush angle, just the details of my game back. I was rusty,” he said, a smile creasing his face. “But I don’t like that so I’m going to go and attack it next week.” As the cameras and recorders receded from his locker, Griffen packed his bag up, pulled on a red t-shirt with a tiger on the back and the word “Fighters” in white underneath it. He donned a light blue MPLS Lakers cap and slipped on a jean jacket as he shared a laugh with Sheldon Richardson and Linval Joseph. Everson Griffen isn’t all the way back yet. But he is back on the field chasing quarterbacks, back in the locker room laughing with teammates. That would have to be enough for now. One thing at a time. Just one thing at a time.

PUBLICATION: ESPN DATE: 10/29/18

Costly mistake creates snowball effect in Vikings loss to Saints By Courtney Cronin MINNEAPOLIS -- Adam Thielen was in the process of stringing together another near-flawless performance eight games into his sixth season with the Minnesota Vikings. And with just more than a minute to play until halftime of a 30-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints, everything started to come undone. The Vikings were riding high throughout the first half of their rematch of January's NFC divisional playoffs, with quarterback Kirk Cousins carving up the Saints' secondary and utilizing his top two weapons, Thielen and Stefon Diggs, to do so. After crossing into the red zone late in the first half, leading New Orleans by three, Cousins had Thielen in the slot and saw the Saints giving the Pro Bowl receiver a 10-yard cushion. It was a matchup he knew Thielen could win. Kirk Cousins and the Vikings found themselves looking for answers after Sunday night's loss to the Saints. Bruce Kluckhohn/AP Thielen was wide open to receive a screen pass from Cousins and had the end zone in sight. Upon being hit by two Saints defenders at the 14-yard line, Thielen coughed up the ball -- his first lost fumble of the season and the Vikings' seventh, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore recovered Thielen’s fumble and ran the ball 54 yards in the other direction. Thielen's costly mistake delivered a huge blow, but it didn't have to be the dagger. On Lattimore's return, Minnesota receiver Laquon Treadwell was hit with unsportsmanlike conduct, which moved the ball from the Vikings' 33-yard line to the 18. Two plays later, New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara was in for a touchdown. Suddenly the momentum had shifted in New Orleans' favor. All it took was a few swing plays for the Saints to capitalize and the Vikings to question several decisions along the way. The Vikings beat themselves on "Sunday Night Football," and it started with the mistake they made when they were 14 yards away from scoring before halftime. Minnesota would get a shot at redemption after the Saints' touchdown. With 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter and two timeouts left (the Vikings lost their third timeout four plays into the game when Mike Zimmer lost a challenge), Minnesota ran one play -- a 7-yard rush by Mike Boone -- and decided to play things conservatively instead of take one last shot at scoring. At the time, Cousins was 5-of-5 for 75 yards when targeting Thielen and 4-of-4 for 54 yards and a TD when targeting Diggs. Instead, the Vikings went into halftime trailing by four. Coming out of the half, the Vikings still appeared shaken by how the second quarter ended. On Minnesota's first drive in the third quarter, Cousins was nearly picked off by Saints linebacker Manti Te'o and failed to complete a pass to Treadwell on fourth-and-1. Cousins then threw an interception on the second drive of the third quarter, which was returned 45 yards for a touchdown by none other than P.J. Williams, the cornerback Cousins picked apart in the first half. Thielen's late chance at redemption, a 1-yard touchdown, couldn't get the Vikings close enough to make a serious play at a win. The receiver became the first player to go over 100 yards receiving in each of his

team's first eight games and tied Calvin Johnson in 2012 for the most consecutive 100-yard receiving games with eight. Costly mistakes created a snowball effect for Minnesota, and in the end, it was too much to overcome. Not even a miracle could have saved the Vikings from their own demise in Week 8.

PUBLICATION: ESPN DATE: 10/29/18

Saints get revenge for 'miracle' in 30-20 win over Vikings By AP MINNEAPOLIS -- Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints paid Minnesota back for their last-second loss in the playoffs last season, using two key turnovers, including a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by P.J. Williams, to fuel a 30-20 victory over the Vikings on Sunday night. Alvin Kamara scored twice, Wil Lutz made three field goals and Sheldon Rankins had two of the four sacks by the Saints (6-1), who needed only 120 passing yards by Brees to beat the Vikings (4-3-1) this time with far less tension down the final stretch and stay undefeated in four road games this year. "This one had a little extra special meaning," Brees said, flashing a slight smile after he went 18 for 23 to maintain his league-leading 77.4 completion percentage. Stefon Diggs had 119 receiving yards and a score in his curtain call after the "Minneapolis Miracle" catch in the NFC divisional round here in January, but he stopped his drag route in a miscommunication with quarterback Kirk Cousins right before Williams picked the ball off for the pivotal third-quarter touchdown. Adam Thielen had another record-setting performance for the Vikings with 103 yards and a score, but he lost a fumble that was returned 54 yards by Marshon Lattimore to set up the go-ahead touchdown for the Saints. "We're a really good football team, but you can't make mistakes in this league and win, especially on critical situations when you have the ball in the red zone," Thielen said. "Obviously I'm going to think about that one for a while, and I'm definitely disappointed in myself." The Vikings had the edge on both sides of the ball during the first half. Harrison Smith handed Brees his first interception of the season after 231 attempts without one, putting the Vikings in position to stretch a 13-10 lead. Late in the second quarter, Thielen drove forward for extra yards after a short completion and had the ball pried loose by Williams and Alex Anzalone at the 14. Lattimore scooped it up and raced the other way, before Laquon Treadwell took him down. Treadwell then slammed his helmet on the turf in frustration, drawing a devastating 15-yard penalty to give the Saints the ball at the 18 with 57 seconds remaining before halftime. Kamara soared into the end zone two plays later. "I was giving up a few plays," Williams said, "but a turnover always turns the game around." The Vikings started the second half with the ball and went for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 45. With an empty backfield, Cousins had Treadwell open over the middle, but Lattimore broke up the pass to change possession and set up Lutz's second field goal. "I told the team I was going to be aggressive," coach Mike Zimmer said. "Every fourth down that was close, we were going to go for it." SIZZLING START The first evening kickoff of the season at U.S. Bank Stadium created an extra-energetic atmosphere, and the pregame hype video montage with replays of the last-snap catch and run by Diggs for the winning touchdown in the playoffs against the Saints only enhanced it.

Defensive end Everson Griffen, returning from a five-game absence for mental health treatment, led the sprint out of the replica Vikings ship for introductions. Diggs was saved for last. Then the action came fast and furious. Kamara capped the opening touchdown drive by catching a forward flip on a jet sweep play with both backup quarterbacks, Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill, lined up as wide receivers. Hill had taken a turn at quarterback earlier and threw a 44-yard pass to Michael Thomas, his second highlight-reel reception during that drive. Thielen climbed over the neck of Williams for a tricky third-down catch on the ensuing possession for the Vikings, who kept on attacking the third-year nickel cornerback. Diggs beat him with a back-shoulder grab at the goal line and again four plays later on a toe-tap touchdown at the edge of the end zone on fourth down. Williams had a pass interference penalty on the next drive for the Vikings. That set up a short scoring run by Latavius Murray, who tossed the ball back to Cousins earlier on that possession for a 28-yard flea-flicker throw to Thielen. THIELEN IT Thielen tied Calvin Johnson's all-time NFL record of eight straight 100-yard receiving games, set in 2012 with Detroit. He also matched Patrick Jeffers with a fifth consecutive game with 100-plus yards and at least one touchdown, a mark set in 1999 for Carolina. INJURY REPORT Saints: CB Eli Apple, acquired this week in a trade with the New York Giants, made his debut at CB. He started in place of Ken Crawley, who was on the inactive list but not on the injury report this week. Vikings: CB Xavier Rhodes (foot) was one of six starters held out with injuries, giving rookie Holton Hill his first start. LB Anthony Barr (hamstring), SS Andrew Sendejo (groin), LG Tom Compton (knee), LT Riley Reiff (foot) and RB Dalvin Cook (hamstring) were the others. ... Backup RB Roc Thomas left with a hamstring injury. UP NEXT Saints: Return home to host the Los Angeles Rams (8-0) next Sunday. Vikings: Stay home to face the Detroit Lions (3-4) next Sunday.

PUBLICATION: CBS Sports DATE: 10/29/18

Saints vs. Vikings final score, takeaways: Turnovers doom Minnesota while Drew Brees has quiet game By Ryan Wilson Turns out, there is no curse. Just a confluence of craziness conspired to upend the Saints' Super Bowl hopes a season ago. Case Keenum made an unbelievable throw, Stefon Diggs made a miraculous catch, and Marcus Williams inexplicably forgot to tackle him. That play, which proved to be the game-winning touchdown in last January's NFC Divisional playoff game, had no bearing on what transpired on Sunday night. When it was over, the Saints cruised to a 30-20 win to move to 6-1 on the season and make the case that they're just behind the Rams as the best team in the conference. Death by 1,000 dump-offs That was the Saints' game plan all evening -- Drew Brees taking exactly what the defense gave him. Save a lone mistake (more on that below), he was content to dink and dunk his way down the field. Of course, we crush guys like Alex Smith for his Captain Checkdown antics, but the difference is that Brees can beat you in ways you haven't even thought up yet. But on Sunday night, the Vikings secondary, without starters Xavier Rhodes and Andrew Sendejo, weren't going to let Brees beat them deep. And he didn't. Instead, he beat them with one short pass after the next. He finished 18 of 23 for just 120 yards, good for 5.2 yards per attempt. In fact, the longest pass play of the evening came courtesy of Taysom Hill, who connected with Mike Thomas on this 44-yard pass play: NFL

✔

@NFL

.@T_Hill4 goes DEEP to @CantGuardMike! 😳 #NOvsMIN #GoSaints

📺: NBC

7:32 PM - Oct 28, 2018 996 289 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy The lesson: Good luck trying to slow the Saints' offense. The Vikings did pressure Brees a few times, but coach Mike Zimmer knew better than to press his luck, especially with a depleted secondary, and the results were the same -- a New Orleans win, even if the team took a different path to get there. Drew Brees finally threw his first interception There aren't enough superlatives to describe Brees, even if he didn't have a Brees-ian night. The 39-year-old remains one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, and the most recent evidence is the first six games of the 2018 season. Brees, in his 18th season, is completing a career-best 77 percent of his throws and until Sunday evening had exactly zero turnovers. No picks, no fumbles, just touchdowns. But the Vikings' defense, which came into the came 19th against the pass after ranking fourth in that category a season ago, got after Brees on the fourth drive of the game and forced the quarterback into a rare mistake. But instead of how these things usually end -- with an incompletion at worst, Brees threw

high over the middle, airmailing intended receiver Michael Thomas. Safety Harrison Smith made a great play on the ball for his third pick of the season. NFL

✔

@NFL PICKED.@HarriSmith22 intercepts Drew Brees over the middle! #NOvsMIN #SKOL

📺: NBC

8:30 PM - Oct 28, 2018 632 199 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy In case you're wondering, that was Brees' 232nd pass attempt of the season. And his last interception? Well, that came in January ... against the Vikings in the NFC Divisional playoffs. P.J. Williams' night improves immeasurably after rough start The Saints' pass defense came into Sunday night ranked 30th, better than only the Raiders and Buccaneers. Williams, a 2015 third-round pick, ranked 106 out of 112 cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, and through the first quarter he looked even worse. But his fortune changed with just over a minute to go in the second quarter. With the Vikings leading 13-10 and poised to score again just before the half, Williams forced an Adam Thielen fumble that was recovered by Marshon Lattimore and returned to the 33-yard line. NFL

✔

@NFL .@Saints defense comes up with a turnover of their own!@shonrp2 returns the fumble inside Vikings territory. #NOvsMIN #GoSaints

📺: NBC

8:39 PM - Oct 28, 2018 499 146 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy A play later, the Saints scored to make it 17-13 at the break. Then, in the third quarter, Stefon Diggs inexplicably quit running in the middle of his route. Williams did not, and he was rewarded with the easiest interception of his career. The reward didn't stop there, but instead 45 yards later in the end zone. NFL

✔

@NFL

🚨🚨 PICK-6! 🚨🚨@PJWilliams_26 takes the Cousins pass to the HOUSE. #NOvsMIN #GoSaints

📺: NBC

9:20 PM - Oct 28, 2018 1,030 398 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy Thielen jumpstarted the turnaround Unfortunately, that turnaround belonged to the Saints. It began with the aforementioned fumble near the end of the first half. Two plays later, New Orleans leads, 17-13. The Vikings got the ball to start the third quarter and fourth-and-1 from their own 45-yard line, the play call involves a pass to Laquon Treadwell. Predictably, the ball fell incomplete. Nine plays later, the Saints kick a field goal to make it, 20-13. Then, five plays after that, the other aforementioned gaffe -- Couins' Jameis-like pick-six that made it 27-13. (We have to say: Unlike the four picks Winston threw Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati, the pick-six wasn't Cousins' fault. Diggs stopped, Williams didn't, and 45 yards later the Saints had a 14-point lead.) On the next drive, Cousins faced third-and-4 from midfield and Sheldon Rankins ate Cousins whole. New Orleans Saints

✔

@Saints Sheldon Rankins records his second sack of the night! #NOvsMIN 9:30 PM - Oct 28, 2018 735 265 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy The Vikings finally got into the end zone on their fourth drive of the half but by then it was too late. The Saints, now leading, 30-20, recovered the onside kick and left the Vikings no time to mount a comeback. Silver lining: Thielen joins Megatron Michael Thomas is almost always the best receiver on any field he steps on. On Sunday he was No. 2, at least in terms of advanced stats. In terms of total value, Football Outsiders ranks Thomas just behind Adam Thielen, who despite that ill-timed fumble continued to put up eye-popping numbers. He surpassed 100 receiving yards for the eighth straight game, which puts him in some very special company. View image on Twitter View image on Twitter SNF on NBC

✔

@SNFonNBC

🎶 ooooooh sometiiiimes, I get a good Thielen 🎶

9:53 PM - Oct 28, 2018 1,126 188 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy What if the Jaguars had landed Cousins? This is probably something you don't want to think about if you're either Mike Zimmer or Doug Marrone. The Vikings were happy -- and, it turns out, wise -- to let Case Keenum walk after his Hall of Fame season with the team in 2017. There was no way he was duplicating that again, and the $18 million-a-year price tag was too rich for what he could realistically be expected to do as an encore.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, decided to give Blake Bortles a three-year, $54 million in January and for good reason: He played some of the best football of his career in the AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots. A loss, by the way, that had everything to do with the Jags' defense not playing well down the stretch while Bortles was balling out. Of course, Bortles has regressed this season, to the point that he was benched for Cody Kessler last week only to be reinstated ahead of Sunday's game in London against the Eagles. He finished 24 of 41 with a touchdown and no interceptions in the loss, but it's pretty easy to imagine that the Jaguars -- who are having all sorts of issues with their defense too -- would be much better than their 3-5 record if they had been willing to pay Cousins what he was worth to come to Jacksonville in the offseason. If you're wondering why we're even talking about this in the context of "Sunday Night Football," it's because CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported earlier Sunday that the Jaguars were interested in Cousins but balked at his price tag. But that's not the only quarterback who was available before the season: The Jaguars made no attempts to upgrade around Bortles prior to the start of the season despite having numerous opportunities to do so via trades and signings. The Jets, league sources said, reached out to Jacksonville when they began to shop promising backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, making the QB readily available. But the Jaguars displayed no interest in acquiring him. Bridgewater was viewed as an emerging potential franchise quarterback prior to suffering a serious knee injury in Minnesota and was dealt to New Orleans for essentially a third-round pick. Cousins signed a three-year, all-guaranteed $84 million deal with the Vikings, but the Saints got Bridgewater and a sixth-rounder for a third-rounder. Certainly, the Jags could've afforded that. Good news: Bridgewater will be a free agent after the season and Jacksonville can make another run at him. Sadly, Cousins is in Minnesota through 2020. Next up The Saints (6-1) host the Rams (8-0) in the biggest game of Week 9. New Orleans has a chance to make their case for a much-needed first-round playoff bye while Los Angeles continues to steamroll their way through their schedule. Does that stop next Sunday? The Vikings (4-3-1) remain atop the NFC North and host the Lions next week. After a Week 10 bye, they'll return for two other division games -- at Chicago and the Packers -- before traveling to face the Patriots and then the Seahawks. Put another way: A month from now, Minnesota could be proving themselves as one of the NFC's best teams ... or their season could effectively be over.

PUBLICATION: NFL.com DATE: 10/29/18

Adam Thielen records eighth straight 100-yard game By Jeremy Bergman Adam Thielen's all-time great season continued on Sunday evening. The Minnesota Vikings receiver recorded his eighth straight 100-yard receiving game in their 30-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints. In doing so, Thielen tied former Detroit Lions great Calvin Johnson for most consecutive games with 100 yards receiving; Johnson accomplished it in 2012. Thielen is now the only player in NFL history to start a season with eight straight 100-yard receiving games. Thielen finished with a near-season-low 103 yards on seven catches and a late touchdown. He leads the league in receiving with 925 yards. Thielen is on pace for 1,850 receiving yards, which would be third all-time.

PUBLICATION: USA Today DATE: 10/29/18

Saints get revenge for 'miracle' in 30-20 win over Vikings By AP MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints paid Minnesota back for their last-second loss in the playoffs last season, using two key turnovers, including a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by P.J. Williams, to fuel a 30-20 victory over the Vikings on Sunday night. Alvin Kamara scored twice, Wil Lutz made three field goals and Sheldon Rankins had two of the four sacks by the Saints (6-1), who needed only 120 passing yards by Brees to beat the Vikings (4-3-1) this time with far less tension down the final stretch and stay undefeated in four road games this year. "This one had a little extra special meaning," Brees said, flashing a slight smile after he went 18 for 23 to maintain his league-leading 77.4 completion percentage. Stefon Diggs had 119 receiving yards and a score in his curtain call after the "Minneapolis Miracle" catch in the NFC divisional round here in January, but he stopped his drag route in a miscommunication with quarterback Kirk Cousins right before Williams picked the ball off for the pivotal third-quarter touchdown. Adam Thielen had another record-setting performance for the Vikings with 103 yards and a score, but he lost a fumble that was returned 54 yards by Marshon Lattimore to set up the go-ahead touchdown for the Saints. "We're a really good football team, but you can't make mistakes in this league and win, especially on critical situations when you have the ball in the red zone," Thielen said. "Obviously I'm going to think about that one for a while, and I'm definitely disappointed in myself." The Vikings had the edge on both sides of the ball during the first half. Harrison Smith handed Brees his first interception of the season after 231 attempts without one, putting the Vikings in position to stretch a 13-10 lead. Late in the second quarter, Thielen drove forward for extra yards after a short completion and had the ball pried loose by Williams and Alex Anzalone at the 14. Lattimore scooped it up and raced the other way, before Laquon Treadwell took him down. Treadwell then slammed his helmet on the turf in frustration, drawing a devastating 15-yard penalty to give the Saints the ball at the 18 with 57 seconds remaining before halftime. Kamara soared into the end zone two plays later. "I was giving up a few plays," Williams said, "but a turnover always turns the game around." The Vikings started the second half with the ball and went for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 45. With an empty backfield, Cousins had Treadwell open over the middle, but Lattimore broke up the pass to change possession and set up Lutz's second field goal. "I told the team I was going to be aggressive," coach Mike Zimmer said. "Every fourth down that was close, we were going to go for it." SIZZLING START The first evening kickoff of the season at U.S. Bank Stadium created an extra-energetic atmosphere, and the pregame hype video montage with replays of the last-snap catch and run by Diggs for the winning touchdown in the playoffs against the Saints only enhanced it.

Defensive end Everson Griffen, returning from a five-game absence for mental health treatment, led the sprint out of the replica Vikings ship for introductions. Diggs was saved for last. Then the action came fast and furious. Kamara capped the opening touchdown drive by catching a forward flip on a jet sweep play with both backup quarterbacks, Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill, lined up as wide receivers. Hill had taken a turn at quarterback earlier and threw a 44-yard pass to Michael Thomas, his second highlight-reel reception during that drive. Thielen climbed over the neck of Williams for a tricky third-down catch on the ensuing possession for the Vikings, who kept on attacking the third-year nickel cornerback. Diggs beat him with a back-shoulder grab at the goal line and again four plays later on a toe-tap touchdown at the edge of the end zone on fourth down. Williams had a pass interference penalty on the next drive for the Vikings. That set up a short scoring run by Latavius Murray, who tossed the ball back to Cousins earlier on that possession for a 28-yard flea-flicker throw to Thielen. THIELEN IT Thielen tied Calvin Johnson's all-time NFL record of eight straight 100-yard receiving games, set in 2012 with Detroit. He also matched Patrick Jeffers with a fifth consecutive game with 100-plus yards and at least one touchdown, a mark set in 1999 for Carolina. INJURY REPORT Saints: CB Eli Apple, acquired this week in a trade with the New York Giants, made his debut at CB. He started in place of Ken Crawley, who was on the inactive list but not on the injury report this week. Vikings: CB Xavier Rhodes (foot) was one of six starters held out with injuries, giving rookie Holton Hill his first start. LB Anthony Barr (hamstring), SS Andrew Sendejo (groin), LG Tom Compton (knee), LT Riley Reiff (foot) and RB Dalvin Cook (hamstring) were the others. ... Backup RB Roc Thomas left with a hamstring injury. UP NEXT Saints: Return home to host the Los Angeles Rams (8-0) next Sunday. Vikings: Stay home to face the Detroit Lions (3-4) next Sunday.

PUBLICATION: USA Today DATE: 10/29/18

No 'Miracle' this time: Saints prove too much for Vikings By Jarrett Bell MINNEAPOLIS – It wasn’t so much avenging the “Minneapolis Miracle” as it was a measuring stick for the New Orleans Saints. So, call it the “Minneapolis Measuring Stick.” The Saints used some serious grit to win a rematch against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night, 30-20, riding with two huge turnovers from the defense that was so embarrassed during their last visit to U.S. Bank Stadium in January for an NFC divisional playoff game. There was no need for a miracle finish this time, but the Saints (6-1) at least proved that they can indeed win on the Vikings’ turf after dropping two games here in the past 13 months. More: 32 things we learned from Week 8 of the 2018 NFL season Usually, the highlights for a Saints win are provided by Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara or Michael Thomas. But on Sunday night, the signature plays came from the Saints defense. Marshon Lattimore set up a touchdown just before halftime with a 54-yard fumble return, then P.J. Williams picked off Kirk Cousins and raced 45 yards for a touchdown. Brees, Kamara and Thomas were efficient enough. Yet in the bigger picture, the Saints can draw some encouragement that their much-maligned secondary – stung repeatedly by record-breaker Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs – had a few counter-punches in its tank to help sink Minnesota (4-3-1). If New Orleans is going to mount a serious bid to advance to the Super Bowl, it will need more of that big-play defense. And another measuring stick looms in a matter of days, when the NFL’s only undefeated team, the Los Angeles Rams (8-0) brings its prolific offense to the Superdome on Sunday. Three other things we learned: 1. The Saints' secondary is still an adventure. What a way to bounce back from last posteason's heartbreak. Sure, that was last year. But the New Orleans secondary remains the team’s Achilles’ heel, and for a while on Sunday night it appeared it would be exposed as something much less than championship-caliber. And no one, it seemed, was having quite the nightmare like Williams, who was beaten for Minnesota’s first TD and flagged for DPI in the end zone to second up the second TD. But before it was over, the Saints' secondary was posing for pictures in the end zone and celebrating big plays. 2. Thielen can change a game in more ways than one. The Vikings’ rags-to-riches receiver tacked on some more records (breaking new ground with his eighth consecutive 100-yard game, topping marks set by Charley Hennigan, Julio Jones and Randy Moss, and tying a mark set by Calvin Johnson). But he also coughed up the fumble just before halftime that changed the game’s momentum. Minnesota was poised to extend its lead to 10 points before Alex Anzalone forced the fumble that Lattimore returned 54 yards to set up the Alvin Kamara TD plunge that gave New Orleans a lead (17-13) that it never relinquished.

3. Drew Brees isn’t perfect. The 39-year-old Saints quarterback might be in the conversation for the first NFL MVP of his 18-year career (in the running with Todd Gurley and Patrick Mahomes, among others), given his remarkable consistency. It’s taken him nearly half the season to throw his first interception, which came late in the second quarter at the hands of Harrison Smith. The pass over the middle sailed above intended receiver Michael Thomas.

PUBLICATION: USA Today DATE: 10/29/18

Vikes CB Rhodes among 6 starters out; Saints CB Apple starts By AP MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have six injured starters out against New Orleans: cornerback Xavier Rhodes (foot), running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring), safety Andrew Sendejo (groin), linebacker Anthony Barr (hamstring), left guard Tom Compton (knee) and left tackle Riley Reiff (foot). Rhodes, Barr and Compton were hurt in the previous game. Cook is inactive for the fifth time in six games. Reiff and Sendejo are out for the third straight game. Nose tackle Linval Joseph returned to the lineup Sunday night after missing the previous game with ankle, elbow and knee injuries. For the Saints, cornerback Eli Apple makes his debut in place of Ken Crawley, who is not injured. Crawley started five of the first six games. Apple was acquired earlier this week in a trade with the New York Giants.

PUBLICATION: USA Today DATE: 10/29/18

Another Minneapolis Miracle? Saints sure hope not By AP The last time the Saints and Vikings hooked up, folks in Minnesota were toasting Stefon Diggs with steins of Surly, and people in Louisiana were crying in their gumbo. They get together again in prime time, a nice treat to finish off a Sunday with several intriguing matchups. New Orleans sure hopes there's no second Minneapolis Miracle. "This is not a revenge game," Drew Brees insists, referring to the playoff loss in January. "It's a different season. These are new teams, even though there's a lot of similar personnel. It's a new season, new team, new mindset. So listen, it's a very good opponent that we are playing on 'Sunday Night Football' at their place. It is a tough environment (and) a tough place to play. We understand we're going to need our best game, our best execution to win." The Saints (5-1) have been doing a lot of winning since they were upset by Tampa Bay in their opener. Last week they won against a playoff-caliber team at Baltimore. Now they get the Vikings (4-2-1), who have been spotty but lead the NFC North and are 14-3 at home vs. New Orleans. The Vikings might feel equipped enough to get into a shootout with Brees, but when you listen to their coach, Mike Zimmer, who has a defensive background, he knows his side will be tested. It's uncertain if the Vikings will have end Everson Griffen available as he returns from dealing with mental issues that sidelined him for almost six weeks. "I think as the game goes on, Brees gets a much better feel of what the defense is trying to do throughout the course of the ballgame with him," Zimmer says. "A guy like him who has seen everything — he sees everything anyway — but he's seen so many different looks that he can kind of decipher things quickly on the move. I think that's part of it, and he's got good players, too. Michael Thomas is good, (Alvin) Kamara is good, (Mike) Ingram is good. They have a lot of good players." The weekend began Thursday night with Houston's 42-23 home victory over the Miami Dolphins. Deshaun Watson matched his career high with five touchdown passes to lead the Texans to their fifth straight victory after opening 0-3. Miami has lost two straight to drop to 4-4. Off are Dallas (3-4), Tennessee (3-4), Atlanta (3-4) and the Los Angeles Chargers (5-2). Green Bay (3-2-1) at Los Angeles Rams (7-0) Talk about shootouts, this has the makings of one. Green Bay comes off a bye, which means Aaron Rodgers is healthier and could have more targets to connect with. Still, the Packers rank fourth in passing and A-Rod has 332.8 yards passing per game and 12 touchdowns, one pick. But the Packers opened as the biggest underdog of his career. That's because the NFL's only unbeaten team has been unstoppable with the ball and pretty stingy without it.

Oh yeah, the Packers don't cover particularly well in the secondary. Running back Todd Gurley leads the NFL with 88 points, 686 yards rushing, 144 carries and 956 yards from scrimmage. DE Aaron Donald co-leads with eight sacks, comes off four sacks, six tackles for loss against San Francisco. Denver (3-4) at Kansas City (6-1) The Chiefs have won six in a row in this series and, like the Rams, have a dynamic, versatile offense. But they also rank last in yardage allowed on defense, so Denver might not be totally overmatched. Chiefs coach Andy Reid won his 200th game last week vs. Cincinnati. Reid would tie Dan Reeves for eighth in NFL history with another victory. To get it, he will rely on second-year QB Patrick Mahomes, who leads the NFL in TD passes (22) and 25-yard-plus completions (26). He has a franchise-record six consecutive 300-yard passing games. Baltimore (4-3) at Carolina (4-2) Carolina exhibited its resilience and staying power by rallying from 17 points down in the fourth quarter at Philadelphia last week. It was the largest comeback in franchise history, and now the Panthers are home, where they've won eight straight. The challenge is huge against Baltimore, which fell at home by one point to New Orleans when Justin Tucker — only the league's career kicking leader — missed an extra point for the first time. That final-seconds miscue shouldn't camouflage that the Ravens lead the league in defense. Baltimore has allowed 101 points, lowest total through seven games since coach John Harbaugh took over in 2008. The Ravens have allowed the fewest yards (280.6 per game) and fewest points (14.4). Seattle (3-3) at Detroit (3-3) Two teams that started ugly and have begun to look a lot more attractive. Seattle has gone physical with the run game and on defense and, despite being in retooling mode, seems ready to challenge for a wild-card playoff berth. Pete Carroll's bunch protects the ball, too, with only six giveaways. The Seahawks are playing for the first time since the death of owner Paul Allen. Detroit seems to have discovered a running game: Rookie Kerryon Johnson ran for a career-high 158 yards at Miami last week. But Seattle's D is stingy on the ground. Philadelphia (3-4) vs. Jacksonville (3-4) at London Two teams beginning to look ugly, particularly the Jaguars, who had locker-room discord after last week's loss to Houston that included QB Blake Bortles getting benched. Coach Doug Marrone is sticking with Bortles for now and there was a players-only meeting Monday in hopes of clearing the air. This is the sixth straight year Jacksonville is playing a home game in London. Following their collapse against Carolina, the Eagles probably welcomed getting far out of town. It's their first trip to London for a game. The Eagles lead the NFL in time of possession, averaging more than 33 minutes. But with Jacksonville's secondary undermanned, Carson Wentz could look to the air. He has thrown 173 consecutive passes without an interception. New England (5-2) at Buffalo (2-5), Monday night

ESPN must have liked the idea of the Bills, coming off their first playoff berth since before ESPN was created — well, not quite — against Tom Brady and the Patriots. Instead, this could be a classic rout. Consider these numbers: —The Patriots are 31-4 in the past 35 meetings. —Brady holds the NFL career wins record by a quarterback against one opponent with a 28-3 record. —New England is 7-0 in night games against the Bills. —The Patriots have scored 21 or more points in the first half in each of the past four games this season to match a franchise-best streak, and the Bills have allowed 24 or more points in the first half three times. Cleveland (2-4-1) at Pittsburgh (3-2-1) Another lopsided rivalry, though this game has some cachet because the Browns tend to play the Steelers tough before losing. They tied to open the season. The Steelers come off a bye. They have won the past 14 meetings at Heinz Field; Cleveland's last victory in Pittsburgh came in October 2003. Plus, the Browns have lost 24 straight road games, two shy of the NFL record owned by the Lions (2007-10). And the Browns are 6-32-1 overall against Pittsburgh since 1999, when Cleveland re-entered the NFL. The Browns lead the NFL with 20 takeaways, but they have scored only 31 points off those turnovers. Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger is 22-2-1 all-time against the Browns and unbeaten at home. He's an Ohio native. Washington (4-2) at New York Giants (1-6) The New York tabloids already are projecting which college quarterback the Giants will draft after they finish near the bottom of the standings for a second successive season. Maybe if they had anyone who could pass protect, the conversation wouldn't be so tilted against Eli Manning, who barely has time to look downfield as he sets up to throw. In comes surprise NFC East leader Washington, which ranks fifth in defense and has one of the top candidates for Comeback Player of the Year in Adrian Peterson. The veteran has 95-plus yards rushing in four of six games. Tampa Bay (3-3) at Cincinnati (4-3) It's natural to wonder about the Bengals' psyche after Cincinnati again blew a lead at home to Pittsburgh, then got hammered in Kansas City. The Bengals took the second-most-lopsided loss in coach Marvin Lewis' 16 seasons with that 45-10 debacle at the Chiefs. They had only one drive longer than 50 yards and a season-low 239 yards gained. Tampa stopped a three-game skid as dramatically as possible. Chandler Catanzaro made a 59-yard FG — the longest in OT since 1974 — for a 26-23 win over the Browns. The Buccaneers lead the NFL in total yards per game (449.5) and yards passing per game (364). New York Jets (3-4) at Chicago (3-3)

A few weeks ago, the Bears sure were representing the city of big shoulders well, reviving talk of the Monsters of the Midway on defense, looking like a burgeoning power on offense. Then came a pair of losses and the Bears plummeted from the top of the NFC North to the bottom. Chicago led the league with 18 sacks through the first four games. The Bears have one since. Star Khalil Mack has no sacks in the past two games while being limited by an ankle injury, after getting five in the first four outings. Jets first-rounder Sam Darnold is learning how difficult a rookie QB's life can be. He's coming off his worst game as a pro with three interceptions. The No. 3 overall draft pick leads the league with 10 interceptions to go with one of the NFL's worst completion rates (56.1 percent) and passer ratings (74.3). Indianapolis (2-5) at Oakland (1-5) The teardown of the roster continues in Oakland, where Jon Gruden dealt his top receiver, Amari Cooper, to Dallas. Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck seeks his fifth straight game with at least three TD passes. Luck has 15 TDs in his past four games. Oakland is last in the league with seven sacks. Kicker Adam Vinatieri needs five points to break Morten Andersen's NFL career scoring record (2,544 points) but is plagued by an injured groin. San Francisco (1-6) at Arizona (1-6) The Cardinals have won eight of the past nine in this series, including three weeks ago. San Francisco is minus-15 in turnover margin, worst in the NFL. Arizona fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy this week, replacing him with QBs coach Byron Leftwich. Star WR Larry Fitzgerald needs 135 yards to pass Terrell Owens into second place in NFL career yards receiving.

PUBLICATION: USA Today DATE: 10/29/18

Adam Thielen records eighth straight 100-yard game By Jeremy Bergman Adam Thielen's all-time great season continued on Sunday evening. The Minnesota Vikings receiver recorded his eighth straight 100-yard receiving game in their 30-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints. In doing so, Thielen tied former Detroit Lions great Calvin Johnson for most consecutive games with 100 yards receiving; Johnson accomplished it in 2012. Thielen is now the only player in NFL history to start a season with eight straight 100-yard receiving games.