The Vikings’ Week 3 win over the Bucs didn’t produce a long list of eye-popping PFF numbers, but there were still a few clear winners - and a handful of rough spots - in the grades.
Up front on offense, Will Fries led the way with an 80.7 grade, while Justin Jefferson checked in at 78 and Donovan Jackson posted a 71.3. On the other end of the spectrum, Max Bredeson came in at 36.1, DeeJay Dallas was at 37.2, and Gavin Bartholomew finished at 41.3.
The rushing grades were more middle-of-the-road. Kyler Murray earned a 66, followed by DeeJay Dallas at 59.3, Aaron Jones Sr. at 58.4, and Demond Claiborne at 56.1.
When it came to run blocking, Donovan Jackson stood out with an 81.7, and Will Fries was right behind him at 81.1. Jauan Jennings also landed in the top group at 73.9. The lowest run-blocking marks went to Gavin Bartholomew at 42.1, Christian Darrisaw at 43, and Brian O'Neill at 43.4.
Pass protection told a different story. Brian O'Neill was the top pass blocker at 86, Aaron Jones Sr. surprisingly followed at 85.2, and Christian Darrisaw came in at 77. At the bottom, Max Bredeson graded out at 5.1, DeeJay Dallas at 8.1, and Josh Oliver at 62.5.
Defensively, Andrew Van Ginkel put together the best overall grade on the unit at 89.2. Isaiah Rodgers wasn’t far behind at 88.1, and Kyle Van Noy posted an 84.6. The lowest defensive grades belonged to Harrison Smith at 33.9, Josh Metellus at 47.4, and Ivan Pace Jr. at 51.6.
Against the run, Kyle Van Noy led the Vikings with an 80.5. Jalen Redmond followed at 74.2, and Blake Cashman was at 73.6. The weakest run-defense grades went to Ivan Pace Jr. at 45.4, Dallas Turner at 56, and Harrison Smith at 60.
In the pass-rush numbers, Ivan Pace Jr. came out on top at 80.6, with Josh Metellus at 74.4 and Blake Cashman at 71.4. Jalen Redmond was lowest there at 46.4, while Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins posted 49.3 and Levi Drake Rodriguez was at 49.7.
Coverage was another strong area for Van Ginkel, who led the group with a 92.9. Isaiah Rodgers earned an 88, and Eric Wilson finished at 76.3. The bottom three in coverage were Blake Cashman at 32.8, Harrison Smith at 38.2, and Ivan Pace Jr. at 45.9.
In Other News...
Vikings Face A Huge Sunday Question As Injury Concerns Mount
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Justin Jefferson is among the notable Vikings absences, while Dolphins running back DeVon Achane also sat out practice and is trending toward not playing. Several other players across both rosters were listed with limited or full participation, leaving a handful of availability questions still open as the teams head toward Sunday with more than a little uncertainty hanging over the matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Ivan Pace Jr. Just Forced A Vikings Snap Count Debate
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The bigger question is how the Vikings keep balancing Paces strengths with the parts of his game theyre still trying to protect him from. He has shown he can help change a passing series, but the coaching staff also appears intent on limiting his exposure against the run. For now, that leaves Pace in a familiar and awkward middle ground: too effective to ignore, but not quite locked into a full-time role, which is exactly the kind of snap-count debate that can linger deep into a season. [Read more 🡒]
J.J. McCarthy Report Adds Tension To Vikings Quarterback Transition
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What makes the situation worth watching is the potential for that kind of reaction to affect the transition Minnesota has been managing behind the scenes. Teams can survive a backup quarterback stint if everyone stays aligned, but any hint of frustration or jealousy can complicate the handoff once the starter is ready again, and the Vikings may have more to sort through than just the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]