Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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There were plenty of frustrating moments on all sides from the Vikings Week 4 loss in Chicago.
But there were some positive takeaways, too, including the play of three players on defense.
Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune took a second look at Sunday’s game and found that defensive ends Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter, plus linebacker Eric Kendricks, were each highly effective against the Bears.
Goessling said Kendricks was a key factor in stifling Chicago’s rushing attack.
The linebacker had 12 tackles Sunday, leading all players in the game, and was a big reason the Bears weren’t able to get their run game going after Mitchell Trubisky left. Chicago ran for just 72 yards on 33 carries. Kendricks has 26 solo tackles and seven assists through four games.
Goessling also noted that Hunter and Griffen also played at a high level at Soldier Field.
[Hunter] had the hit that knocked Trubisky out of the game, and applied consistent pressure on Chase Daniel after Trubisky left. When Daniel tried to scramble for a first down on a third-and-3 at the end of the first half, Hunter made a play around the edge of the line of scrimmage to stop him a yard short.
On a day where the Vikings mostly had to settle for pressures against a quarterback intent on getting rid of the ball early, Griffen led the team with a pair of QB hits.
Goessling also pointed out that Vikings cornerback Mike Hughes is providing depth and versatility in his return to the secondary.
Hughes missed the first two games of the season while fully recovering from an ACL injury suffered in Week 6 of the 2018 season.
Fellow cornerback Mackensie Alexander was injured in Week 1 against Atlanta, but made his return in Week 4 against Chicago.