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MIN-DET Grades: Bridgewater, Diggs shine in Vikings win

Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from the Vikings’ 28-19 win over the Lions.

Minnesota Vikings

– QB Teddy Bridgewater put together a solid outing on Sunday. He was particularly effective downfield on passes targeted 10+ yards downfield, where he completed seven passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. His two highest-graded games this season have now come against the Lions, with a +2.1 yesterday, and a +4.4 overall grade in Week 2.

– Rookie WR Stefon Diggs was impressive for the second-straight week, and looks to be working his way up the depth chart. He led the Vikings' wide receivers in snaps played for the second consecutive week, playing 60 of 75 offensive snaps. Diggs had his way against Lions’ CB Rashean Mathis, hauling in five passes for 106 yards, capped by a beautiful diving catch for a touchdown on an out-and-up against the veteran.

– Granted, CB Xavier Rhodes was tasked with covering Calvin Johnson for the majority of the game, but it was his second-straight below-average outing. He allowed only four catches for 40 yards on five targets; however, one went for a touchdown and he was also penalized twice in coverage. His 10 penalties on the season are tied for the league lead with Brandon Browner, and of the 10, nine have been holding or pass interference penalties.

Top performers:

K Blair Walsh (+2.7)
DT Linval Joseph (+2.6)
QB Teddy Bridgewater (+2.1)
C Joe Berger (+2.1)
RG Michael Harris (+1.9)

 

Detroit Lions

– Outside of the one big run by RB Adrian Peterson, the Lions played pretty well against Minnesota. Peterson’s other 18 carries went for just 23 yards, six of which were for losses. Out of the 30 rushes by Viking running backs, they were hit at or behind the line of scrimmage 19 times. LBs Stephen Tulloch and Josh Bynes played great against the run, with +2.4 and +2.0 run defense grades, respectively.

– Just another day for WR Calvin Johnson (+2.3). He had five receptions for 86 yards, a touchdown, and a heroic catch to prevent a possible interception on a pass where QB Matthew Stafford was hit as he threw late in the game. His counterpart, Golden Tate, did not put forth a similar performance. Tate caught just two passes for 14 yards on six targets, with one dropped pass.

– DE Ezekiel Ansah seems to be doing just fine without having Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley playing alongside him. Ansah is our 10th-ranked edge defender so far in 2015 (82.8 rating). He had another solid outing this week, as he picked up seven total pressures on 27 pass rushes and two run stops.

Top performers:

DE Ezekiel Ansah (+3.7)
LT Riley Rieff (+3.4)
LB Josh Bynes (+2.6)
WR Calvin Johnson (+2.3)
DE Jason Jones (+2.1)

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