Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds vs. Raiders in Week 3
Stud: Adam Thielen
The first stud of the game for the Vikings and one that stood out in the game early and often for Minnesota was wide receiver Adam Thielen. As was the case for a majority of the 2018 season, Thielen was a reliable option for Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins throughout the entirety of the Week 3 win and was a target for the quarterback to keep on returning to within the Minnesota offense.
On the day, Thielen led the Vikings receiving unit with 55 total yards and one touchdown on three catches through the air. With an average of 18.3 yards per catch, he also ran for one touchdown out of the backfield for Minnesota.
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Thielen has been consistent for the Vikings this year, but it was nice to see him have a breakout performance like we saw more often a year ago for Minnesota in the win.
Dud: Stefon Diggs
On the other side of the field to counter Thielen, the first dud of the game for Minnesota on Sunday was wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Diggs has had a tough start to the season, coming into the Week 3 contest with just three catches on the year, and on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, he continued to struggle when it seemed like everything else was clicking for the Vikings.
Diggs tallied just three catches for 15 yards in the game for Minnesota to bring his season total to six catches in three contests. Coming off of a year where he and Thielen seemed to record 100-yard receiving games almost weekly, the slow start for Diggs so far in 2019 is something to keep an eye on moving forward.
Although the rushing offense is rolling for the Vikings right now, which contributes to some of the limited targets and catches for Diggs and there receiving group, it will be important for Diggs to try and get back on track as the season continues to progress.