Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds vs. Redskins in Week 8

Stud: Vikings defense

Minnesota’s defense continued their string of solid performances to kick off the 2019 campaign in the win over Washington at US Bank Stadium, holding the Redskins out of the endzone and to just three field goals in the contest.

The Vikings defense was also able to force the Redskins offense into two turnovers in the game, including one interception and one fumble. Minnesota’s dominant defensive unit held Washington to 131 yards passing through the air and held former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and the rest of the Redskins running back group to just 85 yards rushing on the ground.

One constant throughout the year for Minnesota has been its defense and it once again being one of the top units in the NFL through eight weeks of the 2019 campaign. That defense will have to step up again next week against a powerful Kansas City offense on the road.

Dud: Getting into the end zone

The final dud that took place for Minnesota in its fourth straight win in Week 8 on Thursday night at US Bank Stadium was the Vikings’ ability to ultimately get into the endzone and convert in the red zone throughout the course of the contest.

Minnesota wasn’t really in any danger — or at least it didn’t feel like it — throughout the game against Washington and appeared to be the superior team throughout the matchup in Minneapolis, but the Vikings need to try and clean up some issues on offense to be able to get into the endzone more while settling for field goals less often.

Minnesota was able to get into the end zone once in the game, which was the lone touchdown between either team on Thursday night, but it has some other opportunities to try and put the game out of reach and extend its lead even further only to settle for just three points rather than obtaining seven.

The Vikings finished the contest with four field goals, with kicker Dan Bailey putting together a strong performance of going 4-for-4 on field goals and one-for-one on extra points. But Minnesota needs to try and take advantage of the end of offensive drives by getting into the endzone more often than it was able to in the Week 8 victory.