Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds from Week 14 vs. Buccaneers

Stud: Success on the ground

While going into the game facing off against one of the best defenses in the NFL and specifically one of the best run defenses on the side of Tampa Bay, Minnesota’s running game knew it might have its work cut out for it during the majority of the game.

Led by Dalvin Cook once again, the Vikings rushing attack didn’t take too much of a step back against a top-tier defense on the other side of the ball, finishing the game with a total of 33 carries for 162 yards and one touchdown.

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Cook led the charge of things on the ground once again this week, tallying a team-best 22 rush attempts for 102 yards, also finding the endzone once. Cousins surprisingly added five carries for 41 yards behind Cook.

Dud: Giving up large chunk plays

For the most part on Sunday afternoon in Tampa, the Vikings defense did a relatively decent job in holding Tom Brady and the Buccaneers offense in check throughout the game.

When it came to the difference-maker on Tampa Bay’s side of the ball, it was able to record a few chunk plays against Minnesota’s defense which allowed the Buccaneers to get an early lead at home.

Overall, the Vikings limited the Buccaneers to a total of 196 yards receiving in the game but allowed a few high-yardage plays to occur, most notably a 48-yard touchdown reception from Scotty Miller, a 29-yard reception from Mike Evans and a few other big plays.

In the end, Minnesota’s defense did a decent job against Tampa Bay while being shorthanded, but the large chunk plays along the way certainly didn’t help much.