A NEW ERA DAWNS BRIGHT

VIKINGS 23

PACKERS 7

The Kevin O'Connell era of Minnesota Vikings football officially began on Sunday, with the 3 time defending NFC North champion Packers in town.

And as first impressions go, I don't know how it could have been that much better. This whole game felt like a cleansing. Out with the bad vibes that permeated the last regime, in with the new enthusiasm. 

They wasted no time. They took the ball, and went right down the field for their first touchdown, a 4th and 1 toss to JJ. Even the decision to go for it felt new.

The Vikings caught a huge break on the Packers 1st offensive play, cause Rodgers launched a deep ball to Christian Watson, who had Pat P beat. It was a sure touchdown...except Watson dropped the ball. Hey, we have earned a break. 

The Packers had another chance to tie it early in the 2nd quarter, having methodically driven to the Vikings goal. But on a 4th and 1 the Packers chose to run it and AJ Dillon was stuffed. 

The Vikings turned around and marched 94 yards, the highlight a terrific play where Kirk stepped up in the pocket and hit JJ deep. They almost connected again for six but JJ's foot wasn't quite down, so they settled for a field goal.

The Kirk-JJ connection did hit paydirt on the next series, as again JJ got wide open, hauled in the throw and got in the endzone for a 17-0 lead.

Now feeling some desperation, Rodgers chucked one up that Harrison Smith picked off. It didn't impact the score but spoke to how discombobulated we had made them.

It got even worse for Rodgers to start the 3rd quarter, as he got gang sacked and fumbled the ball. We actually went backwards on offense, but Greg Joseph hit a team record tying 56 yard field goal to pad the lead.

You knew eventually Green Bay was going to make some kind of push, and they did the next series, gashing us on a few runs and getting their first and only TD. So this is where that Minnesota sports PTSD kind of starts percolating and you think a comeback is afoot. 

But it really wasn't. Even though the Vikings offense remained bogged down, they were able to tack on another field goal.

And this defense just never lost its edge. They finished with 4 sacks, only allowed 3 3rd down conversions, and held Rodgers to under 200 yards. Just about everyone on that side has 1 or 2 standout moments. Certainly nobody is happier than Za'Darius Smith,  who got to sack his ex-teammate. But for a 1st game in a new scheme and against this team, 7 points is a remarkable showing. You start to dream about what this unit can do as they become.more comfortable in the 3-4.

The offense isn't a finished product either. This game was basically just the Kirk and JJ show, with a dash of Dalvin. But Thielen, Osborn and Irv were largely non-factors. The run game got going a little.bit at times but didn't explode. The OL only gave up 1 sack, despite Ed Ingram having a couple of "welcome to the NFL" moments. This unit too should only get better.

It's about as encouraging a week 1 win as the Vikings have had in many years. If this team grows from here the sky really is the limit for what they can do. You want to temper the excitement after one game, but what a one game it was.