Top Minnesota Vikings Rookies: Week 7 vs. the Detroit Lions

How did the rookies perform for the Minnesota Vikings during the team’s big divisional win over the Detroit Lions in Week 7?

Even though it turned out to be a shootout, the Minnesota Vikings went on the road and came out on the winning end of an NFC North matchup with the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The Vikings won 42-30 in a game that didn’t feature a whole lot of defense. Speaking of defense, Minnesota didn’t have a defensive rookie contribute in this week’s contest, so the talk is going to be on the offensive side of the ball.

The talk needs to start with Garrett Bradbury and the Vikings offensive line. They did an excellent job in pass protection against the Lions on Sunday. Kirk Cousins had all day long to throw the ball and he was really only pressured once.

Bradbury was calling out Detroit’s formations like a grizzled old veteran. He was tough in the running game and he was moving Lions defenders out of the way with relative ease. His play was a big reason why Dalvin Cook and company rushed for 166 yards on Sunday.

Lately, Bradbury has been getting better and better every week, and that has to be very encouraging for the Vikings coaching staff to see after his mediocre start to the season.

Minnesota rookie running back Alexander Mattison wasn’t super active against Detroit. He had just seven carries and managed only 18 yards on the ground. It was his lowest rushing total since Week 4 against the Chicago Bears.

Mattison ran hard in the limited touches he got, but the holes just weren’t there when his number was called.