Purple Reign: A Vikings Dynasty (Madden 15)

Week 1 Recap Vikings at Packers

   The Vikings, down Teddy Bridgewater for the first two weeks, came in as an underdog, with many expecting Aaron Rodgers to rip their young secondary apart. Rodgers ended the day looking miserable after what was his worst game as a pro: 26 of 40 (65%), for 312 yards, no touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. For the Vikings, Tajh Boyd was the next man up at QB, and the team opted not to release any players to make room for any reserve QBs, so they were all in on him. Boyd had a solid game, finishing 29 of 50 (58%) for 345 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. 

   Boyd was supported heavily by the ground game. Starter David Cobb carried 19 times for 109 yards (5.73 average) and a touchdown, and Denard Robinson surprised everyone with 67 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries (5.15 average). Robinson also broke 4 tackles. Mike France, returning home to Wisconsin for the second time in his pro career, had 14 yards and a TD on 2 carries. For the Packers, Eddie Lacy was held to -5 yards on 10 carries, and the Vikings switch to a 3-4 defense seemed like a success.

   1st year tight end Geoffrey Hughes had 7 grabs for 94 yards to lead the Packers, and Eddie Lacy added 6 for 62, with DaVante Adams adding 5 for 46. Vincent Jackson led the Vikings with 5 grabs for 53 yards and a score, Stefon Diggs had 4 for 46, Jermaine Gresham 4 for 43 and a score, Mike France 3 for 34 and 2 TDs out of the backfield, and Michael Floyd 2 for 50 and an impressive TD. 

   Rookie Vikings end Taqwuan Baker made two sacks, while Eric Kendricks, rookie Tamarcus Hennings, Bruce Irvin, Leonard Williams, Anthony Barr, and Sharrif Floyd each added a sack a piece. Xavier Rhodes picked Rodgers off twice, while Harrison Smith and Captain Munnerlyn also had interceptions. Josh Boyd had a sack for Green Bay, while Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Casey Hayward both had picks. Hayward returned his for a touchdown. Mason Crosby finished 4 of 5 with a 53 long on field goals, while Randy Bullock went 1 of 1 with a 37 long. Ty Montgomery returned a kick for a touchdown and had 151 kick return yards. Mike France returned 2 punts for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Final: Vikings 66, Packers 26

Other notable game around the league:

Oakland 27, Atlanta 21

Tampa Bay 36, Kansas City 19

Detroit 34, San Francisco 28

Week 2 2016 Panthers at Vikings

   The pregame hype surrounding this game was all about Tajh Boyd. After his important role in dismantling the Packers, there was a small push amongst the Viking fanbase for him to remain the starter even after Teddy Bridgewater would be available in Week 3. If Boyd would dominate the Panthers, the Vikings would certainly have to consider him. Boyd didn't necessarily disappoint, but he was very average, making the mistakes a player with his on-field experience should. He finished 24 of 38 (63.15%) for 342 yards, 5TDs, and 5INTs. Panthers QB Jameis Winston struggled, though the stats didn't really show his story. Winston went 21 of 27 (77.77) for just 165 yards, no TDs, and a pick. After a Winston injury early in the 4th, 1st year QB Jude Boyett entered, and became the first QB to pass for a touchdown on the Vikings this season. Boyett finished 6 of 7 (85.71) for 94 yards and 2TDs, with no picks.

   LaBrece Britt finished with 21 carries for 59 yards (2.80) and Jonathan Dwyer added 11 yards on 9 carries (1.22). David Cobb had 16 carries for 72 yards (4.50) and a TD, while Denard Robinson added 66 yards on 12 carries (5.50), and T.J. Yeldon 62 on just 3 carries, nearly breaking for a touchdown. Andre Roberts led the Panthers with 7 grabs for 78 yards, rookie TE Davis Fields had 7 for 46, Pierre Garcon 4 for 49, rookie Durrel Geathers 2 for 13 and a TD, and Mike Tolbert a 12 yard TD grab. Vincent Jackson led the Vikings with 6 for 78, Stefon Diggs had 5 for 51 and 2TDs, Jermaine Gresham 4 for 81, Michael Floyd 3 for 44 and a score, Jared Abbrederis 2 for 32 and a score, and Larry Fitzgerald a 25 yard TD catch.

   Rookie linebacker Matt Stokes, originally buried on the depth chart at edge rusher for the Vikings, played just 2 downs in the Green Bay game, registering 2 QB pressures. Against the Panthers, he had 4 sacks, and looks to be a more permanent fixture in the Vikings defense. A late round-4-3 defensive end, the switch to 3-4 backer has been tough for him. Meanwhile, Leonard Williams added 3 sacks, and Sharrif Floyd 1. Stokes' emergence could spell Anthony Barr, who has been reportedly placed on the trade block, with the right outside duties locked up by Thomas Davis and Bruce Irvin. Xavier Rhodes had the lone Vikings interception, and Mike France returned a kick 89 yards for a score, adding 55 yards on 5 punt returns. 

Final: Vikings 58, Panthers 20

Other notable games around the league:

Kansas City 24, Oakland 21

Dallas 34, Green Bay 24

N.Y. Jets 31, Chargers 24