Norv Turner was a step ahead of Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett on seemingly every play in the second half as the Minnesota Vikings rallied from behind several times for a 29-26 victory. Our takeaways:
- Robert Griffin III's return got off to a booming start. He was 6-of-6 passing to begin the game. However, he went 12 of 22 from there. He totaled 251 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception -- the latter on a putrid pass at the end of the first half that led to a Vikings score and completely changed the game.
Griffin's mobility wasn't an issue whatsoever. He ran seven times for 24 yards. He also displayed his ability to shimmy out of pressure, a talent few in our planetary system possess. His struggles were similar to the issues he displayed before the injury: He held onto the ball waaaaaaay too long in the pocket and was off-target on too many easy throws.
- Teddy Bridgewater threw a whopping 42 passes. He started out shaky and badly missed on some deep balls but adjusted in the second half. The rookie is still brutally streaky with his intermediate and long accuracy, but Norv Turner got the ball out of Bridgewater's hands quickly in the final two quarters. Bridgewater finished 26 of 42 for 268 yards and a touchdown. The rookie never made a big mistake. He utilized his feet to get out of the pocket and went through his progressions well, hitting wide-open receivers jaunting through the Redskins' secondary.
- When Matt Asiata scores a rushing touchdown, just mark him down for three. The running back recorded the third three-touchdown game of his career. He has zero rushing touchdowns in every other game he's played. Jerick McKinnon displayed again that he is by far the more talented running back and was vital to the Vikings' comeback. McKinnon helps drag the Vikings to the goal line and Asiata scores the touchdowns, apparently.
- RGIII's return sparked Alfred Morris' best game of the season -- as we thought it would. Morris had 19 carries for 92 yards and two touchdown runs. It was obvious, especially early, that Vikings defenders were wary of Griffin keeping it on read options, opening up lanes for Morris.
- Redskins rookie corner Bashaud Breeland showed he can be a stud, but the Redskins' secondary was an absolute mess this week. There were countless wide open receivers -- Greg Jennings looked like he had a day pass to the spa. Whether it was miscommunication or bad schemes, Haslett's group was worked over. Once the Redskins front four stopped getting pressure Bridgewater was playing pitch and catch.
- DeSean Jackson makes more difficult catches while getting crushed than any other receiver. He had four catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.
- Turner is a tight end wizard. He's turning Chase Ford into a playmaker.Â
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps every Sunday game from an action-packed Week 9. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
