Tag: Stefon Diggs

Diggs, Joseph among those ‘out’ of Tuesday’s Vikings’ practice

It was a walk-through practice ahead of Saturday’s game against the 49ers.

The Vikings didn’t actually have a practice on Tuesday, but with the Divisional Round game against the 49ers set for Saturday, the Vikings had to make an estimation of who would practice at a walk-through.

Those listed as “DNPs” were cornerback Mackensie Alexander (knee), wide receiver Stefon Diggs (illness), safety Jayron Kearse (toe/knee) and defensive tackle Linval Joseph (knee).

We already know that Alexander will likely miss the contest as he’s set to undergo knee surgery.

Everyone else on the team was a full participant.

We’ll know on Wednesday whether or not the injuries to Kearse and Joseph, or the illness to Diggs, is something to worry about ahead of Saturday’s game.

No, Stefon Diggs didn’t actually snub Sean Payton’s handshake in viral postgame photo

Don’t let the one photo fool you.

The Minnesota Vikings left New Orleans with a 26-20 overtime win over the Saints in Sunday’s NFC Wild Card. And for Vikings receiver Stefon Diggs, a frustrating afternoon managed to yield perhaps THE photo of the season.

As the two teams met on the field for postgame pleasantries, a photo from the Vikings team photographer Travis Ellison appeared to show Diggs mocking the Saints’ “Choppa Style” dance as Saints coach Sean Payton extended his hand to Diggs.

Payton, as many pointed out, mocked the Vikings’ Skol chant back in 2018. Obviously, the snapshot in time painted a picture of disrespect on Diggs’ part, but it was important to note that what unfolded after the photo was unclear.

After all, Diggs hugged Drew Brees after the game. Would he really snub Payton like that? It turned out that the answer was a resounding no.

The frame-by-frame look at the exchange showed that Diggs briefly busted the “Choppa Style” dance and then indeed shared a handshake and hug with Payton.

This was the most likely scenario all along. But hey, the photo was still amazing.

[jwplayer gh2wLQxd-q2aasYxh]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Epic postgame photo shows Stefon Diggs dancing in front of Sean Payton’s handshake

Just … wow.

Stefon Diggs might’ve had himself a frustrating afternoon on the field, but no player was more thrilled about the Vikings’ 26-20 overtime win over the Saints in Sunday’s NFC Wild Card.

Diggs also played a part in one of the most disrespectfully iconic photos we’ll see this postseason.

As the Vikings and Saints players converged around midfield for the postgame handshakes, Diggs broke out into a mock “Choppa Style” dance — a celebration the Saints have used the past couple seasons.

But as that was going on, Saints head coach Sean Payton extended his hand to greet Diggs. That snapshot appeared to show Diggs celebrating in Payton’s face — though we don’t know what unfolded after the photo.

The photo, which was taken by the Minnesota Vikings’ club photographer, is real and probably should be framed in the home of every Vikings fan. It’s so good.

And again, the photo was just an out-of-context shot of the postgame scene, so we don’t know if Diggs actually snubbed Payton (but could you imagine?!). He did, after all, share a hug with Drew Brees after the game.

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

What a great photo, though.

[jwplayer sYrahQnJ-q2aasYxh]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Stefon Diggs chucked his helmet in a sideline tantrum after no targets from Kirk Cousins

Yikes.

Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs hauled in one of the biggest catches in Vikings history against the Saints back in 2018. But it was a far different story for much of Sunday’s NFC Wild Card matchup against New Orleans.

Diggs wasn’t targeted at all by Kirk Cousins in the first half against New Orleans, and as that trend continued deep into the third quarter, the Vikings wide receiver let his frustrations play out for everyone to see.

Midway into the third quarter, Diggs approached the sideline and threw his helmet towards the bench out of frustration. He still hadn’t been targeted in the game, and teammates — including Dalvin Cook and Cousins — tried to calm him down.

Diggs was eventually targeted at the 4:36 mark in the third quarter as he hauled in a nine-yard reception to set up a touchdown. Until that point, this was the closest Diggs came to catching the football.

Even with the Vikings leading, it was that kind of day for Diggs.

[jwplayer sYrahQnJ-q2aasYxh]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Behind Enemy Lines, wild-card round: Previewing Saints vs. Vikings

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are ready for their game against the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round of the 2019 NFL playoffs

[jwplayer 58I9KZjy-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings are on the doorstep of their matchup in the wild-card round of this year’s NFL playoffs tournament, and there are plenty of questions that need answering surrounding the game.

To get the best perspective, we went behind enemy lines to ask Vikings Wire’s Kyle Ratke. Here is what we learned:

1. The Saints have played the Vikings often in recent years, both in the playoffs and the regular season. They even had a preseason game just a few months ago. What’s most different about the latest version of the Vikings we’ll see on Sunday?

KR: I think it’s probably that the defense isn’t the team’s strength these days. The defensive backs have struggled mightily this season. Now that the team will be without Mike Hughes (neck) and Mackensie Alexander (knee), it puts even more pressure on a cornerback group that has been subpar this season. That’s not great news against Michael Thomas and company.

2. Xavier Rhodes has been poorly graded by Pro Football Focus and other outlets this year. Is he dealing with age, an injury, or just missing his mojo?

KR: A lot of it has to do with the game changing so much. Rhodes was at his best when he was able to be physical with other receivers. With the NFL rule changes, he can’t get away with the things that made him thrive before. He isn’t as quick as he once was, either. It would be a huge surprise if Rhodes was a Viking in 2020.

3. Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook haven’t played together in months due to injuries. Are they going to be close to 100% when they play the Saints?

KR: Both should be 100 percent. They both practiced in full all week. The question is whether or not there will be any rust there. The Vikings will need both of these players to be at their best if the Vikings want to pull off an upset.

4. Kirk Cousins has a reputation of struggling in big games in prime time. Is there anything to do that, and how do you think he’ll respond to the pressure of just his second playoff game?

KR: While Cousins hasn’t been great in big games, he’s also been way better in Minnesota than anyone is giving him credit for. If he lays an egg in this one, he surely should get some criticism. But I think he’s going to be just fine in this game with all of his weapons back. The question will be whether he can keep up with the Saints offense.

5. Aright, who’s winning this thing? What is your final score prediction?

KR: As much as I’d love the Vikings to pull off the upset (for my fandom and website numbers), I just don’t see it happening. I don’t this one will be particularly close. Saints 34, Vikings 23.

[vertical-gallery id=26342]

Stefon Diggs overthrew Kirk Cousins on a trick play, and everyone had jokes

What could have been one of the best trick plays of the season was denied by a bad throw from Stefon Diggs. Alas.

Oh Stefon Diggs, what could have been.

The Vikings had a 10-6 lead in the second quarter of their NFC North matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night, and were facing third and four, when they dialed up a fantastic trick play.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins handed off to a running back on what looked like a sweep, only for him to toss the ball to Stefon Diggs on an end around. Diggs then basically appeared to have an option read to either run the ball or throw it to Kirk Cousins.

The defenders committed, leaving Cousins wide open streaking up the sideline and … Diggs overthrew him. It was heartbreaking for fans of trick plays.

This wasn’t a Tom Brady catch fail. Cousins had no shot at this ball. He even dove for it! But yeah, just not the right pass.

Anyway, a lot of people had jokes.

To his credit, Diggs said he won’t complain about overthrows anymore.

Did that play destroy the Vikings? Unclear, but they didn’t score again for the rest of the game. It ended 23-10 in favor of the Packers, which makes the NFC playoff race that much more wild.

[jwplayer WHTenLmy-q2aasYxh]

Ranking the Eagles potential playoff opponents for Wild Card weekend

Ranking the Eagles potential playoff opponents for Wild Card weekend

The NFC playoff picture is starting to clear up, as the 49ers, Saints and Green Bay Packers are all working to secure the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.

The Baltimore Ravens control the AFC, but in the NFC, there are a handful of scenarios still at play in the NFC East and NFC West.

Here is a look at the standings ahead of Monday’s matchup between the Packers and Minnesota Vikings:

NFC

Division Leaders

1. San Francisco (12-3, clinched playoff berth)

2. New Orleans (12-3, clinched NFC South)

3. Green Bay (11-3, clinched playoff berth)

4. Philadelphia (8-7)

Wild Card

5. Seattle (11-4, clinched playoff berth)

6. Minnesota (10-4, clinched playoff berth)

In the Hunt

7. Dallas (7-8)

The Cardinals victory over the Seahawks in Seattle presents three opportunities for Green Bay to secure the No. 1 seed:

1. Packers beat Vikings On Monday Night Football
2. Packers beat Lions on Sunday
3. Seahawks beat 49ers on Sunday night

Regardless of Monday night, if San Francisco can beat Seattle next Sunday night on NBC, they’ll be the top seed in the NFC.

If the Seahawks beat the 49ers on Sunday night, Green Bay will be the top seed, and the Vikings could find themselves heading to Philadelphia.

We ranked the Birds potential opening-round opponents with the top team as the easiest Wild Card opponent and the third team presenting the most difficult challenge.

***

1. San Francisco 49ers

The NFC’s top team all season, we’re banking on an experienced team folding under the pressure and the weather that Lincoln Financial Field can offer. Jimmy Garoppolo has never started a playoff game and first-year playoff starters have about a 30% chance of being successful.

The 49ers defense is heralded, but they play into the Eagles strength on the offensive line and San Franciso has given up almost 40 points a game over the last three outings.

Both Seattle and San Francisco would also be traveling across country on a short week, and possibly have to play on Saturday night.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Vikings duo does something that hasn’t happened in 10 years

The last time this happened was 2009.

Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs hit the 1,000-yard mark after a 19-yard catch against the Chargers on Sunday.

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook hit the 1,000-yard mark on the ground earlier in the season.

In doing so, the Vikings now have a receiver and running back with 1,000 or more yards. Per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, it’s the first time that has happened since the 2009 season when Sidney Rice and Adrian Peterson did so.

5 Vikings players the Chargers must game-plan for in Week 15

Chargers Wire’s lays out five Vikings players the Chargers must game-plan for.

The Los Angeles Chargers face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15 of the 2019 regular season.

The Vikings, who are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, have five specific players that the Bolts must really hone in on in order to pull off the upset on Sunday.

With that, here are the group of Vikings players the Chargers must game-plan for:

QB Kirk Cousins

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

The Vikings may have found their long term at quarterback as Cousins is playing at an elite level this season. Cousins has completed 70% of his passes for 3,274 yards and 24 touchdowns. His passer rating of 112.0 ranks second in the NFL.

Cousins hasn’t been susceptible to making mistakes as he’s only thrown four interceptions. This means that the Chargers will have to force him into mistakes by putting him under duress with defensive end Joey Bosa, who’s coming off a two-sack performance, Melvin Ingram and safety Derwin James off the edge.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

4 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 15 opponent

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out four things to know about the Los Angeles Chargers opponent.

The Los Angeles Chargers (5-8) are set to take on the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday, Dec. 15 at 1:05 p.m. PT.

Here are four key things to know about the Week 15 matchup:

Kirk Cousins has been red hot

Since Week 5, Cousins has totaled an NFL-best passer rating of 120.0. He leads the league with 21 touchdown passes and ranks third with 2,539 passing yards and a completion percentage of 72%. Cousins also isn’t known for turning the ball over as much as he has only thrown four interceptions this season.

Adding to the arsenal

Cousins has managed to post the majority those numbers without one of the team’s best wideouts, Adam Thielen. Thielen has been hampered by a hamstring injury since Week 7, which has forced him to watch the majority of the action from the sidelines.

Now, likely to play this weekend, Thielen provides Cousins with an extra big play threat and a reliable option on third downs opposite of Stefon Diggs, who ranks No. 10 in the league with 997 receiving yards.

Can beat you on the ground

Not only can the Vikings beat you through the air, but they’re a proven team out of the backfield. Running back Dalvin Cook’s ranks No. 4 in the NFL with 1,108 rushing yards and is tied for first with 13 touchdowns on the ground.

Hunter is going to be ready to hunt

The Vikings’ defense isn’t anything to boast about, ranking in the middle of the pack in each category. But defensive end Danielle Hunter’s contributions have benefited immensely. Coming off a three-sack performance against the Lions last weekend, Hunter is now up to 12.5 sacks on the season. He became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 50 career sacks.

[lawrence-related id=31644,31642,31637,31628]