Before the season kicks off, I'll be taking a look at the Vikings' best offensive and defensive player each game and highlighting exactly why and how they had such a good game. For simplicity sake, I'll be choosing whoever PFF rated as the best player on each side of the ball that week. Right now that's the easiest way to do it, but I'm open to other suggestions like possibly a vote for the upcoming season.


Game 2 brought more of the same for the Vikings O. It was another mediocre performance, with the O only scoring 17 points. With that said, it was another spectacular showing from Stefon Diggs. Diggs really showcased his skillset this game, constantly torching the Packers DBs all over the field. He had 9 receptions for 182 yards and a TD. Six of those receptions were for first downs, two of them went for 40+ yards, and there’s even a 4th down conversion in there.

Here he runs a simple 5-yard hitch that turns into a 15-yard gain because of his ability to make two defenders miss.



Early in the second quarter, it’s 4th and 2 and the Vikings are looking for their go-to WR. Diggs motions across the formation which shows it is man coverage from the Packers DBs. The DB is playing with an inside alignment, so Diggs hits a jab step outside causing the DB to freeze up, allowing Diggs to cross his face and make the 4-yard reception.



On the first of his 40+ yards receptions, Diggs is being manned up and runs right by the DB and makes a catch falling down. Here he's displaying not only the necessary speed to be a downfield threat but also the ability to track the ball over his shoulder without slowing down. He makes the tough catch.



This is the type of grab he's capable of consistently making.



Here’s another short catch where Diggs showcases his ability to make a defender miss on his way to picking up a first down.



On the second of his two 40+ yards receptions, the LBs get sucked up on PA clearing the MOF and allowing Diggs to turn a 15-yard reception into 46.



Four plays later, it’s the play of the game. Diggs releases inside then cuts outside getting the CB to turn with him thinking it’s a fade route. But Diggs isn’t done yet, so he cuts back inside completely turning the CB inside out before making a great hands catch in the back of the end zone. Diggs extends to catch the ball and kept it as far away from his body as possible, preventing the DB from knocking it out. Oh ... and he does all of this through pass interference...




This last play wasn’t a catch, but it was another key play by Diggs. It’s 3rd and 6 with 1:40 left, and the Vikings are only up by three. Diggs is the only WR on the play and he’s singled up in man coverage. The Vikings run a PA pass and Bradford only has Diggs in his sights. Diggs runs a post route first releasing inside, he then shows some savvy by leaning into the CB's body before cutting back inside to create some extra space. This causes the CB to get way too grabby - hooking Diggs and committing pass interference, essentially icing the game.



This was probably the best game of Diggs' young career. The Packers played a lot of man and he absolutely torched them up and down the entire field. I know those DBs were having nightmares about him for days after this game. Diggs really displayed his ability to make guys miss, make great hands catches, and to rip off big plays showing us another glimpse of how deadly of a weapon he can be for our offense on all levels of the field.