The Minnesota Vikings did not need their star running back Adrian Peterson against the Falcons.
He is on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list after being indicted by the Texas on child abuse charges for disciplining his 4-year child with a tree switch.
Jerick McKinnon, the former Georgia Southern star from Sprayberry High and Marietta, filled in admirably. He rushed for 135 yards on 18 carries to help power the Vikings to a 41-28 victory against the Falcons on Sunday.
“I definitely didn’t imagine it or think of it, but you know things worked out very well thanks to our offensive line and receivers,” McKinnon about his big NFL day. “Everyone was blocking really well and I was able to find some gaps and make some plays.”
With the score 14-7, the Falcons pinned the Vikings at their 8-yard after a Matt Bosher punt.
They didn’t stay there for long.
McKinnon burst up the middle of the Falcons’ defense for 55 yards. Cornerback Desmond Trufant stopped a touchdown as McKinnon tried to reverse in the open field. Vikings kicker Blair Walsh, the former Georgia standout, missed a 49-yard field goal, but the run game was clearly established.
He combined with Matt Asiata and quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Christian Ponder to amass 241 yards on 44 carries.
“Matt Asiata did really good early on punching yards and doing what he does,” McKinnon said. “He moved the ball forward and made people miss.”
Peterson played in the first game of the season, a victory against St. Louis. He didn’t play in the past two games as the offense scored just one touchdown. Against the Falcons, with a viable rushing attack, the Vikings score five touchdowns.
“After the two losses in a row, we really just challenged ourselves to get back on track and get a win,” McKinnon said. “Coming back here today to our home field and getting a win was definitely big.”
Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was happy to have the help from the rushing attack in his first NFL start.
“We knew that we had to be physical with Atlanta,” Bridgewater said. “They’re physical upfront and in the back. The guys just bought into the game plan and trusted one another that each guy was going to get the job done.”
Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer was happy for McKinnon, who was taken in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft.
“We’ve talked about trying to get him in the ball game some more,” Zimmer said. “He’s got a lot of explosiveness and we wanted to try to use some of his speed to the perimeter. He did a couple of really good inside runs, too.”
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