The 10 Most Impactful Plays From Week 1
1. Eric Kendricks Steals the Show
Win Probability Added: +40.57
NEP: +10.95
Danielle Hunter wasn’t the only young Viking to make an impact on the other side of the ball in Week 1. Middle linebacker Eric Kendricks, the team’s second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, is renowned for his coverage skills. His speed and athleticism were what pushed his name to the top of many draft boards last year and are the primary reason he has taken over as the Minnesota defense’s hub.
On 2nd-and-3 in the third quarter, Tennessee was leading the hapless Vikings 10-6. They attempted a short screen pass to running back Derrick Henry. Defensive end Everson Griffen pressured Mariota into throwing short off his back foot, and Kendricks raced in between the rookie running back and the ball. With one hand and on the run, the speedy linebacker brought the pass in and took it to the house for Minnesota’s first lead of the day -- they wouldn’t relinquish that lead for the rest of the game.
