Jalen Milroe was beyond impressive in week 1. He moved the ball up and down the field with his arm and his legs, answering questions quickly on whether he was the right guy to draft. Milroe finished with 449 passing yards and 6 passing touchdowns along with 61 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground. He finished the game turnover free, which for now answers a big question that he had coming out of college, whether he was going to take care of the ball or not. Milroe said in an interview after the game, “I heard everyone talking, saying they should have drafted this guy or that guy, but I knew and the Minnesota Vikings organization knew that I was the right choice.” The Vikings coach also had tremendous praise for the young quarter back, “He provides so much to this offense. Whether he is extending passing plays, calling his own number on run plays, or standing in the pocket and delivering the ball down the field. He leaves defensive coordinators guessing on what to do to stop him and you saw the same thing in college. I’m so proud of the kid, he is a hard worker and a great leader and deserves every thing that he accomplished today.”
Milroe was not the only rookie to make an impact in his first game though, Tetairoa McMillian the first year receiver out of Arizona finished the game with 8 receptions for 136 yards and 1 touchdown. McMillian’s touchdown reception was a 75 yard reception, where he showed that even with 6’5″ frame he still has breakaway speed. The Vikings defense was on point today too, minus a couple of chunk plays to Jameson Williams. With 3 takeaways the Vikings defense was able to put their offense in good situations when it comes to field position. Andrew Booth, my high school teammate, was able to come down with an interception in single coverage, and the old veteran Deion Jones was able to turn back the clock today with an interception of his own. Lewis Cine was also able to force a fumble that was also recovered by the veteran Deion Jones. The only sack of the game belonged to Chop Robinson, the second year defensive lineman that Vikings coaches ranted and raved about all preseason. An early season division win does not win you your division, but it certainly does not hurt to get one on a division rival in the first game of the season.
Coming up on the schedule the Vikings will go to Atlanta to face off against Trey Lance and the Uber talented Falcons offense. They have weapons such as Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Michael Gallup that will be handfuls for the Vikings defense. The Vikings coach had high praise for the Falcons coach and players, stating that this game will be a good test to see just how this season might go for the Vikings.