Skip to main content
Advertising

News | Minnesota Vikings – vikings.com

After Further Review: Adam Thielen's Pair of TD Scores

After Further Review is a deeper look at plays or stats after Vikings games …

Adam Thielen turned in a remarkable day for the Vikings on Saturday becoming the fifth Minnesota to ever have 200-plus receiving yards in a game.

Thielen recorded 12 receptions, matching his year-long total from 2014, and his first two-touchdown game.

More than a third of the yards came on a 71-yard touchdown pass from Sam Bradford.

Here's a look at it and Thielen's second score — an 8-yarder that nudged him past 200.

ThielenTD1a-122616.jpg

Q2, 7:35 left; Second-and-6 at the Minnesota 29:

The Vikings are trailing 21-6 midway through the second quarter and need a jolt. They have Thielen on the right side at receiver and Charles Johnson on the left side. They have Matt Asiata at running back and tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Rhett Ellison in the game.

The Vikings have Ellison off the line of scrimmage and use a little motion to help set up the misdirection for Bradford to fake a handoff to Asiata toward the left before bootlegging around to the right.

Ellison doubles back to block Julius Peppers and allow plenty of space for Bradford to keep the timing of the play on schedule. The timing allows Thielen to artfully set up a double move and break clear from Quinten Rollins, who tries to grab Thielen but is unable to slow him down.

Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix tries to come over but is late, and Clinton-Dix collides with Rollins, allowing Thielen to hit cruise control for the final 39 yards.

The completion is tied for the 23rd-longest pass play in franchise history.

ThielenTD2-122616.jpg

Q4, :40 left; Second-and-goal at the Green Bay 8:

The Vikings are in scramble mode late in the game. They place Thielen on the left side of the formation and have Stefon Diggs, Cordarrelle Patterson and Rudolph in a bunch formation.

The Packers rush three players and drop eight. This allows right tackle Jeremiah Sirles and Zac Kerin to double team Peppers and left guard Alex Boone and center Nick Easton to keep Kenny Clark away for a bit.

T.J. Clemmings deters Clay Matthews to allow Bradford to extend the play, by stepping to his right as Thielen gains separation from Damarious Randall and works his way across the back of the end zone.

Thielen's depth is approximately 9 yards behind a row of Packers defenders who are set up at the goal line, allowing more than enough of a window for Bradford, who gets hit by Clark just after releasing the ball.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.
Advertising