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Lunchbreak: Rudolph, Kendricks Recognized by PFF for Recent Play

A pair of Vikings have been recognized by the analytics website Pro Football Focus for their strong play — both in the most recent game and for the entire season.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph was named to PFF’s Week 10 Team of the Week after his impressive performance Sunday night in Dallas.

PFF writer Austin Gayle said Rudolph might not have been up the biggest numbers, but he made his catches count to record a PFF grade of 86.8.

Gayle wrote:

Rudolph caught only four passes for 14 yards, but two of his receptions went for scores. His best catch of the day was a one-handed snag at the back of the end zone for six points.

Rudolph also hauled in a clutch 2-point conversion that helped give the Vikings a 7-point lead against the Cowboys.

Rudolph now has 24 catches for 184 yards and four scores in 2019, with touchdowns in three of his past four games.

Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks also received a shout out from PFF, as he is Minnesota’s highest-graded player entering Week 11 of the 2019 season.

PFF noted that the fifth-year linebacker has been adept at helping the Vikings stop the run this season. Minnesota ranks seventh in the league by allowing just 91.2 rushing yards per game.

Kendricks leads all Vikings players in overall grade (90.6) and all qualifying NFL linebackers in run-defense grade (91.4) entering Week 11. He also ranks tied for second in total defensive stops when defending the run, with 24.

The 2015 second-round pick is also skilled at defending the pass, as he showed by his clutch deflection on a fourth-and-5 pass with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter against Dallas.

Kendricks doesn't have an interception yet in 2019, but he leads the Vikings with 11 pass breakups.

CBS Sports: Vikings Earn 'B' Grade for Sunday's win

Vikings players and coaches have shifted their focus to Sunday's home game against the Broncos.

Minnesota will look to get a win at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 11 before a well-deserved bye, followed by a five-game race to the playoffs.

But the Vikings enter Sunday's game with plenty of momentum following a big 28-24 win over the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Patrik Walker of CBS Sports gave the Vikings a ‘B’ grade for the game that improved Minnesota's record to 7-3.

Walker wrote:

It was a statement win for the Vikings, who beat a division-leader on their own field to keep pace with the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North. The reason they didn't land an A here is simple: they let the Cowboys back into the game. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead to start the game, the Cowboys scored 14 unanswered points to make it a game going into the half.

Ultimately, the Vikings were able to continue gashing the Dallas defense to stave off a loss, and they did it without Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen. Dalvin Cook had a field day in Dallas with 183 total yards, and now Minnesota is on to the next game with a smile on their face.

The Vikings currently sit in second place in the NFC North behind the 8-2 Packers. Minnesota would be the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs if the season ended today.

The Vikings are one of five teams in the conference with seven or more wins.

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