PFF player grades: Top performers in Vikings win over 49ers

If the Minnesota Vikings didn’t get much attention after their win in Week 1 of the season, their performance against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday should do the trick.

After an impressive 23-17 win, the Vikings are 2-0 for the first time since 2016.

The defense was fantastic, the offense stepped up when needed most, even with injuries, and special teams also played a huge role.

Here are the top Vikings performers on both offense and defense against the 49ers, according to Pro Football Focus. For reference, a grade of 60.0 is considered average while those in the 30s are very poor and those in the 90s are elite.

Related: Vikings move to 2-0 with impressive 23-17 win over 49ers

Offense

• C Garrett Bradbury — 84.4
• RB Ty Chandler — 79.8
• WR Justin Jefferson — 79.8
• LT Christian Darrisaw — 78.1
• WR Jalen Nailor — 72.6
• QB Sam Darnold — 69.5
• WR Trent Sherfield Sr. — 68.4
• RT Brian O’Neill — 67.4
• WR Brandon Powell — 66.7
• TE Josh Oliver — 65.9

After an abysmal performance in Week 1, Bradbury bounced back in a big way. He gave up just one pressure on the day and was great — as was almost the entire Vikings offensive line — in the running game. He has his share of rough performances but credit where it’s due, he was great on Sunday.

Nailor also stepped up big with Addison out and Jefferson leaving late. He finished with three catches for 54 yards and a score.

And how about Chandler? Aaron Jones struggled in the running game much of the day, although he was active as a receiver, so Chandler led the way with 19 carries and 82 yards, a huge boost for the offense.

TE Johnny Mundt (48.0), RG Ed Ingram (51.9), Jones (53.0) and LG Blake Brandel (55.3) were the lowest-graded Vikings on offense. Brandel still didn’t give up any pressures after a great Week 1 showing but was penalized twice. Still, he was great in the run game while Jones had a team-high five catches. Jones and Mundt also got high marks for their pass blocking. Ingram gave up just one pressure but was again graded as the weak link in the O-line.

Defense

• ED Patrick Jones II — 88.6
• LB Blake Cashman — 80.9
• DT Taki Taimani — 77.8
• CB Shaquill Griffin — 69.0
• S Josh Metellus — 68.5
• ED Andrew Van Ginkel — 66.2
• ED Dallas Turner — 66.0
• CB Stephon Gilmore — 64.5
• S Harrison Smith — 63.0
• ED Jonathan Greenard — 61.8

Jones had three more pressures and two more sacks — he’s third in the NFL in sacks so far this season; Cashman had a historic stat line and is top-10 in the league in stops; Van Ginkel was a menace again, with three more pressures and a near-interception at the end.

Related: Vikings LB Blake Cashman puts together stat line not seen in 11 years

The lowest-graded group has a couple surprises based on the box score, showing the difference in stats vs. PFF’s evaluation. LB Ivan Pace Jr (30.6), DL Jonah Williams (39.5), DL Jonathan Bullard (47.2) and S Camryn Bynum (49.8) had the worst day, per PFF. Pace and Bynum were tied for second on the team in tackles (eight apiece) but had rough coverage days, giving up a combined six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Regardless of the numbers, this unit was really strong again and was a key reason the Vikings got a win on Sunday.