The Vikings’ 39-22 comeback against the Packers had nearly everything: Kyler Murray’s early concussion, Carson Wentz’s three touchdown passes, a 22-10 deficit, 29 unanswered points and a defensive finish that buried Green Bay.
The PFF grades reflect that roller coaster. Minnesota had several players deliver elite performances, particularly Jefferson and its pass rush. The bottom of the list shows exactly why the game was ever in doubt, with the secondary struggling through Green Bay’s early explosion plays.
For this list, only players who logged at least 20 snaps are included and only grades on offense or defense, not special teams.
Best Vikings PFF grades from Week 1
1. Justin Jefferson — 90.3 overall grade
Jefferson was the best player on the field Sunday, and the numbers support it.
He caught eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns, earning an 89.9 receiving grade. After Murray left the game, Jefferson became Wentz’s most reliable answer. His first touchdown brought the Vikings back within striking distance, and his second made the final score look far more comfortable than the afternoon actually felt.
The Packers had plenty of success early, but they never found a way to keep Jefferson from becoming the game’s defining offensive player.
2. Dallas Turner — 89.5 overall grade
Turner’s long-awaited arrival was no illusion.
PFF gave him a 90.4 pass-rush grade, and he produced nine pressures: a sack, six quarterback hits and two hurries. Love spent much of the first three quarters answering Minnesota’s pressure with explosive completions, but Turner’s activity helped wear Green Bay down and set the stage for the fourth-quarter collapse.
If he can replicate that level of play, he’ll quickly enter award conversations.
3. Blake Cashman — 83.9 overall grade
Cashman delivered in the moments that mattered most.
He earned a 91.9 pass-rush grade and registered six pressures, including the late sack shared with Andrew Van Ginkel that forced Love’s fumble. Van Ginkel recovered the ball and returned it to the Packers’ 1-yard line, allowing Jordan Mason to push Minnesota’s lead to 10 points.
Cashman also allowed just one catch for seven yards on two targets in coverage. The Vikings’ defense gave up too many big plays, but Cashman played a major role in making sure it found a way to finish. He looked like an absolutely elite player.
4. Levi Drake Rodriguez — 81.9 overall grade
Levi Drake Rodriguez was one of the quieter heroes of the victory.
The interior defender played 34 snaps, generated three pressures and earned strong marks against both the run and the pass. His 76.5 run-defense grade was especially welcome for a Vikings front that needed more stability as the game tightened.
Rodriguez may not receive the attention Turner, Cashman or Jefferson gets after this game. The grades suggest he deserves more of it.
5. James Pierre — 78.3 overall grade
Pierre played only 23 snaps, but he made the biggest turnover play of the game.
Harrison Smith tipped Love’s pass at the line, and Pierre secured the interception that helped turn Minnesota’s comeback into a runaway win. PFF also credited Pierre with allowing no catches on two targets and recording a pass breakup.
Brought in to be the third corner, the first impression indicated that he’s just what the club needed.
Worst Vikings PFF grades from Week 1
1. Josh Metellus — 29.6 overall grade
Metellus played all 68 defensive snaps and endured the toughest afternoon of any Viking.
PFF charged him with four catches allowed on seven targets for 161 yards and a touchdown. He also allowed 101 yards after the catch. Those numbers should always be taken with a grain of salt, as PFF doesn’t always know the assignments, but it’s not far-fetched in this case.
Green Bay’s explosive passing game was not one player’s fault, especially against a defense built on moving pieces and shared responsibilities, but Metellus’ numbers show how damaging the breakdowns were.
His versatility remains essential to Flores’ system. Finding another answer at deep safety to unleash his Swiss Army Knife versatility could be a priority.
2. Eric Wilson — 29.6 overall grade
Wilson matched Metellus’ overall grade while playing 67 snaps.
His 27.3 coverage grade and two missed tackles hurt the Vikings, though the raw coverage production was less severe than Metellus’ line: three receptions allowed for 28 yards on six targets. The grade is a reminder that PFF evaluates the assignment and the rep, not only the final box-score result.
Wilson made some positive plays against the run and added pressure, but Minnesota’s underneath defense has plenty to correct this week. It’s not new that Wilson is best used as a rusher, not in coverage.
3. Theo Jackson — 36.6 overall grade
Jackson’s 43 snaps became more significant because Harrison Smith was still working on a limited load in his first game back.
PFF gave Jackson a 34.9 coverage grade after he allowed one reception for 23 yards on two targets. The Vikings had to lean on several safeties against a Packers passing game that tested them vertically all afternoon. Jackson was part of a secondary that never fully settled until the pass rush took over late. If the struggles continue, rookies Jakobe Thomas and Jacob Thomas, as well as Jay Ward could get more run.
4. Jauan Jennings — 46.4 overall grade
Jennings played 31 offensive snaps and received a 46.4 overall grade.
The Vikings did not need much from him after Murray left and Wentz entered the game. Jefferson and Hockenson became the primary answers in the passing game, while Minnesota eventually found ways to lean on the run game and its defense.
Still, Jennings is expected to be more than a peripheral piece in this offense. His Week 1 grade is a quiet indication that there is more to unlock.
5. Domonique Orange — 47.6 overall grade
Orange’s grade and his impact tell two different stories.
PFF did not view his 22 snaps as an especially strong overall performance. But its grading cannot erase the rookie’s fourth-and-1 stop on Love’s quarterback sneak. Green Bay could have gone up eight points with a field goal, then chose to go for the conversion after an offside penalty. Orange helped stuff Love and kept the deficit at five.
The Vikings scored on the next drive, took the lead and never looked back.
That is the limitation of any single-game grade. Orange still has work to do, but one snap changed the game.
PFF’s numbers show a Vikings team with elite stars, emerging pass-rush talent and some serious coverage concerns.
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