After Further Review is a deeper look at plays or stats after Vikings games …
The Vikings-Colts games didn't feature many plays that people with a purple perspective would like to revisit, but Minnesota did show a nice wrinkle for a 28-yard completion.
Sam Bradford connected with Kyle Rudolph on the first play of a drive that started at the 50-yard line thanks to a 40-yard kickoff return by Cordarrelle Patterson and a 15-yard penalty against the Colts.
Here's a look at that play:
Q2, 7:10 left; First-and-10 at midfield
Down by 17, the Vikings are trying to surge back into the game and get into scoring range.
They show heavy personnel with running back Adrian Peterson, fullback Zach Line and tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Rhett Ellison in the game. Adam Thielen is the only receiver, and he lines up to the left of the formation.
The Vikings implement a fake a handoff to Peterson, and the respect that the Colts are paying to the running back prompts linebackers Edwin Jackson and Antonio Morrison and safety Mike Adams to pause 4 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
Thielen runs a deep crossing route from left to right, and Rudolph crosses under the trio of Jackson, Morrison and Adams as Bradford buys time with a deep drop back and to the right.
Ellison blocks defensive end Hassan Ridgeway, and Line takes care of strongside linebacker Erik Walden, allowing Rudolph to make it to the Indianapolis 40-yard line by the time Bradford releases the ball.
Rudolph high points the pass that was perfectly placed by Bradford over Jackson and under cornerback Vontae Davis.
Former Vikings quarterback Rich Gannon was providing analysis for the CBS broadcast. Gannon said he liked multiple parts of the play.
"I love the play design. You fake the ball to Adrian Peterson, and that gets the attention of all of those linebackers," Gannon said. "Bradford makes a terrific throw down the middle of the field to his tight end Kyle Rudolph, and he stuck that between three defenders. Talk about Bradford's accuracy from the pocket."
The Vikings followed with their longest run of the day, a 13-yarder by Peterson, but he fumbled amidst a crowd at the 9-yard line, ending the promising drive.
