Westbrook Springs Loose, Cousins Effective All…

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings returned to the win column for the first time since mid-October, recording a 27-20 victory over the Chargers in Los Angeles.

Players savored their first “Victory” formation of 2021 thanks to aggressive decision-making by coaches and players as Minnesota improved to 4-5 on the season.

The Vikings were balanced on offense and kept a potent Chargers attack off-kilter. Special teams also turned in another strong day.

Here’s a deeper dive at some “next-day stats” with an eye on the ever-increasing number of Next Gen Stats. References to rankings across the league include all Week 10 games except for tonight’s game between the Rams and 49ers.

1. Going the distance and going for speed — again

Last week, we spotlighted the way kick returner Kene Nwangwu hit top gear on the longest NFL play of Week 9.

This week, punt returner Dede Westbrook sprung loose for a 45-yard return.

Westbrook recorded the fourth-fastest speed by any ball carrier across the league, reaching a max of 20.48 mph. The play involved Westbrook covering 81.1 total yards as he weaved his way through the crowd to find the open freeway. It was the second-longest play of Week 10.