Vikings 23, Green Bay 7
A. Just a great team win. You can point to so many phases of football today that made a difference. Our defense got a turnover going into the half, turnover coming out of the half and just a tremendous effort by so many people.
Great to see some success running the football. Great to spread the ball to a lot of different people in the pass game. Had success doing a few different things.
Thought our coaches put together a great plan, put us in a position to be successful, which is tremendous. Couple big fourth down stops by our defense as well that made a big difference.
So just a lot of people playing together, and it's encouraging to have a win like that at home to start the season.
Q. What did you see on the first touchdown to JJ? Because we've been talking about you letting it rip and you had a chance to do that there.
A. I think he was pretty open, so it was just good design. We were able to get him open there in the flat and then made for a great first touchdown. Good to start fast. I think that was important. Not having played in the preseason it was important to get out and start fast and get our home crowd involved. Really pleased with how we started.
Q. Were you surprised how open he was many times?
A. I would be a little surprised, yep. Whenever he has a game at that magnitude, not because of him, but you expect him to get taken way a little bit, and he will at times. Out coaches are trying to find ways to still keep him involved, and we were able to do that today.
So it's going to be kind of a conversation we had a lot last season, and we'll have this season each week of how does he get defended.
Q. What was the key you guys not playing the preseason but coming out and playing so fluidly in the first half?
A. No secret. No certain formula. Just letting our coaches have a good plan to start the game, put us in a position to be successful, and just executing. The plays are running together right now. I can't remember if we converted third downs or how we even got down there. It's all running together.
But I just know we started fast, and that helps at home week one to get your crowd going.
Q. Going for it on fourth down, fourth and one, what message does that send to players or message do players get from the fact that it was going for it rather than field goal?
A. I don't think there is a message being sent. I think it's just trying to make the best football decision to win the game based on what you know you're calling and the what matchups will be, and try to make a very calculated decision.
Q. Coach said he loved that call so much he didn't even bother challenging. Did you love it as much?
A. It's been a successful play for us in practice. You never know what practice will do in the game, but it worked for us in practice and worked today.
Q. Were there times that just with the way they were covering and getting after you that you had to extend plays and then maybe find Jefferson or other receivers breaking off their routes and adapting to what you were seeing out there?
A. Wasn't a lot of that today. It was probably more just need to move. Need to move and they stayed on their routes, and I needed to buy a tick to get away from somebody. I'm going to go back. I always try to be pretty critical of how you play better.
I think there are a few times I could have taken off and ran. I think I threw it away, but would've liked to - when I go back and watch the tape I'll see how many times could I push forward and just taken off and run. Even if it's only for a four-yard game, just keep the clock running, get a positive play.
So try to avoid sacks by throwing the ball away, which is a good thing. Sometimes you have to push forward, hit and try to get some yards.
Q. Kirk, you were asked about being MVP candidate, but the crowd was chanting MVP for Justin.
A. Yes, they were.
Q. So he is an MVP candidate?
A. If they made the decision after week one I would think he has to be in the conversation. There's a lot of weeks left, Chris. We're going to do this a lot more, you and me, come here and talk. You're probably going to have that seat right there in the front row. And, oh, my goodness.
I think back to week one when you're in weak 15, 16, 17, I mean, it's a distant memory. Win or lose you kind of treat them as stages of the Tour de France. You go back to emptying the binder and start filling the next binder with the next game plan and try to get the next one.
Q. When Justin has the pre-snap movement, what do you see that doing to the defense, if anything, before the play starts?
A. Didn't notice too much today. I think it does come down to each team, how they want to defend us or defend him. I think they did want to be aware of where he was, and then we want to be aware of how they're defending us and him.
Q. McConnell mentioned that 21 personnel, CJ Ham was going to be a big part of this week's game plan. What did he allow the offense to do in this game?
A. Well, I think the game, I'll have to go back and watch to give you a really good answer, but I just think what he does in the run game, paving the way for Dalvin and Alex, and his versatility, when you ask him to do other things than just lead block, he can do those things like catch the screen.
He's just sharp and very well-prepared and you can count on him. He's been that player for us. Very versatile and we ask a lot of him, and we will continue to do that.
Q. That 64-yard pass to Jefferson, was that an example of just buying a second stop and not keeping your eyes down the field and finding him there?
A. I think so. I think it's an example of that. I haven't watched the film. Yeah, I think I came out of the fake and felt like I needed to slide. Your eyes are downfield so your just kind of feeling it. You're not really knowing what's going on. Try to slide and find the soft spot in the pocket. You know the route hasn't declared yet, so you're thinking, 0I got a shot, there is grass, we will see what the safety and corner do as I move.
And then what's great about Justin, among other things, is when you put it out there he goes and gets it. He has a big catch radius and can bring it in.
Q. What was it like to be able to celebrate that first win with Coach? You don't get one first win, so what's that like?
A. Yeah, I think it's special to win at home week one, divisional opponent. It's a great start. You know, we have to just build on it.
Q. Did you give Coach the game ball or anything?
A. Yeah, I did. I gave both him and Kwesi game balls. Believe strongly that everything rises and falls on leadership, and those guys are our leaders. We got to go where they take us.
Q. How unsurprised were you by (indiscernible) Za'Darius just given what you've see in practice?
A. Yeah, I've played against Za'Darius. Played against him when I was in Washington. One coach said last year, he said, I would sell my soul for two great pass rushers, because as you've been around the league you just see when you have two guys that are really roll and they stay healthy, the difference it makes in your success level in this league is significant.
So every team is looking. If you don't feel you have one, you draft one. If it you have them, you try to keep them. It makes a difference.
Q. Have you ever presented a game ball to anybody in the locker room before?
A. I don't think so. I think as you get further in the league you kind of understand the drill maybe more than when I was younger.
Q. What made you decide to...
A. I don't know. Someone on the sideline brought it up to me so, I brought over to Mr Wilf, Zygi and just said, Hey you be okay if I present it to him? He said, Yep. Had the footballs ready and everything. I said, Oh, this isn't your first rodeo. You're on top of it.
They were there as well.
Q. Do you feel like you learned anything about Kevin today as a play caller, tempo or anything?
A. Yeah, I think having not played in the preseason, it was sort of an unknown for me of how is this going to flow. We did try to simulate it two separate occasions with a scrimmage here in the stadium a long time ago, a month ago and then a scrimmage at the practice facility and tried to simulate that the best we could.
I think that simulation worked based on how today felt. Didn't feel formed. Next week, that adds another element.
Q. There was a moment in the first half, I think you were on the bench with JJ and patting him on the back after a big play. Is that recognizing you two that things are clicking the way you wanted?
A. I just wanted to affirm him on what he's done since 2020, among other things, there is a specific trait that I think is special, and it's the ability to finish plays. I don't know if you remember he caught what I call a hanger out week three against the Titans 2020. He's got two guys still there to make a tackle and he runs by both of them and scores a touchdown. Might have been the first touchdown of his career. Made the point after that.
We said, JJ, a lot of guys get tackled on the 6 and we're not running out our red zone plays and hoping an praying we get in, but managed to kick a field goal. To just finish it there and don't leave it up for debate is big time.
I just said, once again, JJ, on that play today, a lot guys go out at the three or get to the one. I said the fact that you got in and got a six and don't have to mess around with bringing out the goal line offense, or whatever it may be, that's elite, and it makes a difference for our team winning football teams if we're making touchdowns and not kicking field goals.
So I said, I just want to affirm that, and that's one of the things that makes you a great football player.
Q. Za'Darius was talking about of course sacking Aaron Rodgers and how that felt. He also brought up the fact he had sacked you before.
A. Oh, yeah.
Q. Does he tease you about that?
A. Yeah, he always gives us fits. I remember the Monday night Game 2019, he gave us fits. And so it's different for me, but fun to have him in purple and on our team.
Q. So he doesn't razz you about it?
A. Hasn't been trash talking too much. He's had whatever it's been division title the last few years so he does have bragging rights. Great to have him on our side.
Q. Week win you guys are 1-0. You look really, really good. Does that give you kind of prove and the ceiling of team could be this year?
A. You know, it's where you want to be after week one. It's a good start. Just have to build on it and keep stacking them up and understanding that their each their own entity, and so we just got to keep going.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports