Jerick McKinnon

Vikings Snap Counts: The Diggs era is here

Published Sep. 20, 2016 11:00 a.m. ET

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Sam Bradford's first start was one for the record books.

The veteran had the most impressive debut of any quarterback in franchise history, throwing for 286 yards and two touchdowns.

Rather than leaning on running back Adrian Peterson to ease his new quarterback into action, offensive coordinator Norv Turner put Bradford to work and hit the Packers with a heavy dose of Stefon Diggs.

The second-year receiver racked up a whopping nine catches for 182 yards and now leads the NFL in receiving yards.

Head coach Mike Zimmer's defense forced four fumbles but snapped up just one, while Trae Waynes put the game away with a sizzling interception in the fourth quarter.

Check out the Vikings' offensive and defensive snap counts below, followed by observations from their big win:

GAME 2: PACKERS (OFFENSE)

GAME 2: PACKERS (DEFENSE)

NOTES

-- Adam Thielen's usage continues to climb. His usage was up 10 percent from last week (from 56 to 66 percent). A former undrafted free agent, Thielen matched last week's output of four catches on five targets, second most among Vikings receivers behind Diggs.

-- Diggs' usage stayed pretty consistent with Bradford under center. Through two games Diggs has been targeted a whopping 20 times, numbers that put him alongside top-flight receivers like Allen Robinson (20), A.J. Green (21) and Antonio Brown (22).

-- After underwhelming in Week 1, Charles Johnson saw his usage decline even further against the Packers. He was targeted just twice after picking up one reception on six targets against the Titans. He played on just 69 percent of the Vikings' offensive snaps on Sunday and had just two catches for 15 yards, figures that could prompt head coach Mike Zimmer to give rookie Laquon Treadwell (who had just two offensive snaps vs. Green Bay, although that was two more than in Week 1) a shot in his place soon.

-- Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata shared the backfield after Adrian Peterson was sidelined with a knee injury, splitting the remaining snaps evenly (12). Asiata had six carries to just two for McKinnon, while each back had one reception.

-- Rookie tight end David Morgan once again logged more time snaps than Rhett Ellison, who is coming off of a torn patellar tendon in the Vikings' last game against the Packers. Morgan stood out in training camp thanks to his run-blocking skills.

-- Waynes got the start at cornerback with Xavier Rhodes out, and had an up-and-down game. Aaron Rodgers picked on the second-year defender early and often, who spent much of the game matched up against fellow youngster Davonte Adams. After being hit with a pair of costly pass interference penalties, Waynes got his revenge on the Packers' final drive, picking off Rodgers with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

-- Mackensie Alexander got a few looks against Jordy Nelson in relief of Waynes and held up well after playing on just two snaps in Week 1.

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