The Vikings started out the season with an abysmal 1-5 record, but since then have bounced back to 6-6 and grabbed the No. 7 NFC Wild Card spot as they head into Tampa Bay this weekend to face the Buccaneers.
And a big chunk of that success rests on Adam Thielen's shoulders, according to pundits and fans alike.
"It's good to get a W, obviously, in a crazy game," Thielen said about last week's squeaker of a win. "Looking forward to going to Tampa now."
What's been the key to the resurgence? Staying patient, sticking together and grinding it out. "Stick with it and good things will happen when you don't point fingers or call out people. Stick with it, keep fighting and good things will happen," Thielen said.
He stayed customarily humble, but Thielen was heavily praised this week by a blog in zonecoverage.com that called him an all-time Vikings great.
"Thielen is faster than you think," the blogger wrote. "His hands and route-running abilities are upper-echelon by NFL standards. He’s got the clutch gene, showing an ability to make to big catch at the key moment: to wit, the over-the-shoulder, 43-yard bomb in overtime of last season’s playoff game against the New Orleans Saints that took the Vikings down to the 2-yard line and put them in position to score the game-winner. He’s also versatile enough to line up anywhere, an added value to an already impressive arsenal of talents."
Thielen has played 101 games, with 380 receptions, 5,036 yards, and 37 touchdowns. This season, even with a week of coronavirus quarantine, he leads the team with 12 touchdown receptions after scoring on a 3-yard catch from Kirk Cousins on Sunday.
"I've been here for eight years now, just trying to help in any way I can," Thielen said, adding it's "always fun" to play against Tom Brady.
