By the numbers: Vikings beat Dolphins, 41-17

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins is sacked with the ball by Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings put together one of their most complete performances of the year on Sunday in a game they had to win.

The Vikings piled up 418 yards of total offense in 41-17 win to improve to 7-6-1 with two games left. The Vikings control their playoff destiny as long as they win, though the Chicago Bears clinched the NFC North Division title with their win over Green Bay.

Here’s a look at the win, by the numbers.

  • Balanced offense: The Vikings ran for 220 yards, led by Dalvin Cooks season-high 136 yards. Kirk Cousins threw for 215 yards in Kevin Stefanski’s debut as offensive coordinator. The balanced offensive attack kept the Miami Dolphins’ defense off balance all afternoon.
  • 9: The Vikings’ defense had nine sacks on the day from seven different players. Anthony Barr had and Danielle Hunter had two each, and Eric Kendricks, Mackensie Alexander, Everson Griffen, Sheldon Richardson and Tom Johnson all had one. The Vikings have 45 sacks on the season, the most by a Mike Zimmer defense, and have at least 40 sacks in four of the last five seasons.
  • 4: Mackensie Alexander got his fourth sack of the season. It’s the most by a defensive back since Robert Griffith in 1999.
  • 41: It’s the most points the Vikings have scored in a one game all season. They’ve only had two other games with at least 30 points all season.
  • 418: The 418 total net yards is the third-most the Vikings have gotten all season. Their 220 rushing yards is a season-high. It’s the sixth time they’ve been over 400 yards this year.
  • 5: The Vikings scored on their opening offensive drive for the fifth time this season.
  • 116: Marcus Sherels had five punt returns Sunday for 116 total yards, including a 69-yarder that he nearly returned for a touchdown. He came three yards short of his own franchise record.
  • 21: The Vikings had 21 first quarter points Sunday. They had scored seven total points in the first quarter since their Week 10 bye. They also had three first quarter touchdowns for first time since 2011.
  • 202: The Vikings had 202 total yards in first quarter, the first NFL team to do that in first quarter this year,
  • 90: Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen became the first NFL wide receiver duo with at least 90 catches each in a season.
  • 204: Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray combined for 204 yards, most by a Vikings’ RB duo since Dec. 27, 2015.
  • 2-for-2: Dan Bailey was 2-for-2 on field goals of 34 and 36 yards. He is a perfect 11-for-1 on field goals from 30 to 39 yards out this season. He was also 5-for-5 on extra points.

It was a dominating performance in all three phases in a game the Vikings had to win with playoff implications.