The Vikings shouldn't just give Anthony Barr the game ball in Sunday's victory for his direct impact on the winning touchdown. Instead, the congratulations to Barr should extend even further for changing the entire narrative of Monday's conversation. The dominant story line, and rightfully so, is the emerging playmaking ability of the rookie linebacker — and his role in a revamped defense that turned in another very good performance Sunday in spite of allowing another late regulation rally.

Without Barr's play — let's say the Vikings manage to lose that game 16-13 — the overwhelming discussion would be about the team's offensive futility, not the defensive breakthrough. While we saw a few good things on Sunday as the day progressed, let's not forget the Vikings scored a mere 3 points in the first half and just 13 (on offense) for the game against one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

The play-calling was often timid, Teddy Bridgewater's decisions were often safe but mild, and if not for that final drive in regulation to tie the game at 13, Minnesota would have lost and been held under 300 yards and 17 points for the sixth time this season. Indeed, if Bridgewater's gift-wrapped throw had been picked off in the final minute, the story line would be so much different.

We're not suggesting fans should be dwelling on all these negatives. It's nice to talk about something positive, and a victory fueled by a huge play by Barr certainly qualifies. But let's also not forget about the offensive deficiencies. There is a tendency to do that after victories (Gophers deficiencies, for instance, were glossed over after the Purdue win but came back to haunt again in the Illinois loss).

A softer schedule presents itself to the Vikings in the second half of the season, but it likely will mean nothing if the offense continues to sputter as it did Sunday.