Sherels' fumble shows things not going Vikes' way, and four other takeaways from Mark Craig

You know things aren't going the Vikings' way when punt returner Marcus Sherels, the team's most consistent performer, messes up and puts the ball on the ground. The Vikings defense had just orchestrated a three-and-out stop inside the Eagles 10-yard line. The score was 18-3 with about 12 minutes left. A weak 42-yard punt was dribbling upfield toward Sherels, who motioned for teammates to stay clear. Sherels suddenly grabbed the ball and gained a yard before fumbling the ball away. "I didn't change my mind; I [intended] to return it," Sherels said. The Eagles took advantage of the turnover, draining 5 ½ minutes of game time en route to a 21-yard field goal. And if that weren't bad enough, Sherels left the locker room with his right hand and wrist in a brace. He presumably was hurt on the fumble. Asked if the hand played a role in the fumble, he said: "It wasn't hurt. I just lost control of the ball and hurt my team."

The Vikings' return and coverage units — normally rock-solid strengths — had two major blunders that were responsible for 11 points during an 11-point road loss. Before Sherels' fumble, the kickoff coverage unit gave up a 98-yard touchdown return to Josh Huff while the Vikings led 3-0 in the second quarter. Huff ran through a wide gap between Sherels, who was the last defender on the left, and Charles Johnson, who was trapped inside on a nice block by tight end Brent Celek. Justin Trattou fell down in coverage, creating an even bigger hole. Huff made kicker Blair Walsh whiff at the 42-yard line and was gone for Philly's second kick return touchdown in two weeks. "We take a lot of pride in our special teams," Sherels said. "But today we hurt the team. That can't happen in Chicago next week."

3. Hillman struggles in debut

The last time Ronnie Hillman took a toss left in a Vikings game, he ran around end for a 72-yard touchdown as a member of the Denver Broncos. Needing a burst from their backs, the Vikings inserted Hillman midway through the second quarter. They tossed him the ball and he fell 78 yards short of that 72-yarder he had last year. A 6-yard loss would be Hillman's only carry in his Vikings debut after three games as a game-day inactive. But that wasn't his worst play: He whiffed on blitzing linebacker Mychal Kendricks on the strip-sack that led to an Eagles fumble recovery with the Vikings driving late in the first half. Kendricks rushed inside, while safety Rodney McLeod ran around left tackle Jake Long. McLeod got the sack, but Kendrickskept Sam Bradford from being able to slide forward in the pocket. "That was a miscommunication," said Hillman, presumably referring to him and Long.

The Vikings defense had the kind of game everyone expected it would against a rookie quarterback. Carson Wentz had 12 incompletions and just 16 completions. He threw two interceptions and posted a 52.4 passer rating, a season low by far. But the Vikings didn't sack him. Actually, couldn't sack him might be a better way of putting it. "Those guys watch film, too, and they saw what we've been doing to quarterbacks this year," cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. "Wentz did a great job getting the ball out quick on screens and short throws all day long." The Vikings sent more than four rushers on only six of Wentz's first 23 throws. Andrew Sendejo's interception came off a four-man rush, while Xavier Rhodes' pick came off a six-man rush. "They didn't want their main man [Wentz] getting hit today," Munnerlyn said.

5. Run defense leaks a little

For only the second time this season, the No. 5-ranked Vikings run defense surrendered more than 100 yards [101]. It wasn't a poor performance. The Eagles needed 26 carries and averaged just 3.9 yards. But running back Ryan Mathews took a simple inside run off left guard for 20 yards to set up a 35-yard field goal and an 11-3 deficit right before halftime. Wentz ran 6 yards on fourth-and-1. And the Eagles opened their first possession of the second half with four straight runs for 17 yards, setting up a 27-yard pass to Mathews during a nine-play, 77-yard touchdown drive.