Down to 99 + 55 Problems
Rick Sosa
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The Minnesota Vikings saw several improvements in attitude, game preparation and execution especially on offense last Sunday at US Bank stadium (They even improved upon the BetQL’s NFL Over Under Picks). It was enough to make it for a competitive game against the Tennessee Titans. In the end some shortcomings still belonging to a team deemed to lose resulted in a one point loss.
DL woes somewhat improve
Yannick Ngakoue continues with his strong performances getting a strip sack on QB Ryan Tannehill. The very familiar AFC South suits him well. His teammates however continue to not produce a significant pass rush. Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jaleel Johnson have disappointed with their lack of pressure to the opponent QB.
Shamar Stephen did have his best game however his presence plugging the hole and stopping the run unfortunately isn’t at the level of Michael Pierce or Linval Joseph. RB Derrick Henry followed his own blue print carrying the ball with little success in the first half wearing down on the Vikings run defense. By the second half he was the dominant back that takes over a game.
OL looks good in run blocking but not pass protection
RB Dalvin Cook had a career day performance with 199 yards from scrimmage, 181 on the ground with an 8.2 average per carry. The Vikings OL as a group works real well in the running game in combination with Cook’s elusiveness. Pass blocking it is a different story. On the final key offensive series the interior line collapsed and QB Kirk Cousins was unable to escape the pressure from Jeffery Simmons sealing the game for Tennessee.
Justin Jefferson coming out party
Former LSU WR and first round draft choice Justin Jefferson showed that he is more than ready for the NFL. Finishing with 7 catches for 175 yards and a TD averaging 25 yards per catch, Jefferson had the best of veteran CB Malcolm Butler in most occasions. Memories of a rookie Randy Moss were present on every Viking fan.
0-3 Going Into Houston
Even after the loss the Vikings can feel better in comparison to the previous game at Indianapolis. Next is the also 0-3 Houston Texans looking for their own first win. QB Deshaun Watson will be motivated and a difficult foe to deal with. The Vikings are close and yet so far away to turn their season around. Pass rush and run stop are the two key improvement areas. Execution during crunch time is another opportunity to improve however not the main reason for their unexpected beginning of the season.