The 2020 Vikings: Potent Offense & Marginal D
Rick Sosa
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After 4 games in 2020, the Minnesota Vikings have finally found their identity on offense. With RB Dalvin Cook leading the way, Justin Jefferson exploding and Adam Thielen playing perhaps at his best of his career, the team has scored 30+ points in three occasions. Kirk Cousins didn’t turn the ball over for the first time this season proving efficient play and even calling his own number on a short fourth down conversion. Gary Kubiak has found the formula for success.
Defense looks better but needs more work
FILE – This Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019 file photo shows Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis. The Jaguars have agreed to send Ngakoue to the Minnesota Vikings for a second-round draft pick in 2021 and a conditional fifth-rounder in 2022, a person familiar with the trade said Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Yannick Ngakoue is as good as advertised. Arriving at the TCO only a month ago he is the most disruptive player on the Vikings defensive line with his uncanny ability to find the Quarterback’s arm as a pass rusher. Playing on a contract year and looking more settled with the organization, Ngakoue looks better every game. Other players like Ifeadi Odenigbo and DJ Wonnum will benefit from this as teams will begin to double team the star DE.
Eric Kendricks leads the NFL in tackles as he has been working on overdrive with the lack of run stop at the front. The Pro Bowl LB had another fantastic pass deflection on a key third down conversion for the Texans. With some concerns about his body lasting 16 games at this pace, he has established himself as a leader on this defense.
On the secondary rookies CB Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney also continue to look better every game as they settle in their roles. Conversely CB Holton Hill looks lost in some plays and continues to use his hands on the receiver past the 5 yard allowed. S Anthony Harris played his best game of the year at Houston having to cope with the ejection of future Hall of Fame S Harrison Smith.
OL
Image courtesy of Vikings.com
RB Dalvin Cook had another big day with 27 carries for 130 yards and 2 TD. The OL continues to work well with run blocking abusing a Texans defensive front that came into the game allowing 188 yards on the ground per game. The pass protection continues to be marginal however. The good news is the problem has been clearly identified. The right guard position has given up 18 pressures so far this season. The right tackle has given up twice as many pressures as the left tackle. Fix the right guard, problem fixed.
Justin Jefferson a star in the making
Jefferson continues his display of explosiveness as player who is able to run outside routes effectively with a natural ability to find the football. His staggering 21.8 YPC average illustrates sky is the limit for Jefferson if utilized correctly and with Kirk Cousins having more time to find him on the field.
1-3 Going Into Seattle
As it has become almost a tradition every year the Vikings travel to Seattle looking for their first victory against the Seahawks in 14 years at Century Link Field. Seattle has been struggling on defense this season winning games only thanks to the play of NFL MVP candidate Russell Wilson.
If the Vikings come out firing in all cylinders with a good game plan, they could score more than 30 points again. Question is can the Minnesota defense hold Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense to less than that. We will find out Sunday night.