Purple Q&A: Panic Button, Dalton Risner Starting
Today, on October 21st, PurplePTSD’s Janik Eckardt answers a trio of questions about the Minnesota Vikings. If you have questions for future editions of the Purple Q&A, please email them to [email protected].
Purple Q&A: Panic Button, Dalton Risner Starting,
Let’s get right to it.
Q: While the record is still good, the trend has pointed in the wrong direction on both sides of the field. Should we be concerned?
A: A fascinating question, and surely both sides are understandable.
The Vikings are 5-1, still tied for the best record in the NFC North, but a loss against the Lions hurts the chances to win the division, especially considering they are 5-1, too.
Still, it should be remembered that Detroit is coming off a season in which they were a couple of bounces away from facing Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, and through the first six games of the season, they are just as good this year.
The Vikings lost to a dominant team by two points.
On the flip side, however, Brian Flores’ defense struggled badly after a remarkable first quarter, allowing a touchdown on four consecutive drives, and the Lions bullied their way to the game-winning field goal. Opposing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson seems to have Flores’ number, although Flores’ group made some plays in the fourth quarter.
Offensively, quarterback Sam Darnold had an average game overall, but he came up short on the two-point conversion, missed Justin Jefferson on third down late in the game, and threw the costly interception. On the other hand, the veteran QB made some excellent throws. He failed in clutch situations, but it was a much better performance than two weeks prior in London’s game against the Jets.
There are some things to clean up, especially unnecessary pre-snap penalties and the timing issues that lead to burnt timeouts, and Flores needs to go back to the drawing board to find a way to slow down the divisional opponent.
However, the Vikings are 5-1 despite possibly facing the hardest part of the schedule in the first six games, and the only loss was a two-point game against an exceptional team.
A bad showing on Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams could change things, but at this point, the panic button doesn’t need to be touched.
Q: Dalton Risner is about to return. Will he start?
A: Dalton Risner is a controversial figure among Vikings fans, especially considering his position. Guards rarely get that kind of attention.
The veteran guard was re-signed late in the offseason after failing to gain much traction in free agency for the second consecutive year. He came to the Twin Cities last year and replaced left guard Ezra Cleveland for the majority of the season.
This time, however, the Vikings decided to give the starting spot to longtime backup Blake Brandel. Risner had primarily been working with the second-team offense at right guard in training camp before a back injury forced him to watch from the sidelines. He was ultimately placed on IR, ruling him out for the first four games.
His practice window has been opened, and the Vikings will surely activate him and tight end T.J. Hockenson in the near future. Still, does he usurp either Ed Ingram at right guard or Brandel on the left side? Brandel hasn’t been perfect, but he gets the job done and should be safe.
The difference between Ingram and Risner isn’t really their quality; it’s more of a philosophical question. Ingram is a superior run-blocker and, quite frankly, has been strong in that area. Risner’s presence can boost the passing game.
Considering how much coaches typically value run blocking and that an efficient running game helps Darnold and his passing attack, Ingram will stick in the starting unit until he is completely falling apart and has a disastrous game.
Deadline Dormancy Recommended for Vikings
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt