The Vikings’ Strategic Tweak in Week 11 that Needs to Become Permanent
For too long in 2024, Jordan Addison has been an afterthought. Not so in Week 11. The Vikings’ strategic tweak needs to become a permanent plan for the weekly offensive attack.
The No. 23 pick from the 2023 NFL Draft was a featured part of the offense. True, there were just 3 receptions, but he was the beneficiary of 8 targets from Sam Darnold. There’s value in forcing a team to respect someone with Addison’s game-changing speed, which is to say nothing of the plays that did get made. He finished his day with the 3 catches for 61 yards and a score.
Jordan Addison & The Vikings’ Strategic Change
In fairness, the offense boasts a ton of weapons. And, to be sure, Justin Jefferson always needs to get fed since he’s a historically-great option.
In Week 11, Jefferson had 8 targets turn into 6 receptions for 81 yards (13.5 yards-per-reception average). Not bad, but modest given the expectations that get attached to him. And then RB1 Aaron Jones demanded his touches, too, resulting in 15 carries for 39 yards alongside 1 target for 1 catch and 4 yards.
Otherwise, there were targets for T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Trent Sherfield, Brandon Powell, Jalen Nailor, Cam Akers, and Johnny Mundt. Again, lots of mouths to feed.
Featuring Mr. Addison, though, paid dividends. Check out his long score:
Classic Vikings football on this one. Darnold is working off of play action as he climbs the pocket in search of an open man. Josh Oliver and Aaron Jones are momentary blockers before moving up the field to become options as pass catches. Instead, Darnold hits Addison in stride on a beautiful route that allows #3 to do the rest of the work, running the ball into the end zone. Minnesota took the lead and didn’t look back.
The 8 targets are tied for a season-high. Previous post-bye weeks have involved 5 (Week 10), 5 (Week 9), 3 (Week 8), and 4 (Week 7). An explosive option, Addison is capable of turning short-to-intermediate passes into long gains. So, too, can he break free down the field as a shifty receiver who also does a nice job of using his top speed to create separation.
For the season, Jordan Addison has 24 catches for 359 yards and 3 scores. Making a more concerted effort to keep the 22-year-old playmaker involved will be part of the winning formula for a Vikings team that’s constantly facing ample defensive attention being shifted toward the WR1, Mr. Jefferson.
The next test will come against the division rival Chicago Bears, a team that boasts a strong defense. Jaylon Johnson, an excellent corner, seems likely to get put on Jefferson with regularity.
Turning to Jordan Addison for a heavier workload seems like a good option as Minnesota seeks to keep their three-game win streak going.
The Bears game takes place on Sunday, November 24th at Soldier Field. Kickoff is taking place at 12 p.m. CT.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.