Dissecting Dallas Turner’s 1st Sack as a Viking

NFL: Minnesota Vikings Training Camp
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Ideally, the first of many.

In his opening game in the NFL (albeit a preseason one), Dallas Turner picked up a sack for the Vikings. The major play arrived at a major moment, too, since Las Vegas was deep in the red zone. On 3rd & goal from the 3, Turner beat the left tackle before finishing things off with a sack on Aidan O’Connell.

Dissecting Dallas Turner’s Sack

Before going too far, the play in question. Take a look:

First off, note who isn’t on the field. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel are going to be leaned on to provide a lot of the pass rushing prowess, but they’re not out there to soak up attention. Instead, it’s a four-man rush where Turner is the greatest threat.

Aug 3, 2024; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) warms up during practice at Vikings training camp in Eagan, MN. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Even still, the young edge rusher is left to battle the tackle one-on-one. That ended up being a bad decision for the Raiders.

If memory serves, the game broadcast made the point that Turner wasn’t going against an unestablished rookie. Rather, the tackle was Andrus Peat, someone who has been in the NFL for a little while. Peat stands at 6’7″ and was a 1st-Round selection back in 2015. He has since picked up work in 111 NFL games with 102 starts.

So, Peat is no joke. The man has been to three Pro Bowls and yet he wasn’t a match for Turner in this particular moment.

NFL: NFL Draft
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner poses after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There needs to be a mention of the work being done in the secondary. If a receiver had sprung loose immediately, then maybe Turner doesn’t have the extra second he needs to get home for the sack. Look to the right side of the field, just like O’Connell. The Vikings’ defensive backfield is making a mess of the Raiders’ routes, clogging up throwing lanes. The end result is a QB who needs to hold onto the football for just a beat longer.

As so many have pointed out, Dallas Turner finds success largely due to his length and speed. The killer combo worked in this moment as he rips underneath the mitts of the OT.

But then look at the finish. Turner isn’t inexperienced in the backfield. There’s no panic, only poise. He hunts down the quarterback and shoots his long arms around the passer. Truth be told, that could have easily been a forced fumble. O’Connell does a nice job of securing the ball so that the Raiders can still pickup a field goal.

NFL: NFL Draft
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Dallas Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner is selected as the No. 17 pick by the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, Minnesota was pleased to keep the full seven points off the board. Dallas Turner’s play forced former Vikings kicker Daniel Carlson onto the field for the triple.

Turner is only 21.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.


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 and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.