The Vikings’ offensive struggles continued, but so did the longest active win streak in the league. In the latest SKOL from the Sofa, Jonathan Pye takes a look back at another dominant defensive performance that just about got the Vikings over the line.
The Minnesota Vikings continue on their winning run, beating the Miami Dolphins 15–10 at US Bank Stadium. The Vikings have the longest active win streak in the league at nine games and are only the second team in the last 100 years to win two games in the first four weeks of the season without scoring an offensive touchdown (after the 1993 San Diego Chargers).
In the last three weeks, Will Reichard has scored 45 points, with six from the punt return team and six from the offense. Overall, Reichard has accounted for 49% of the team’s points scored this season. The problems are clear but if the last two drives are anything to go by, the offensive template is there for Kyler Murray being a success.
Were the Vikings lucky to win?
This was a game that felt closer than it should have been, but at the same time the margins were very slim. Had Miami receiver Chris Bell not run out of bounds and come back into the field of play, his touchdown would have remained on the board and the Dolphins would have taken a 7–3 lead early in the second quarter.
Ivan Pace was penalised for roughing the kicker, which would have given the Dolphins a new set of downs had replay assist not shown he got a fingertip deflection on the punt, negating any contact with the kicker.
Ollie Gordon was milliseconds away from having a second touchdown had it not been for Blake Cashman just getting a hand on him and touching him down. These are the kinds of moments that separate wins from losses in the NFL.
Dominant defense
Miami had the right idea against our defense to try and limit the amount of drop backs that Malik Willis was going to take in the game. He only threw the ball 22 times, and as the game went on, they were having more success running the ball.
Dallas Turner had another stellar performance with two sacks and a forced fumble. Kyle Van Noy has proved to be a savvy veteran signing, fitting perfectly into Flores’ unit. The most improved player for me is Isaiah Rodgers. He’s our best coverage guy, and is an excellent tackler; he doesn’t give up many extra yards trying to bring players down unlike his fellow corner Byron Murphy Jr.
A worry would be how poorly Harrison Smith performed today when exposed back at the deep safety position. His snaps need to be limited where possible to when he is on the defensive line blitzing.
Offense fails to take advantage of special team successes
In Myles Price, the Minnesota Vikings have the best return man in the league. Our first two drives started at our own 48 and the Miami 38. However, our putrid offense was only able to put up a combined 3 points up on those two drives.
The offense had six procedural penalties on Sunday, including four false starts, an illegal shift and an illegal motion. The operation improved as the game went on and the last two drives from Murray and co. are what the future should look more like in Operation Get Kyler Murray Settled.
The tight end has always been a safety net for Murray, having had star Trey McBride leading the receiving corps for the last four years of his time in Arizona. T. J. Hockenson had a performance against the Dolphins that rolled back the years, making 13 catches for 119 yards.
The most optimistic play of the game for the ceiling of the offense was the 27-yard strike from Murray to Addison on the last drive of the game. It was a completely in-rhythm throw and Addison did the rest. When the Vikings found their mojo and picked up the pace and used the screen game, having Aaron Jones run outside the tackles, the circumstances became more friendly for Murray.
Conclusions
Did Coach O’Connell not learn anything from last year? Why did the offensive adjustments take so long to be implemented? Murray is a gifted athlete. Why have we seen no designed runs this season?
Overall, as NFL analyst Sam Monson correctly pointed out on X after the game, how far the Vikings go will depend on how far the offense takes them, “Either 1) Murray and the pass game are the ceiling for this team; or 2) If they even VAGUELY figure it out, this team is VERY good.”
Will Reichard is going to get paid this offseason. He’s the best place kicker in the league by a county mile.
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