Sitting at 3-1 on the season, the Minnesota Vikings head into week five feeling good about themselves despite showing struggles with consistency.
Over the first four games, we have gotten a good sense on where this team is and how they can improve moving forward. In understanding more about that direction, there are 10 stats that help identify that direction.
Kirk Cousins' big time throws: 5
The Vikings have talked about wanting to take a more aggressive approach on offense and it starts with Cousins. His five big-time throws on the season ranks 15th in the league per PFF with the top quarterbacks having eight in Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. His percentage of big-time throws sits at 3.0% and ranks 16th in the league.
Pressures per game: 14
While the numbers for both Hunter and Smith aren’t the highest in terms of sacks and pressures, the team is getting pressure on the quarterback. With 56 total pressures and 11 players who have registered one, it has been a team effort in getting to the quarterback but the top-tier players will need to start stepping up.
Point differential: +6
The Vikings team having a positive point differential is a good thing especially when you factor in the 24-7 blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Ideally, the Viking will expand this differential over the next two games heading into their bye week.
Sacks allowed: 7
The Vikings have been much-improved on the offensive line but there are still some warts that need to be worked out, especially on the interior. The Vikings have allowed 56 pressures on the season with 33 of them coming from the interior along with five of their seven sacks. They are continuing to gel and this percentage will only get better.
Christian Darrisaw sacks allowed: 0
The VIkings have seen a lot of inconsistencies on both sides of the ball but a positive point differential after a blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles is a net positive. Having it be this close will eventually come back to bite them as they don’t have the best track record in close games.
Drops: 8
The Vikings have not had the best luck with drops this season. The biggest culprit of drops is Justin Jefferson. His three drops is tied for fifth in the NFL and a drop percentage of 9.7% is a tad concerning but that could all change once the sample size grows.
Pass breakups: 12
The Vikings defense plays a relatively conservative approach but that hasn’t stopped the defense from batting down passes. Cameron Dantzler leads the team in pass breakups with four with Eric Kendricks and Patrick Peterson each having three. Taking advantage of those opportunities is huge.
Offensive holding penalties: 0
The Vikings offensive line has been a renaissance this season. The stats are slightly improved and even Garrett Bradbury is pass blocking better. The most important stat is that the Vikings have avoided any debilitating holding penalties, as they have accrued zero on the season.
IMPRESSIVE: The Minnesota #Vikings offensive line is the ONLY o-line in the NFL to not be penalized for offensive holding! 🙏💪🏈 #SKOL pic.twitter.com/gNynVubGEf
— SKOR North (@SKORNorth) October 5, 2022
Justin Jefferson targets: 40 5
As he should be, Jefferson is one of the most targeted receivers in the National Football League, ranking fifth behind the likes of Cooper Kupp. Getting Jefferson involved has been the catalyst to the Vikings offensive success and will continue to do so.
Kirk Cousins' average depth of target: 7.0 yards
Despite calls for the Viking offense to be more aggressive, including from the team itself, that hasn’t quite come to fruition. The passing game is the main factor, and there have been missed opportunities, especially on corner routes. Cousins’ aDOT is a major factor in that. At only 7.0 yards, he ranks 26th in the NFL. That’s not ideal with where this offense wants to be but it is only four games into the Kevin O’Connell era.
