The Minnesota Vikings didn’t have the strongest group at running back going into the year but there was always a path forward in terms of development.
Alexander Matison entered the season as the top running back for the Vikings. The fifth-year running back had started six games in his tenure with the Vikings and averaged 79.5 YPG with three total touchdowns across those starts.
This season, he hasn’t been able to take a step forward and a high ankle sprain suffered against the Las Vegas Raiders opened up the door for second-year running back Ty Chandler.
Chandler, who happens to be slightly older than Mattison, was a very explosive player in college once he got the opportunity at North Carolina. The little things were what was holding him back. Poor vision on zone concepts and struggling to be consistent in pass blocking was part of the reason why the Vikings traded for Cam Akers in September.
Agaisnt the Cincinnati Bengals, Chandler got the opportunity to be the lead back and he took it by the horns and looked like the best player in the running back room. These seven plays highlight how well he played and why he should be the guy moving forward.
Reading wide zone
One of the issues with Chandler earlier this season was the lack of vision in zone concepts. He wasn’t seeing the holes and reacting quickly enough to make plays. It was one of the reasons why Chandler didn’t get more playing time earlier this season.
His most success has been on gap concepts where you follow the blockers and explode through the hole. On this play, Chandler saw the backside open up on wide zone and hit the hole with explosiveness. This is how you get on the field for more snaps.
Explosive burst
One trait that Chandler has over everyone else on the Vikings roster is burst. His 10-yard split was in the 99th percentile when he was drafted at 1.37 seconds. That shows up here. Once he sees the hole open up, Chandler explodes through the hole and gets a first down.
Explosive duo
Gap concepts are where Chandler shines. On this duo play, Chandler gets pressured right up the middle and bounces it frontside using elusiveness and speed to get the edge for a 30-yard gain. This is how you want your running back to see and attack in the running game.
Near touchdown
This inside-zone play continues to show the growth of Chandler. The offensive line gets a good push and Chandler has options with Christian Darrisaw having already climbed to the second level of the defense. He sees how the backside has opened up at the second level and breaks it for a 30-yard gain that nearly scores a touchdown.
Following blocks
When you have the kind of burst that Chandler does, you can get a little excited and just want to hit the hole with explosiveness. It takes finesse to utilize patience and wait for your blocks to develop. Chandler does just that here on the toss play. He stays patient, sidesteps defenders and
Swing pass
This play is really fun.
It happened in the first quarter and the Vikings had already successfully completed two quarterback sneaks. This play was the perfect setup to that. They motion C.J. Ham into the backfield making it look like a tush push. When the linebackers jump forward at the snap, the Vikings have them right where they want them.
Chandler doesn’t even bother faking play-action as he runs out to the right flat and he nearly scores on the swing pass. That’s the beauty of creative playcalling.
Touchdown
After nearly getting a touchdown on the prior play, Chandler finally gets into the end zone. This is a simple counter play to the far side. Johnny Mundt motions and Chandler finds the designed hole and gets into the end zone with some leg drive. A much deserved score for how much eh contributed on the drive.
