Vikings need to make Ty Chandler the lead back
The Minnesota Vikings cut Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook and then signed running back Alexander Mattison to a two-year, $7 million deal during the offseason with the idea that the latter would supplant the former as an effective lead back.Well, 14 games into the season, it's pretty clear Mattison isn't the answer.And it's even more clear that Ty […]
The Minnesota Vikings cut Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook and then signed running back Alexander Mattison to a two-year, $7 million deal during the offseason with the idea that the latter would supplant the former as an effective lead back.
Well, 14 games into the season, it's pretty clear Mattison isn't the answer.
And it's even more clear that Ty Chandler needs to be the main guy.
Chandler had a career day against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, finishing the game with 132-yards and a rushing touchdown on 23 carries. He could've had a second touchdown if he weren't tackled inside the one-yard line on his 30-yard run in the third quarter. He also added three receptions for 25-yards on four targets. Overall, he showed vision, speed, burst, power, and good hands.
In other words: He looked like a complete back and he's been getting better and better ever since his role started increasing back in Week 10.
"I think he had every carry but one from the running back position today," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters after the game. "… [He had a] great cut a couple times on some unblocked, crack force corners. [He] made a great cut on the long run to get us down there for the last touchdown. He's finding it, he's seeing it, [and] he's getting better and better. [He] had some really nice protection pickups on some of those play passes, as well. So huge, huge growth day for him and I look forward to keep him going and love where Ty Chandler's at, right now."
Chandler came into that game with just eight carries on the year. Since then, he's rushed 64 times for 293-yards and two touchdowns, while adding 11 receptions for 72-yards over the last five games. Those numbers include the totals from Saturday's loss, as well.
When healthy, Mattison has still logged the majority of offensive snaps during that span. His lowest totals, 45% against the New Orleans Saints and 32% against the Las Vegas Raiders, only came due to injury. The two games he was healthy saw him log 65% and 56% of offensive snaps, respectively.
That needs to change. Starting immediately in Week 16. Chandler is the better option and the more explosive option. He's starting to come into his own, as well. And that shouldn't be ignored. Especially now that each week means more than it ever has for the Vikings.
