Minnesota Vikings Takeaways: Kevin O’Connell’s offense continues to leave us wanting more, while Brian Flores is insane
Simply put: the Minnesota Vikings are 6-0 with one of the more confusing teams in recent memory.
The Minnesota Vikings are 6-0, and that record is the only accurate way to describe them right now. Even so, beating the Indianapolis Colts still didn’t feel great. Those vibes matter more than usual because the Vikings are about to enter the toughest stretch of their schedule.
The conversation has to start with quarterback Kyler Murray. I’ve been a proponent of Murray and a defender of where things sit with him. I believe he’s good, and this offense can go places with him under center. However, it was always going to take time and chemistry to develop. That’s a tough sell for a quarterback with eight years of experience. You want a seamless fit right away. You want it to look like Sam Darnold in 2024.
It hasn’t worked out that way.
Kyler Murray still isn’t hunting explosives
Without having gotten to the All-22 tape yet, the biggest concern with Murray is his history. He’s never been a gunslinger, and he’s been cautious with the football throughout his career. Once I get to the All-22, the focus will be on how many receivers were streaking open down the field and where they were in the progression, which is something that I was told happened a few times by those who were in the stands. A wide-open receiver isn’t always available to the quarterback in the moment.
Even so, there were moments where Murray was calculated and aggressive:
- A missed touchdown opportunity to tight end T.J. Hockenson that Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt nearly intercepted.
- A Jordan Addison play at the end of the fourth quarter that came back on a Blake Brandel holding penalty.
- A couple of deep shots to Justin Jefferson and Addison, including one against a zero blitz.
Even with that context, Minnesota’s quarterback looked like a player trying to make completions rather than create big plays. When he was simply trying to complete passes, the chemistry looked off. A glance route RPO to Jefferson missed because Murray threw to the outside shoulder while Jefferson was breaking in. On a third-down curl route, the throw sailed outside Jefferson’s frame, right where the defender was sitting.
The Vikings are now four full starts into the Murray era. Coming out of the bye can leave an offense flat because players fall out of rhythm. I still believe things will get better and the aggressiveness will come with more comfort. It still felt like a step back from the Saints game.
Run game and play calling sequencing need work
The problems aren’t all on Murray. Minnesota averaged 4.7 yards per carry, but the run game never felt like it got off the ground. Running back Jordan Mason finished with 15 carries for 68 yards and a couple of nice runs. The pattern was seeing multiple 2-3 yard rushes followed by a 12-yarder rather than steady chunks. It adds up on paper, but it doesn’t feel like you’re moving the ball. On run plays against the Colts, the Vikings had an EPA/rush of -0.27
The Vikings have run the ball a lot without it being explosive or impactful. If ball control is the goal, they didn’t even win that battle. Minnesota held the ball for only 28 minutes and 10 seconds. Fans have been begging for an offensive line upgrade, but teams just don’t trade good offensive linemen during the season.
That brings us to head coach Kevin O’Connell. The offense managed just 4.9 yards per play when you want that number closer to 6. My concern with O’Connell isn’t that he can’t design or call a good play. Over the last couple of years, the offense hasn’t been able to sequence play after play to sustain drives. You see the flash plays and wonder why they can’t happen eight times in a row.
O’Connell isn’t giving up play calling. Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips has been in the building for all five years, and this isn’t a knock on him, but he won’t be taking over play calling duties. Still, it might be time for someone with fresh ideas. Something has to change, and that starts with admitting the current approach isn’t working.
Brian Flores’ defense is carrying Minnesota
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ unit didn’t start well, allowing a touchdown drive to open the game. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor broke a nice run but finished with just 95 yards.
The Vikings still allowed only 218 total yards. They sacked quarterback Daniel Jones four times for 44 yards and even forced a third-and-33 early in the second half. Flores also blitzed Jones a whopping 85.2% of the time per NextGenStats. That pressure resulted in safety Harrison Smith sealing the win with an interception.
Linebacker Blake Cashman is playing like an All-Pro, with multiple passes defended and multiple sacks. It wouldn’t shock me if he wins Defensive Player of the Week. Edge rusher Dallas Turner continues to be a wrecking ball, and defensive lineman Jalen Redmond does all the little things.
Indianapolis went 8-of-15 on third down and still managed just 10 points. It helped that its kicker missed two field goals, but the defense kept those attempts long. This group is healthy, playing tight, and the reason Minnesota sits at 6-0.
A 7-0 start is within reach. The real question is whether the offense can catch up to the defense before the schedule gets tougher.
