One under-the-radar Minnesota Vikings player could be the difference-maker in getting a win vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After many claimed that T.J. Hockenson was washed last year due to a different role, he’s already proven his ability this season.
When the Minnesota Vikings take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon\, all eyes will be on Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
We are seeing the return of Kyler Murray to lead the offense, but that in itself leads to multiple questions. It’s the one main thing we don’t know about this Vikings team yet. Carson Wentz did a good job overall leading the unit, but the limitations that he has create certain challenges for O’Connell, and it’s very likely we haven’t seen the full potential of this unit.
Within the discussion about the offense, there is one intriguing element at play that hasn’t been discussed enough.
T.J. Hockenson is key to beating Buccaneers
Going into the offseason, there were many in the fanbase who thought tight end T.J. Hockenson was washed. His production shrank significantly last year, mainly because the Vikings changed his role. The offensive line was often injured last season, and Hockenson was asked to chip a significant number of times, which hindered any production he would have as a vertical threat.
The good news for the Vikings is that Hockenson showed in Week 1 that he wasn’t washed. Is he the elite tight end he was in 2022 and 2023? I don’t think so, and I think that was reflected in the pay cut Hockenson took going into this season.
With all that said, Hockenson could be the key to a victory over the Buccaneers. Let me explain.
Simply put: Todd Bowles loves to call single high coverage. According to Fantasy Points Data’s charting, Bowles has run single high coverage at a 70.8% clip, which is second-highest in the league. That in itself isn’t great when talking about how good both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are, but it opens the door for Hockenson. Seam routes are lethal against single high coverage.
Especially with the attention that Jefferson and Addison are going to get on the outside, the inside will be primed for attack with Hockenson. With the added element of Bowles playing man coverage at a heavy rate, there is one more aspect of the Buccaneers’ defense that makes a lot of sense for Hockenson: the linebacker position is rough.
Bowles already has a problem at linebacker with Alex Anzalone, who has a missed-tackle rate of 23.5% on the season, and a paltry PFF grade of 28.5 through two games. He looks somewhat lost on the field, and it’s not better with rookie starter Josiah Trotter having been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Pair the injuries with the man coverage percentage they are dealing with, and Hockenson looks better than ever. I don’t think they will want Christian Rozeboom and Sir’Vocea Dennis covering Hockenson on Y-choice, where he is lethal.
Hockenson isn’t the elite player we hoped he would be, but he’s ready for a resurgence, and it starts on Sunday.
