Vikings' offense continues to be explosive and does a great job finding hidden yards
You could make an argument that the Minnesota Vikings have the most explosive offense in the National Football League Quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball down the field at a very high level. It's slowed down the last two weeks in facing two very good defenses in the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. Despite dropping […]
You could make an argument that the Minnesota Vikings have the most explosive offense in the National Football League
Quarterback Sam Darnold throws the ball down the field at a very high level. It's slowed down the last two weeks in facing two very good defenses in the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.
Despite dropping down to 10th in most throws 20+ yards down the field, Darnold has the most completions (29) and yards (1,035) and is second in completion percentage (50.9%).
The downfield shots are a huge part of what the Vikings like to do and Darnold has done a great job attacking downfield.
Vikings getting hidden yardage with deep passes
It's not just about the deep passes that hit, it's also about ones that don't connect due to penalties.
Through the Vikings' first 15 games, they have done a great job getting yards on pass interference penalties, including two of the top three wide receivers in drawing said penalties.
A couple questions about Justin Jefferson, and yes, he’s the main reason Darnold has so much DPI yardage. But not the only one! Most DPI yards by WR Noah Brown 6/158 Jefferson 8/154 Addison 3/113 Mooney 6/110 Lockett 5/74
— Aaron Schatz (@aschatz.bsky.social) December 23, 2024 at 8:56 AM
That's an impressive feat, but it's also an important element of generating explosive plays. You aren't always going to hit them, but between Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, generating 267 yards on 11 pass interference penalties.
Attacking down the field makes a big difference in how defenses will play you. It will open certain things up for the offense, including the running game. Being able to generate that kind of yardage over the course of the season. Pass interference penalties are often just as good as getting a deep completion because they often put the offense deep in enemy territory.
Whether it be the 29 20+ yard completions or the 11 pass interference calls, the Vikings will take them all.
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