Post by Funkytown on Oct 3, 2023 9:27:07 GMT -6
Lots here that's a bit hard to believe.
Why the Vikings might actually be a more dangerous team than you’d think by Alec Lewis
Link:
theathletic.com/4923323/2023/10/03/vikings-advanced-statistics/
I guess this helps minimize some kicking woes:
Okay, I'm not a super huge fan of settling for field goals, but, in this case, if the alternative is turning the ball over, get Joseph out there! I'm ready to be hurt again. lol.
Why the Vikings might actually be a more dangerous team than you’d think by Alec Lewis
Time will tell if turnovers are a feature for these 2023 Vikings or just an early season bug. Regardless, it’s evident that the giveaways have blunted the potency of Minnesota’s offense. It’s not so much the points opposing teams are generating off of turnovers that are hampering Minnesota, but rather the points these turnovers are preventing the Vikings from scoring.
The numbers bear this out. The Vikings have allowed 30 points off their 11 turnovers this season, the fifth-highest total in the NFL. Conversely, Minnesota is averaging an NFL-best 5.1 points per drive when it does not turn the ball over on possessions that reach opponent territory. By that rationale, the Vikings’ seven deep-drive giveaways have cost them 35.7 points.
Even with the turnovers factored in, the Vikings offense ranks third in the NFL in yards per play (6.2), sixth in offensive success rate (45.7 percent) and second in explosive play rate (14.6 percent). All of these numbers are year-over-year improvements, and Minnesota has attained them without starting center Garrett Bradbury for all but seven snaps and without starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw in Week 2 against the Eagles.
It’s also fair to wonder whether this level of efficiency is just the tip of the iceberg. Two weeks ago, after having emphasized an improved rushing attack throughout the offseason, the Vikings staff showed the offensive linemen the team’s running metrics. At the time, Minnesota ranked 30th in yards per rush.
“It was pathetic to see that number,” Darrisaw said. “We kind of took that personally.”
The Vikings’ ground game has been markedly better in the last two weeks, partially because the Los Angeles Chargers and Panthers have deployed what O’Connell calls “the Justin Jefferson plan,” meaning a two-high safety structure with a light box. Still, proving that the Vikings can run effectively should help moving forward, especially if they can convert a larger chunk of third downs (their rate of 37.0 percent is 21st in the league).
“For this offense, a new set of downs is everything,” O’Connell said. “We can apply tempo. We can apply different personnel groupings. We can reset the stage of how we want to attack.”
His point aligns with the statistics. When the Vikings convert a first down, according to TruMedia, they are then more efficient on a play-to-play basis than any other team in the NFL on drives that do not end in a turnover.
The numbers bear this out. The Vikings have allowed 30 points off their 11 turnovers this season, the fifth-highest total in the NFL. Conversely, Minnesota is averaging an NFL-best 5.1 points per drive when it does not turn the ball over on possessions that reach opponent territory. By that rationale, the Vikings’ seven deep-drive giveaways have cost them 35.7 points.
Even with the turnovers factored in, the Vikings offense ranks third in the NFL in yards per play (6.2), sixth in offensive success rate (45.7 percent) and second in explosive play rate (14.6 percent). All of these numbers are year-over-year improvements, and Minnesota has attained them without starting center Garrett Bradbury for all but seven snaps and without starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw in Week 2 against the Eagles.
It’s also fair to wonder whether this level of efficiency is just the tip of the iceberg. Two weeks ago, after having emphasized an improved rushing attack throughout the offseason, the Vikings staff showed the offensive linemen the team’s running metrics. At the time, Minnesota ranked 30th in yards per rush.
“It was pathetic to see that number,” Darrisaw said. “We kind of took that personally.”
The Vikings’ ground game has been markedly better in the last two weeks, partially because the Los Angeles Chargers and Panthers have deployed what O’Connell calls “the Justin Jefferson plan,” meaning a two-high safety structure with a light box. Still, proving that the Vikings can run effectively should help moving forward, especially if they can convert a larger chunk of third downs (their rate of 37.0 percent is 21st in the league).
“For this offense, a new set of downs is everything,” O’Connell said. “We can apply tempo. We can apply different personnel groupings. We can reset the stage of how we want to attack.”
His point aligns with the statistics. When the Vikings convert a first down, according to TruMedia, they are then more efficient on a play-to-play basis than any other team in the NFL on drives that do not end in a turnover.
Link:
theathletic.com/4923323/2023/10/03/vikings-advanced-statistics/
I guess this helps minimize some kicking woes:
Okay, I'm not a super huge fan of settling for field goals, but, in this case, if the alternative is turning the ball over, get Joseph out there! I'm ready to be hurt again. lol.
... and neither is this Chris guy.