For the Minnesota Vikings, what a difference a year makes. One year ago, at this point in the season, they were 4-1, atop the NFC North standings. And they were winning all of their close games mainly due to their scoring-machine offense.
This year, the team is 1-4, in last place in the division, and losing their close contests. How did a team that was 13-4 last year find themselves in this predicament? Let’s explore three reasons why they have suffered a digression this season.
Turnovers
The most obvious difference between the two Vikings teams is their turnover ratios. Last year at this time, the team was a +1 in their turnover ratio. In layman’s terms, this means their opponents turned the ball over one more time than the Vikings did. This year, their turnover ratio is -8. Too many aborted drives and miscues on their own end of the field have led to a disastrous situation.
Sacks
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins (8) – Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Vikings have more sacks so far in the 2023 season than in 2022 (13-11). But Kirk Cousins has also been sacked 13 times in 2023. Comparatively, the Vikings offense line had only surrendered eight sacks in the first five games of 2022.
The pass rush has certainly improved this year with a healthy Danielle Hunter who is tied for the league lead in sacks. Conversely though, while the offensive line has improved in some areas this year, they still have sprung some leaks in their interior pass blocking. And Cousins’ grip on the football has also been looser this year.
Slow Starts
Vikings RB Alexander Mattison (2) – Stacy Bengs/AP Photo
Much has been said about the Vikings’ inability to score in the first quarter this season. They have scored a dismal 3 points in the opening stanza in five games. A further analysis shows that their ability to score in the entire first half pales in comparison to their 2022 numbers. The Purple scored 72 first-half points in their first five games of last season. To date in 2023, they have only scored 47 points.
The aforementioned turnovers are a huge reason that their first-half point totals have shrunk since last season. Also, a lack of a consistent ground attack in the first few games contributed to the downturn. Alexander Mattison and the offensive line have improved in this area, but it remains a concern. And some questionable play-calling from coach Kevin O’Connell has also stymied the Vikings’ ability to stay on the field.
The Minnesota Vikings are approaching a very challenging stretch of their season. They face a Chicago Bears team in Chicago that has come to life due to the inspiring play of quarterback Justin Fields. They then return home to play the best team in football, the 5-0 San Francisco 49ers. And they end the month playing the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. That is never an easy place to play under the best of circumstances.
Vikings Hope to Right the Ship
And they will try to right ship without the services of star receiver Justin Jefferson. He suffered a hamstring injury in the 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. He has been placed on the Injured List and will be out of action for at least four weeks.
And this puts even more pressure on the Vikings to correct some of the issues that have plagued them since the start of the season. Their window for making the playoffs is closing quickly and it will take a herculean effort on their part to reverse course. If they do not, you will see some veteran players traded in an effort to build up the Vikings’ draft stock.
