Atlanta marched down the field on the game’s opening drive Sunday night on the strength of Bijan Robinson’s legs for an early field goal to claim a 3-0 lead in Minneapolis.
That was a theme of the night for the Falcons, who converted five field goals off the leg of John Parker Romo. Atlanta’s first touchdown didn’t come until fewer than four minutes remained in the Falcons’ 22-6 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium.
But where exactly did the bulk of those kicks come from?
The second Atlanta field goal came after Minnesota turned the ball over on downs on its first offensive series at its own 36-yard line after four plays following a rough exchange between quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the center on a 4th-and-1 quarterback sneak attempt.
The third Atlanta field goal came late in the first half after the Falcons took over on the Vikings’ 38-yard line when McCarthy threw an interception. The fifth Atlanta field goal came after McCarthy fumbled as he was sacked on a hit he had every opportunity for which to brace himself.
All this is to say: Don’t pin Sunday night’s failure on the Vikings defense. Brian Flores’ unit was, again, brilliant.
The lone touchdown Minnesota surrendered came late in the fourth quarter, when the Vikings opted to allow a touchdown in an attempt to preserve clock while remaining down just two scores. By the end of that Atlanta drive, the Falcons’ had held possession for 20 minutes, 11 seconds of the second half, compared to just 6 minutes, 27 seconds for Minnesota.
The defense was gassed.
Outside of that drive, Minnesota surrendered just 243 yards of offense all evening. That comes after it allowed just 238 yards to the Bears prior to garbage time in Week 1.
Flores’ defense is really, really good.
It’s on the Vikings’ offense to stop putting the defense in such difficult positions.
Kevin O’Connell is an offense coach and a guru on that end of the field. But through two weeks, Minnesota has played approximately one good quarter of offensive football. The defense currently stands as the team’s best unit by a wide margin. It may be time to start leaning into that.
Yes, Minnesota is currently down Jordan Addison. And the offensive line hits keep coming with left tackle Christian Darrisaw missing his second game and center Ryan Kelly leaving Sunday’s game early. Even Darrisaw’s replacement, Justin Skule, left the game. Aaron Jones left Sunday’s bout, as well.
That, along with McCarthy’s inexperience, all suggests O’Connell and Co. may be wise to lean into a conversative, ground-and-pound approach for the time being.
Because opposing offenses simply aren’t moving the ball against Minnesota. And the points that are being scored against the Vikings are too often a product of offensive ineptitude. You know why McCarthy had to be so heroic in Chicago? Because he himself gave the Bears seven free points.
There’s no shame in putting a governor on the offense when you have a great defense and a young quarterback. It worked out quite well for the 2001 New England Patriots. Tom Brady threw for 145 yards in that Super Bowl upset of the Rams. But you know what perhaps the great quarterback of all time didn’t do that night? Turn the ball over.
Minnesota figures to be favored in each of its next three games. Next week, it hosts a Bengals’ team that will be without injured quarterback Joe Burrow. Then the Vikings face the Browns and Steelers overseas before the bye week.
Flores, Jonathan Greenard and Co. can lead Minnesota to a 4-1 record before it has time to regroup, grow and, ideally, ascend.
The offense’s job until then? Stay out of the way.
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