Vikings Takeaways: Jordan Addison Enters the Chat
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
… And exhale.
The Vikings gave all their fans a massive panic attack in that second half, allowing the Green Bay Packers to climb back into the game after leading 28-0 at the half. While they technically never trailed through the entirety of the game, there were tons of plays where it felt like the momentum was against them. After displaying ruthlessness against the Houston Texans last week, they couldn’t find the same gear to press their foot to the Packers’ throats.
While getting in and out of Green Bay relatively healthy and with a win is all that ultimately matters, this game left many fans unnerved with the ease at which the Packers were able to move the ball down the field in the second half. Though there definitely are things that the coaching staff will have to fix and correct in the future, they can feel good about getting to 4-0 by any means necessary.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
Jordan Addison Opens Up the Offense
This game also saw the return of Jordan Addison after he left in the opening half of Week 1. Immediately, we saw just how much his presence creates space for their other playmakers. One example was the first third down of the game, when Sam Darnold was able to hit Jalen Nailor on a crossing route for a gain of 32 yards. Kevin Harlan commented on this, noting that teams “can’t double everyone” on this offense. Addison capped off the first drive with a touchdown that was reminiscent of his score in Lambeau last year.
Darnold hit eight different receivers on his first eight completions, showing the toll of the attention the depleted Packers secondary had to give Addison. It also showed up later in the game, when the Vikings were spiraling, with the Packers within one score, they were able to hit Justin Jefferson — who was one-on-one — twice in stride to get into field goal range to extend the lead.
With Addison back, the Packers weren’t able to key in on Jefferson as much as they would have in years prior. While Addison being back is so instrumental, the idea of T.J. Hockenson coming back and being another force multiplier for the offense is even more exciting.
The Coaching Staff Trusts Sam to make the throws
Coming into the season, the question on most fans’ minds was when J.J. McCarthy would take the reins and become the team’s franchise quarterback. After his meniscus injury put him on the back burner for the season, the question became how much faith the team and coaches really had in Sam Darnold.
Well, we got the answer today, when the offense was sputtering and the Packers started to climb back into the game. It would have been incredibly easy for Kevin O’Connell to lean on the run game and try simply eating the clock. Despite this, even after two turnovers that were Darnold’s fault, the coaching staff trusted him to hit Jefferson on a 3rd-and-12 near the sideline.
It wasn’t the only amazing throw Darnold had that day — his hitting Jefferson in the chest on a perfect pass to extend the lead to 28-0 was arguably better. But no throw on this season could be a greater demonstration of the faith O’Connell and the team has in their quarterback than that sideline dart to Jefferson.
Byron Murphy Is the Weak Link
With how good the Vikings’ defense played the last couple of weeks, it has been hard to identify the real weak spots in the unit for teams to take advantage of. Today, the weak spot reared its ugly head, with Byron Murphy Jr. being Jordan Love’s favorite victim in coverage. Despite getting an interception and forcing a key fumble late, Murphy was victimized in coverage all day, allowing 133 yards on 11 catches while being targeted 14 times.
It isn’t like this has been a one off game. Since the start of the year, he has been the player that offenses look to pick on, allowing 64, 66, and 79 yards in coverage in the first three weeks, respectively. For reference to this, Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore have allowed just 232 yards between them, while Murphy has allowed 342 yards by himself. While the turnovers he forced late in the game were much needed, he was part of the problem as Love feasted on him all game.
While advocating for a shakeup in the cornerback room is premature, it may be something the coaching staff needs to look into in the near future.
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