An NFL analyst had a strong takeaway about the Minnesota Vikings following their Week 4 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe talked about one area in which she would like to see the team improve, doing so in a column on Monday morning.
The Vikings are fresh off a 15-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins. This was a game that had a little bit of everything for the team. The team recorded 213 passing yards thanks to Kyler Murray and was able to get it done on the ground as well. Aaron Jones had 20 carries for 94 yards, while Murray added six carries for 16 yards.
Defensively, the Vikings were able to hold their own once again. They stifled the Dolphins’ offense and were able to continue making big plays in the process. They recorded 44 total tackles, two quarterback sacks, and three quarterback hits on the day. It was another strong day for a defense that continues to play at a high level.
A Major Concern For The Vikings (And Kyler Murray
However, Howe has one specific worry about the Vikings in particular, as the playoffs are beginning to become a realistic goal. He broke it down in his piece.
“I expect the Vikings to be a playoff factor because their defense doesn’t seem to slump, but they need more out of the offense to be a real NFC contender. At some point, quarterback Kyler Murray is going to have to match points with some better teams, and they’re going to encounter a gantlet of superior offenses in November. “
Kyler Murray has been more of a stabilizing quarterback for the Vikings so far this season. He has 433 passing yards, which ranks him 29th in the NFL. His one touchdown is good for 28th in the league, while his two interceptions are tied for the seventh-most in the league. Perhaps even a bit more jarring is his quarterback rating. It stands at 27.5, which ranks 30th in the NFL.
To be fair, Murray’s best game came on Sunday against the Dolphins. He went 13-of-14 in the fourth quarter and was able to connect with tight end TJ Hockenson on multiple occasions. The latter had 13 receptions for 119 yards in what was an impressive performance. It was clear that both players were in a rhythm and found each other often. On top of this, Murray indicated the Vikings’ offense was just getting started.
Vikings Defense Has Stepped Up
The defense has been one of the best units in football this season. The unit ranks first in the league in red zone defense touchdown rate, opponent passer rating, and sacks. The 14 sacks in particular demonstrate how disruptive they are to the quarterback. They have allowed only 13.7 points per game and a 56.2% opponent passer rating. They have carried the team on days when the offense has struggled, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores has been aggressive.
The offense could still be considered a concern. That being said, it looked better on Sunday. It will be interesting to see if the unit can put together more games as they did against the Dolphins. If they can, this team could be peaking at the right time.
Vikings Face Major Concern Despite Playoff Backing From Insider