Oct 9, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reacts after the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings moved on from Alexander Mattison this offseason because he struggled to get the job done as a lead back. They opted to sign veteran free agent Aaron Jones. For the most part, that has gone substantially better. The problem is that the end zone remains elusive.
Kevin O’Connell will never employ an offensive strategy that leans on the running game. He has sprinkled Jones and Cam Akers into the passing game to keep both involved. The running backs have shown an ability to generate yardage all over the field, but Jones has struggled to find paydirt when he is close to the end zone.
The Vikings’ offensive line has been relatively consistent. Although Christian Darrisaw is hurt and Cam Robinson now plays left tackle, the other names remain constant. A push from that front is necessary when closing in on the goal line, and they may need to do more if Jones is going to find success.
He has had exactly two rushing touchdowns each of the past three seasons. With the level of health and production otherwise, there is no reason for that reality to reenter Minnesota. Jones has found the end zone once on a pass, just like he did last season, but the ground opportunities need a better conversion rate.
As the Vikings get into the red zone and close in on touchdowns, they have to believe in their backs. Sam Darnold has forced some throws into congested areas while trying to convert for points, and that is somewhat a byproduct of the running game being non-existent with a smaller field.
Opposing defenses are more than aware they can stack the box against the Vikings when they have little to defend behind them. Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson can’t take the top off the defense in those spots, and Jones has to be able to convert.
The Vikings should be searching for answers to this, and turning it around down the stretch would be huge.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.