Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings kick off their regular season on Sunday against the New York Giants. Kevin O’Connell may need his best version of coaching to get this team over the hump. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but three are a few things to focus on.
If the Minnesota Vikings are going to exceed expectations this season, it will be because plenty of things go right. O’Connell has a team that no one believes in, but that may be just what they need to thrive. There are more than a few key things to watch this weekend, but this is where my attention is focused.
This should be straightforward. How Darnold fares in the first game with his new team can set the tone for the rest of the season. Minnesota needs him to get on a roll and kick off this season on a strong note. New York presents a soft landing spot for Darnold and the Vikings, but that only matters if they capitalize on it.
We haven’t seen the full depth of O’Connell’s offense through the preseason, and Darnold’s exposure was incredibly limited. How he looks with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and the rest of his offensive weapons remains to be seen. A statement performance will definitely turn some heads.
Brian Flores got a massive boost at the cornerback position when Stephon Gilmore decided to sign with the Vikings. That addition changes the group as a whole, and the depth now becomes substantially more quality. How much can Gilmore contribute, and does his presence help take pressure off Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin?
If the cornerbacks can force Daniel Jones to hold the football a bit longer, then the revamped pass rush should find ample opportunity. Flores will bring plenty of pressure, but the group must get home to make it work.
Last year Alexander Mattison was a complete flop. He came out of the gate with just 34 yards on 11 carries. The Vikings turned the running back position over to Aaron Jones, who has talked about feeling the best he ever has. There is plenty of chatter about his contributions, but we’ll get our first look at the new back.
Jones has shown strong ability when healthy over the course of his career. How does O’Connell use him, and how often is he seen in the game plan? Does Ty Chandler take many touches away, and can Jones contribute in the passing game as well?
We are close to kicking it off, and the Vikings can make all the doubters look silly.
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 weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.