The Vikings Received a Surprise Boost Up Front
In Week 3, the Minnesota Vikings decisively defeated the then-unbeaten Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 48-10. Along the way, the team’s offensive line markedly improved by the numbers, a surprising perk in a game when Minnesota desperately needed a turnaround performance.
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, and a neat factoid emerged from the 48-10 spanking.
Suddenly, Kevin O’Connell’s team now features one of the league’s best sets of trenches, which was the plan from the very start of the offseason.
Offensive Line Performance for Vikings on the Rise
The numbers were kind to Minnesota after a Week 3 beatdown of Zac Taylor’s team.
Vikings Soar in PFF’s Offensive Line Rankings
Heading into Week 3, Minnesota showcased the NFL’s 15th-ranked offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus. Yet, after the win over Cincinnati, the unit climbed seven spots and is now situated at eighth-best, a sweet ascent after one game.
PFF’s Zoltan Buday explained, “Minnesota’s offensive line bounced back nicely and fared well in pass protection in Week 3 against Cincinnati. The unit surrendered six pressures — including just one sack — on 30 pass plays. The resulting 88.3 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating tied for ninth this week.”
“Center Michael Jurgens, playing in place of the injured Ryan Kelly, has earned a negative grade on just 5.4% of run plays this season — the third-best rate among centers. Best player: Christian Darrisaw. Minnesota’s left tackle returned to action in Week 3 and played 38 snaps. He earned a 64.9 PFF overall grade in the Vikings’ resounding win over the Bengals.”
Mid-tier and mediocre to Top 8 in a single week.
Christian Darrisaw Is Back
So, what changed? Easy — the team’s second-best player is back. His name is Christian Darrisaw.
The franchise cornerstone left tackle tore his ACL last October in a game at the Los Angeles Rams and didn’t return until last weekend. Upon his arrival, the team’s offensive line fired off its best performance of the season and perhaps since he left the lineup 11 months prior.
It really can be that simple: Darrisaw is a tone-setter in the trenches.
Close to Whole
In March and April, the Vikings said goodbye to center Garrett Bradbury, and guards Dalton Risner and Ed Ingram. The trio was shipped out or not re-signed.
In return, Minnesota signed center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries from free agency, in addition to drafting Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson, a guard, in Round 1 six weeks later. The Vikings finally put their foot down and improved the offensive trenches after years of fans requesting improvement.
It’s just that the new fivesome hasn’t played together yet.
A Waiting Game Until the 5 Starters Get Together
Indeed, O’Connell’s offensive line ranks eighth per PFF through three games, but he hasn’t even trotted out his death lineup yet.
With Darrisaw missing the season’s first two games and Ryan Kelly suffering a concussion in Week 2, at least one starting trenchman was missing from the offensive line to start the season. Fast forward to this week, and the aforementioned Jackson had surgery on his wrist and will probably be out until Week 7.
What does this mean? Minnesota hasn’t put its intended starting offensive line on the field yet. That will apparently be a midseason arrangement once Jackson returns.
Eagles, Broncos Lead the Way
Buday ranked the Philadelphia Eagles OL at No. 1 and noted: “Right tackle Lane Johnson exited in Week 3 with a neck injury after just 10 snaps. Matt Pryor initially took over, before he gave way to Fred Johnson. Pryor and Johnson earned PFF overall grades of 75.6 and 47.5, respectively. Philadelphia’s offensive line wasn’t at its best, underwhelming in pass protection largely because of Johnson’s absence, in the team’s Week 3 win over the Rams.”
“The unit surrendered 14 pressures — including three sacks — on 37 pass plays, leading to a 77.0 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, which ranked only 26th this week. Best player: Jordan Mailata. Mailata’s 87.8 PFF run-blocking grade after three weeks leads all offensive tackles.”
On the Denver Broncos at No. 2: “Denver’s offensive line was once again outstanding in pass protection. The unit surrendered only two pressures — and no sacks or quarterback hits — on 31 pass plays in the team’s loss to the Colts. The front-five finished with a 96.8 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, which was tied for the best mark in the NFL in Week 3.”
“Center Luke Wattenberg has received a negative PFF grade on just 4.4% of run plays this season, the second-lowest rate among centers. Best player: Garett Bolles. Bolles once again stayed clean in pass protection, leading to an 85.4 PFF pass-blocking grade, which ranked third among all offensive tackles in Week 3.”
The Cleveland Browns (No. 30), Cincinnati Bengals (No. 31), and Houston Texans (No. 32) rounded out the very bottom of PFF’s rankings.
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