The Minnesota Vikings are 4-0 after beating the Miami Dolphins.
Let’s take a look at the data and film at what went right and wrong in the 15-10 victory…
What went right
Kyler Murray’s timing, accuracy and decision making
The first half of the game may have been rough in terms of total offensive production but at the end of the game, Kyler Murray’s stat line had some impressive numbers in terms of accuracy.
He was graded 9th in the NFL in passing grade by PFF and had a 90.6% completion percentage when drops and throwaways are removed (adjusted completion percentage).
On throws that traveled between 0 and 20 yards, Murray went 23-for-26 for 224 yards.
And that’s without one of his best throws of the day, a line drive pass to Jordan Addison that was negated because of a procedural penalty.
In the fourth quarter, Murray made his top passes of the day that required near perfection from a timing and accuracy perspective.
He completed a 27-yard pass to Addison on a play-action, in part by holding the linebacker in place with his eyes and then rocketing the football between the two LBs in the middle of the field.
If he was a tick late, that ball would have been broken up. When O’Connell talks about seeing a chance to ascend, it’s throws like this that give that idea promise.
Later in the fourth quarter, Murray hit Hockenson with a pass down the seam that required outstanding accuracy and anticipation. As you can see, when he brings back his arm to throw the ball, Hockenson isn’t even open yet and the safety is looming over the top. He has to believe fully in the tight end’s ability to get to the right spot and go up and get it.
The most interesting stat for the offense’s future is that Murray hit three of four attempts in the middle of the field between 10-19 yards.
While he has been an underneath and outside thrower often in his career, when he’s at his best is when he can use the entire field.
Moving the pocket/play-action
O’Connell had some very good designs for the Dolphins defense when it came to play-action and getting Murray moving. When using play-action, Murray went 6-for-10 with 95 yards. One of those throws was this pass up the seam to Hockenson where we see the play action draw the eyes of the defenders and he runs right past the linebacker.
If you notice the blocking scheme, the play includes a pulling lineman — an even more convincing wrinkle than the ball fake.
For those who have been shouting “just get playmakers the ball!” well, there were several plays that did just that to Hockenson and Addison and involved some movement of the pocket.
On this one, Murray rolls to his right and gets the ball easily to Addison for a positive gain.
These play-actions and pocket movement plays looked a lot more like what we saw in training camp from Murray and his receivers than what we saw against Tampa Bay.
Maybe it was helped along by having a week to prepare to play without Jefferson or maybe it was the type of defense they were playing. Either way: More of that.
TJ Hockenson route running
Over the last two years, a lot of folks with Hockenson on their fantasy team have been wondering if he is still capable of performing at the same level as 2022 and 2023. The Vikings decided to bring him back because they must have believed the answer is “yes” and he justified some of that thought on Sunday.
On this out-and-up in particular, he breaks down the defender, turns the corner quickly and accelerates into the ball as it arrives from Murray. That looks more like the spry version of Hockenson.
Hock finished with the highest receiving grade of any tight end in the NFL for Week 4.
Aaron Jones shotgun runs
While the running game at times felt like it wasn’t gaining consistent yardage, Aaron Jones ended up ripping off three carries of 10+ yards. The success came largely out of the shotgun, where we saw the Vikings practice often during the summer with Murray at quarterback. The team’s run guru Frank Smith came from a system that worked from the shotgun and had some creative blocking schemes.
We see that here with Hockenson coming back inside to take the defensive tackle, who initially looks like he’s left unblocked and the center running out to the linebacker.
The Vikings only have to manage one more game without Jordan Mason until he comes off IR. Overall, their run game has survived. If they can carry over more of the shotgun run stuff into New Orleans, they can get enough to keep things moving on the ground.
Blake Brandel’s best game?
Considering the circumstances, it wasn’t the easiest situation for the Vikings’ center. He had a new left guard for the majority of the game and was playing against a high-quality defensive tackle. But PFF graded Brandel as the Vikings’ best O-lineman with a 74.3 grade and only one QB pressure allowed (which was a sack).
The Vikings will need him to keep growing with his teammates and Murray as they are going to be without Donovan Jackson the rest of the way.
Dallas Turner’s pass rushing (again)
After Sunday’s game. Turner is No. 1 in the NFL in QB pressures and third in hits per PFF with 5.5 sacks.
Some of the discussion amongst analysts has been how much of Turner’s success has been rooted in the system. But on Sunday, he was overpowering the Dolphins’ tackles.
On this QB pressure, he gets off the line of scrimmage lightning quick and slams into the tackle, jolting him backward and he gets in Malik Willis’ face.
The right arm of Turner gets under his pad and sends him off the ground. Strength is the clear biggest difference along with confidence in his game.
Here’s an example of speed, strength and bend coming together for a sack. Turner gets to the outside edge on the tackle but lowers his head into the tackle’s chest before ripping past him.
The finish to the sack is a chef’s kiss.