Film study: Vikings offense had all the answers

How did the offense thrive in the Vikings' biggest win of the year?

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By Matthew Coller

On Monday night the Minnesota Vikings’ offense put on a show, racking up 452 yards of total offense behind an explosive passing game and some quietly strong showings from role players. How did they do it versus one of the NFL’s best defenses? Let’s have a look at some plays that stood out…

We begin with the first play of the game, an explosive run from Alexander Mattison. The Vikings line up with two tight ends to the play side of the field, both of which do their jobs in creating a running lane for Mattison.

Josh Oliver takes the defensive end and TJ Hockenson gives a little bit of help before moving onto the linebacker and taking him for a ride as Mattison cut back up field. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw explodes out of his stance and chases down superstar linebacker Fred Warner, who he pushes out of the way with one big shove and then makes sure that he doesn’t fight back. New left guard Dalton Risner reach blocked Javon Hargrave and got to his outside shoulder and walled him off (and kept hustling through the entire run). Garrett Bradbury tracked down a defensive back, who wanted nothing of a one-on-one with the center and overran the play trying to escape the block. This is like a picture of a crowd where you can spot something different every time you see it.

Of course, the Vikings ended up throwing an interception on the third play of the game so Mattison’s run went forgotten but the next drive ended up being quite memorable. The defense caused a turnover and the offense got a second chance at an opening drive. No harm, no foul. But at first it didn’t look like they were going to take advantage as they were set up with third-and-long inside their own 10-yard line. But Kevin O’Connell came up with a clever design for his tight end that resulted in a first down that kickstarted a touchdown drive.

TJ Hockenson motioned in line next to Brian O’Neill to chip Nick Bosa. As he is hitting the star defensive end, the two receivers at the bottom of the screen are running vertical routes, pushing the secondary and linebackers deep. Hockenson delays and then breaks out into the vacated area for a wide open first down. You will notice the linebacker Warner back peddling against the vertical routes too far from Hockenson to make a play before the sticks.

Later in the same drive Hockenson got involved again on another well designed and timed play. Cousins runs a straight play-action drop-back and Hockeson comes across the field into a wide open space in the 49ers’ zone. There isn’t anything particularly complicated about it but having the crossers from the tight end behind two underneath routes by Oliver and Mattison held the linebackers in place for Hockenson to get behind them.

Our next play is Jordan Addison’s first touchdown, which is a simple pitch and catch because of the design and 49ers’ misstep in coverage.

The Vikings line up with a bunch formation to Cousins’ left side and run a shallow cross with Hockenson, an in-breaking route by Brandon Powell and a crosser from Addison. The 49ers play zone, leaving the safety to pick up Addison across the middle of the field. He appears to be late in recognizing the route and the linebacker can’t get turned around fast enough to cover Addison.

On every one of these plays it’s worth watching the offensive line but take a closer look at right tackle Brian O’Neill, who held on just long enough to keep the rush from reaching Cousins despite the inside rusher getting an edge on a stunt.

Our next play is not complicated or special in any way, yet it’s exactly what the Vikings need to happen with Hockenson on a regular basis. Cousins takes a short drop and whips the ball out to his tight end for an easy first down. Hockenson got lined up one-on-one in space with the 49ers linebacker and took advantage of his ability to create separation and then turned up field for a first down. This type of easy button play has seemingly been missing after being there often with Hockenson last year.

Now let’s have a look at a couple of Cam Akers’ flashes….