Film study: Vikings vs. Browns
Designed quick throws and downfield passes to Justin Jefferson were the highlights of the Vikings win
By Matthew Coller
It’s safe to say that the last-minute win over the Cleveland Browns in London made the Minnesota Vikings’ flight back to the states much smoother and the bye week much more enjoyable for the entire franchise.
What can we take away from the victory? Let’s have a look at the all-22 film…
Carson Wentz downfield passing to Justin Jefferson
One thing that has stood out over the last three weeks since Wentz took over is that he’s not afraid to push the football in the direction of his No. 1 wide receiver. Jefferson has 22 receptions on 29 targets at 14.7 yards per catch since JJ McCarthy went down with a high ankle sprain. Here are three examples of downfield catches on Sunday:
The first is a play-action deep out-breaking route. KOC only sends two receivers downfield against four deep defenders and three underneath zone players. The play works because of the pass protection, which features the line moving and Josh Oliver blocking across the formation to sell the run. It gives Jefferson time to push 15+ yards downfield on the outside cornerback and then break off the route violently. Wentz delivers the ball well enough for Jefferson to go up and get it.
If there’s anything that has been proven about Jefferson over the years, it’s that throws only have to be in his ballpark in order for him to grab the football.
The play-action completion wasn’t the only out route that Wentz got into Jefferson’s range. This one features very good anticipation from the veteran quarterback. The formation puts Jefferson and Jordan Addison stacked next to each other. Cleveland rotates from a two-high safety look into a single-high, leaving both top-notch receivers one-on-one. Wentz puts the ball in Jefferson’s path and he catches it in stride. Sometimes it looks like these two have played together for a while.
This is an example of the backup-laden offensive line doing just enough to get the job done. There is pressure coming from over the left guard, but Wentz has the ball out before the rush can get there.
The next throw is classic WR1 stuff. The Browns give Wentz a clear one-on-one with Jefferson and Denzel Ward. It’s hard to understand why they would do that on the final drive but Wentz identified it and put the ball up for grabs. Jefferson did his thing.
You’ll notice in the second clip that pressure comes instantly from the left side, requiring Wentz to get rid of the ball as soon as he set his feet.
It isn’t a big surprise that the well-traveled quarterback would lean on Jefferson considering what No. 18 has done for the likes of Kirk Cousins, Nick Mullens and Sam Darnold in the past. When O’Connell talked about lessons that JJ McCarthy could lean from Wentz, we see several of them on display in these clips of seeing the pre or post-snap read and finding WR1.
Designed underneath passing
O’Connell is getting due credit for giving Wentz a bunch of easy-button plays. The most clever of which was a swing pass to Jefferson, who lined up in the backfield. Cleveland’s defenders didn’t seem to realize who was in the running back position and still chased the play-fake to Jordan Mason, leaving the star receiver open for a first down.
Later in the game, with the Vikings in scoring position but badly in need of a couple more first downs, KOC called two quick throws to Addison. The first was a screen with TJ Hockenson and Jalen Nailor leading the way 2-on-2. Nailor sells out to take his man out of the play, giving Addison a lane to create positive yards.
The one subtle detail is the pre-snap motion that moves a defender out of the area. If Addison had chosen to cut back, he would have had room because of it.
The second throw to Addison gave them a chance to win the game. On third-and-four, Addison goes in motion and the cornerback goes along with him, giving Wentz the indication that it’s going to be man coverage. There’s no way for the corner to get around all the traffic and Addison gets to the first down marker just in time.
While it is an “easy button” play, Wentz did have to get his feet set moving to his left and throw an accurate ball to keep the receiver’s momentum going toward the line to gain.
When Wentz threw the ball between 0-9 yards 10 times in the game and went 10-for-10 with 71 yards and got the ball out in 1.96 seconds, per PFF. Whew.
Blake Brandel at center
There was some debate about the PFF grade that Brandel received for his efforts in pass blocking (54.2). One thing that grades don’t factor is the quality of competition. The Browns have a super talented defensive line across the board, making it a huge challenge for the veteran linemen while playing center for the first time. The grades also can’t show leadership, experience or IQ, all of which was vital for Brandel in the game. On Jefferson’s 38-yard catch, it’s very possible that the center would get a negative grade because Mason Graham ends up in the lap of the QB but Brandel realizes that Joe Huber got taken down by Malik Collins and he moves his body just enough to get in the way of Collins, allowing the throw by Wentz.
The most impressive part of the offensive line is that they seemed connected. Considering the guys that were playing, that’s very difficult to do. Having a player with as much experience in the system as Brandel was big, no doubt.
Javon Hargrave’s adjusted role
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