The challenge of convincing JJ McCarthy that the Minnesota Vikings are in the thick of it this season has been creating all kinds of cracks in their foundation for success, and the evidence was everywhere in their latest loss.
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Despite starting the game in Green Bay on Sunday with a rushing strategy that netted 69 yards on his first 10 passes to either Aaron Jones or Jordan Mason, the Vikings trailed by two scores early in the third quarter and needed McCarthy in throwback mode to have a realistic chance at a comeback.
The Packers defense, which has consistently been one of the best in the league all season, unsurprisingly took advantage of a struggling young quarterback and sent the Vikings to a 23-6 loss behind five sacks, two interceptions and a helpless second-half performance.
“The formula can’t be to end up down double digits in the second half,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “It takes you out of the game you want to play.”
It starts with the scheme run by defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
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Last season, the Vikings ranked second in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed per game and fourth in third-down conversion rate. They had five more interceptions (24) than the next closest team. The Vikings’ offense was productive enough at over 25 points per game, the ninth-best mark in the league, that they held leads of two or more points in the fourth quarter in 11 of 17 games en route to finishing 14-3.
The Vikings (4-7) have enjoyed that scenario this season only twice in 11 games. They have already faced two-possession deficits in the fourth quarter eight times this season, after just three such instances last season. Guess what? The defense ranks 24th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game and has just three interceptions, tied for the second-fewest in the league.
The quarterback issues have also taken O’Connell out of his play-calling game.
The Vikings covered 59 yards in eight plays early in the second quarter while trailing 7-3 to set up a third-and-1 at the 17-yard line, when tight end TJ Hockenson took a direct snap for the first time in his Vikings career and was blocked at the line of scrimmage. Mason followed fullback CJ Ham up the middle on fourth-and-1 and was prepared to lose. That was as costly a turnover, albeit with casualties, as the other three that followed.
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The Packers went the other way for a field goal, after O’Connell frantically called a timeout to avoid what he feared would be a 12-man-on-the-field penalty and give the home team a first-and-goal situation. Except Ivan Pace Jr. was walking off the field for no reason, because it turned out the Vikings actually had the legal number of players before special teams broke down.
“The margin for error is clearly very narrow right now,” O’Connell said. “But what we can’t do is lose the turnover battle three to zero, significantly lose the field position battle and then have negative plays on offense that really don’t give you a chance against the best defenses in the league. We have to correct some things that are proving to be somewhat fatal in certain areas of our team right now, far beyond just having a young quarterback.”
What is working?
Although the Packers were content to run the ball all afternoon, the Vikings limited Jordan Love to 6.6 yards per pass attempt, his third-lowest mark this season. They are seventh in the league in passing yards allowed (186.1) per game.
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What needs help?
McCarthy, who was placed in concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on the team’s flight home, is in the deep end and barely staying afloat. Inaccuracy is an issue, but he has also repeatedly played himself into sacks by holding the ball too long despite strong protection in front of him.
Supply
Will Reichard has been one of the few players who has performed equal to or above expectations. He is the first player in NFL history with four field goals of 59 yards or longer in a season.
Stock down
On a smaller scale, the Vikings have also been on a roller coaster ride with rookie returner Myles Price, who has had several long runs but has made more than his share of costly mistakes. He allowed himself to be blocked on a bounced punt after the Vikings defense began the second half with a stop, and that fumble gave the Packers a new series of downs at the 5-yard line.
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Injury report
McCarthy’s status will again be closely watched this week, with no guarantee he will be cleared to play. OLB Jonathan Greenard (shoulder) missed his second straight game after being listed as questionable last week. LT Christian Darrisaw and LG Donovan Jackson left the game with foot injuries.
Key number
11.2%: McCarthy’s sack rate is the third-highest season rate in the league over the past three years, according to data from Sportradar.
Next
The Vikings will be underdogs this Sunday in Seattle, where they won last season for the first time since 2006.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL