The Vikings are somehow 2-0 to kick off the season, but don’t let that record fool you, their passing offense is a total disaster, currently ranked 31st in the league. Now Kyler Murray is back from concussion protocol, set to make his first real start, and everyone’s holding their breath: can Kevin O’Connell actually fix this mess and get the ball moving?
Brian Flores Is Carrying This Whole Squad
Let’s just be real, this 2-0 start isn’t because of the offense. Over their last 19 regular-season games, the Vikings have the 31st-ranked passing offense, clocking in with a brutal negative EPA of -0.5 per play. This team simply can’t crack 200 yards through the air right now. As Dave Stefano put it, “This team was third in the league for three straight years, and now they can’t crack 200 yards.” That’s a huge drop, and it’s frustrating to watch.
But hey, thank goodness for Brian Flores. His defense is out there playing like the ’85 Bears on a budget, an absolute machine. Flores boasts a defensive EPA of +11.9, the best in all of football. Drew Bunting’s wife Ruby nailed it when she said, “You mean Brian Flores is 2-0.” Seriously, the defense is keeping them afloat while the offense flails.
Kyler Murray’s Return Means Business, Right?
Now Murray is out of concussion protocol and getting the start. This is KOC’s chance to prove something. Dave Stefano thinks O’Connell will finally open up the playbook, let Murray unleash it. But Drew Bunting isn’t so sure. He predicts a conservative approach, saying, “I think he’s gonna take the same conservative approach, and then in the second half we’ll be texting each other going, ‘Can we let Kyler Murray throw it down the field?’” That’s exactly what fans don’t want to see.
Drew even threw out a challenge: KOC needs to score at least 17 points in the first half this week. His research shows the Vikings have only managed that feat twice in their last 14 games, both times with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. That’s a stark reminder of how stagnant this offense has been. On the bright side, some players are stepping up with increased snap counts, like Caleb Banks (up to 20 snaps from 16), Levi Drake Rodriguez (a huge jump from 34 to 60 snaps), and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. Harrison Smith’s snaps are climbing too, from 26 to 29. And with Jauan Jennings out, Myles Price took 50% of offensive snaps as the WR3 while Tai Felton got zero. Drew called Price “a gamer” with “a little bit more gonads or onions than Tai Felton does.” Maybe that grit is exactly what this offense needs.
This Week 3 matchup is on the road against a desperate 0-2 Buccaneers team in Tampa Bay. They’re banged up, with Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter out, Alex Anzalone called “terrible,” and Vita Vea a “disappointment.” But Drew warned us all, “Desperate teams are dangerous teams.” The turnover battle is going to be everything. The Vikings are a ridiculous 37-4 under O’Connell when they win or tie the turnover battle, and they’re +3 on the season right now. Tampa Bay is in the negative. Can they keep that turnover advantage and finally get Kyler and the offense clicking? It’s time to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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