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Minnesota Vikings: O-Line must improve to be contenders

By Luke Sims

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Dec 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 37-35. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings were dealt a tough hand heading into the 2015 season. Losing starting right tackle Phil Loadholt for the season and starting center John Sullivan for significant time on short term injured reserve (though he may be nearing his return).

Losing significant, reliable players along any offensive line is enough to disrupt any team for a whole season. Miraculously, the Vikings have managed to do decently despite a substandard offensive line that is still struggling to put things together.

After watching Teddy Bridgewater struggle behind a shaky offensive line for the second straight week and seeing Adrian Peterson facing constant penetration from the Kansas City Chiefs defense, it’s clear that the offensive line needs to step up or risk the delicate positivity that’s been built up.

For now, the Vikings are second in the NFC North at 3-2 and are likely to beat the upcoming Detroit Lions (1-5) this next week. Not every week will be the Lions or the Chicago Bears though, and the Vikings were exposed by a superior defense the last two weeks.

ALSO ON SPIN ZONE: Where does Teddy Bridgewater rank among QBs?

Even with some easy wins in the division, the Vikings may find themselves competing for a wildcard spot to slip into the playoffs, the Green Bay Packers still remain undefeated and are in fine form still.

To make sure they can remain in contention for the playoffs, the O-Line has to improve.

Pro Football Focus has the Vikings graded negatively both against the pass rush (-2.7) and run blocking (-17.3) but let’s dive into why those grades a bit more.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has faced pressure on 70 dropbacks so far this season. That’s 70 of his 168 dropbacks (41.7 percent of the time). This is compared to 189 of 474 (39.9 percent of the time) dropbacks last season. That difference is not necessarily significant, but there has been a difference in performance based on pressure this season.

Bridgewater has completed just 44 percent of his passes under pressure in 2015, as measured by PFF. Compared to the 57.9 completion percentage when under pressure in 2014, that’s a significant decrease. He has thrown three interceptions and no touchdowns compared to four of both in 2014. Operating under the assumption that Bridgewater hasn’t taken that big of a step backward in his development, the offensive line seems an easy scapegoat.

The pressure seems to be getting to Bridgewater faster and while he is still gifted at scrambling, he can’t avoid everything. The sack percentage (as measured by Pro Football Reference) for Bridgewater has increased up to 9.3% so far this season, which helps explain why he is among the most sacked quarterbacks in 2015.

Sep 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball past San Diego Chargers linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (97) during the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings aren’t just struggling in the protecting Teddy Bridgewater, though. They are also struggling at opening holes and stopping penetration in the run game.

Peterson’s 432 yards is sixth in the NFL so far this season, so the running game is working but it seems most likely that it is relying more on the strength of Peterson’s ability than on the strength of the offensive line.

The game against the Kansas City Chiefs was particularly tough for Peterson. He struggled to gain yards on a consistent basis and finished the day with just 2.31 yards per rush for 60 yards. If he hadn’t had that long of 23 yards, the day would have looked even worse.

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This is a continuing trend that, in light of the poorer play of the offensive line, is concerning. Peterson has accumulated 41.4 percent of his yards on runs of 15 yards or more, which is just six total rushes at this point in the season. Those six rushes are 179 of his total yards. The other 253 yards come from 95 attempts, giving Peterson below a three yards per rush average usually.

The breakaway potential of Peterson is great, of course, and a testament to his ability as a running back. It’s an indictment against the offensive line, however, that one of the best running backs of his generation is struggling to consistently pick up solid yardage.

Perhaps the best example of Peterson doing it all while the Vikings offensive line struggles was during the game against the San Diego Chargers. In that game, Peterson averaged 4.7 yards after contact per attempt. He amassed an impressive 126 yards in that game, with 93 of them coming after contact. If he is expected to run like that each week it will wear his 30-year old knees out and make him less effective.

It isn’t all about the number of one running back, though. The Vikings O-Line also isn’t passing the eye test. It was frustrating to watch the rushing attack routinely facing one or more players in the backfield as soon as the ball is handed off. It’s maddening to see the offensive potential often wasted when guys like Matt Asiata and Peterson can’t find the room to run and are forced to make miraculous plays if they hope to gain yardage.

The offensive line simply must step up or the Vikings may continue to struggle offensively.  So far, they’re a +.500 team. If they want to compete, they’ll need to make adjustments to play to the O-Line’s personnel strength. Right now, it isn’t too promising and as the season goes on, I worry it will only get worse. Right now, backup center Joe Berger has been the biggest positive for the team and Sullivan may end up replacing him shortly when he returns from injured reserve.

Next: Is Peterson the greatest running back ever?

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