Now nine games in, here are my observations:
- If there was any pre-snap movement, it was generally more shifts than motion. The Vikings were average in their use of motion in 2021 (keep in mind we were way below average). It varied by game, but it seemed like there were stretches of drives with zero motion.
- The RB/TE screen game looks much better than what we put on the field this year. The receivers have room to run with blockers in front.
- The Vikings used WR screens and quick throws to the outside receiver at a high rate. Rarely big gainers, but they kept the chains moving. The quick throws were paired with zone run looks going in the opposite direction, freezing the box defenders and giving the WR room to operate.
- They also threw a lot of fades, if you challenged JJ 1v1 they were going to let it fly. I would expect the same for Carr-Olave.
- The drop back pass game doesn’t look considerably different than what I’ve seen from us, not a ton of motion and big on timing.
- They definitely get more chunk gains in the zone running game, but it’s somewhat boom and bust. The Vikings had the highest rates of runs stuffed (didn’t get past the LOS) in 2021, but they were also among the league’s best in second level yards (5-10 yards) and open field yards (11+ yards). The potential for those bigger gains probably helped boost their PA game.
- They ran a lot more play action that what you saw this year. A lot of UC looks. Plenty of FB usage with I formation looks. Prentice (or some other FB) will likely find a place on the field. Shanahan and McDaniel both make heavy usage of a FB as well.