Like youngsters going into a celebration organized by Freddy Krueger, the Vikings are about to be in tough form by the hands of the 49ers. Let’s hope Kirk Cousins is feeling further robust. The anticipated end result will contain the QB getting walloped early and infrequently.
Giving followers a greater understanding of what’s to come back for the 49ers at Vikings includes PurplePTSD providing up a single statistic, citation, and matchup to bear in mind. The hope, valued reader, is that the knowledge contained on this piece can operate as a little bit of a primer for what’s to come back in Monday evening’s matchup. Get pleasure from.
The 49ers at Vikings: Week 7
Stat: +97 vs. -6
The 49ers are the gold commonplace within the NFL by way of level differential.
After a half dozen video games, SF has scored 184 factors whereas permitting simply 87. Do the easy math and also you’ll discover that they’ve a +97 level differential. The subsequent closest crew is the Buffalo Payments, a crew that equally boasts a robust offense and protection. Sean McDermott’s crew sits at a really wholesome +84, a degree differential that means the Payments will as soon as once more be a Tremendous Bowl contender going into January.
Relatively infamously, the Vikings completed final season with a -3 level differential. The marginally beneath common level complete recommended that Minnesota was a humdrum crew wearing an elite crew’s clothes. Or, put otherwise, that they weren’t wherever near being pretty much as good as their 13 wins would recommend.
At 2-4, the Vikings actually appear to be a nasty crew, however their -6 level differential suggests they’re nearer to common. The problem, after all, is that placing collectively a median efficiency on Monday Night time Soccer gained’t end in a victory over San Francisco. SF averages 30.7 factors per recreation (2nd total) whereas permitting 14.5 factors per recreation (1st total).
Something lower than a top-tier effort from Kevin O’Connell’s crew will imply Loss #5 goes to hit the ultimate tally.
Quote: Kevin O’Connell on Blocking Out the Commerce Discuss
Taking part in so poorly means the Vikings want to significantly contemplate whether or not to commerce away a few of their finest gamers. And whereas a number of the passion has been dampened as a result of litany of insiders saying Kirk Cousins won’t be waiving his no-trade clause, the Vikings nonetheless do have a number of gamers who may very well be moved.
On Monday, Kevin O’Connell was requested about blocking out that speculation. Check out what the coach needed to say:
My job is to proceed to get the crew to concentrate on the issues we are able to management which is our efficiency, our response to some hostile conditions that a number of instances we’ve induced ourselves by means of a number of the early turnover points, a number of the essential performs right here in opposition to our protection on some longer yardage performs. , all three phases is what my problem to these guys continues to be and I assumed they did a fantastic job with that yesterday. No matter what occurs, both in opposition to us in that section or one other section that you just’ve bought to then are available in and attempt to overcome, have a look at it as a chance to reply and do it for the betterment of the crew.
Once more, it’s price reiterating the purpose: the Vikings are solely in the entire hypothesis due to the poor win/loss file. Seeing a crew at 4-2 would imply the dialog may be very totally different, with the main target resting on including reasonably than subtracting expertise.
And, to make certain, the antidote to overcoming the present hypothesis is to do exactly that: win. Begin with a victory over SF after which go snag one other win in Week 8 over GB. At .500 because the commerce deadline arrives, the Vikings would doubtless resolve to stay with the expertise that’s current. And, perhaps, there might even be an addition or two.
Matchup: Kyle Shanahan vs. Brian Flores
Blitzing a ton isn’t the reply. Blitzing successfully may very well be, although.
Certainly, the blitzes have to have a significant influence. Pressure Brock Purdy into unwise choices. Or, maybe, don’t let the QB get the ball out of his arms within the first place. The true prize could be wreaking sufficient havoc to as soon as once more win the turnover battle. Some extra interceptions and strip/sacks are exactly what the purple physician ordered.
A significant situation, although, is that Marcus Davenport is not out there. The proficient cross rusher is damage but once more, injuring his different ankle.
Flores thus must outsmart an offensive mastermind, somebody who’s recognized for locating distinctive, revolutionary methods of getting his playmakers open. The hope is that, in time, O’Connell can grow to be an offensive architect as formidable as Shanahan, however that’s a objective that’s nonetheless sooner or later. Proper now, there aren’t too many offensive minds on par with San Francisco’s head coach (with coaches like Sean McVay and Andy Reid developing as a number of the notable equals).
Outsmarting Kyle Shanahan isn’t simple and but the Vikings are going through a crew with superior expertise. Overcoming a greater roster usually includes good teaching, so let’s see if Brian Flores has one thing particular cooked up.
Editor’s Be aware: Info from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
Ok. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been overlaying the Vikings full time because the summer time of 2021. He might be discovered on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.