The Minnesota Vikings have started 2-0 for the first time since 2016. Vikings supporters are looking for a far better outcome than 2016, when the club began 5-0 before finishing 8-8 and missed the playoffs. Leaving the 2016 season behind, Minnesota’s 2024 squad won their second game of the season on Sunday against one of the top opponents on their schedule in stunning fashion.
The Vikings are operating well on both sides of the ball, with head coach and play-caller Kevin O’Connell garnering national media plaudits for his offensive scheme, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores turning Minnesota’s defense into a nightmare for opposing offenses.
With being said, the Vikings still need to make some adjustments to keep their hot streak going. So, what are some of the important issues Minnesota needs to address before their Week 3 game against the Houston Texans?
The Minnesota Vikings must address the following issues before meeting the Houston Texans in Week 3: 1. Ball security.
This may seem like a broken record, but the Vikings are having difficulties holding onto the ball. Sam Darnold’s interception in Week 1 was forgiven because he was struck while throwing the ball, but his interception in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers was not so forgivable.
Darnold tossed the ball right to 49ers great linebacker Fred Warner, stopping Minnesota’s promising drive and preventing them from scoring more points.
Against San Francisco, Vikings running back Aaron Jones fumbled the football on the goal line after the offense executed a brilliant screen pass, denying Minnesota another scoring opportunity and keeping the 49ers in the game.
At the very least, if the Vikings had made field goals on all of those drives, their narrow 23-17 victory in Week 2 would have become a more comfortable 29-17 win.
Minnesota appeared to be the better team on Sunday, but costly turnovers kept a dangerous San Francisco squad in the game for much too long.
2. Penalties.
Again, this may seem like a broken record from the previous week, but the Vikings need to cut down on penalties.
In Week 2, Minnesota committed seven penalties totaling 53 yards, giving its opponent an unfair advantage. The Vikings also had seven penalties for 63 yards in Week 1, which is not a pattern that can be sustained if the team wants to win consistently.
Even though Minnesota won in Week 2, the 49ers only committed four penalties for 30 yards, leaving a 23-yard penalty yardage discrepancy between the two teams. It didn’t end up hurting the Vikings, but they can’t keep giving the opposing team free yards.
While this may be a minor issue that Minnesota should address, it is unquestionably beneficial to reduce penalties.
3. TE Help
This last item is certainly nitpicky, but the Vikings need tight end help. Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver perform their purpose, although none of them contribute much when it comes
to the passing game. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota’s premier tight end, will return at some point this season, but it’s evident that the Vikings must either expect more of Mundt and Oliver as receivers or go elsewhere for tight end pass-catching help.
Logan Thomas, a former Washington Commanders player, is likely the best free agency tight end available.
Thomas was able to accumulate roughly 500 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, which are mediocre at best. However, Minnesota does not require a dominant tight end right now, only someone who can assist move the chains.
Even when Hockenson returns, having a solid pass-catching tight end to give him a break while he ramps up his effort following his ACL rehab would be ideal.
Mundt and Oliver have been alright, but their lack of pass-catching leaves a lot of opportunities on the table, especially because wide outs Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson are both injured coming into Week 3.
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