The Minnesota Vikings have started the season 0-3. Terrible. It can be reassuring to think about how each game could’ve easily gone the Vikings way. It’s also pointless. They are 0-3. Unless we can come up with some sort of time machine, nothing will change that. Despite the terrible start, some Vikings populate the very top of the league’s statistical leaders. This is an attempt to find some good in the terrible start. I’ll start with the great Justin Jefferson.
Justin Jefferson
Receptions: 27 (League Rank: 3rd)
1. Keenan Allen 32
2. Puka Nacua 30
Yards: 458 (League Rank: 1st)
2. Tyreek Hill 412
3. Keenan Allen 402
Jefferson is averaging about 17 yards per receptions. As for the two receivers with more receptions.
Allen 12.6
Nacua 11.3
Unlike those with more receptions, Jefferson is actually running some routes.
Kirk Cousins
Yards: 1,075 (League Rank: 1st)
2. Tua Tagavailoa 1,024
3. Justin Herbert 939
Touchdowns: 9 (League Rank: 1st)
2. Tua Tagavailoa 8
3. Patrick Mahomes 7
3. Jordan Love 7
Attempts: 138 (League Rank: 1st)
2. Matthew Stafford 126
3. Mac Jones 125
Completions: 96 (League Rank: 1st)
2. Justin Herbert 90
3. Mac Jones 81
Cousins has had a fantastic start to the season. He’s thrown two interceptions. Both of which hit his intended receiver before finding the hands of an opponent.
Danielle Hunter
Sacks: 5.0 (League Rank: 2)
1. T.J. Watt 6.0
With Brian Flores calling the defensive shots, the Vikings have blitzed a lot. Despite all of the extra pass rushes, it’s Hunter that’s provided the most consistent pressure. He’s been great. But he needs help. He needs Marcus Davenport on the field. He needs Davenport to stay on the field. It’d also be nice to see some of the extra rushers get home.
Through three games, the Vikings have the league’s most productive quarterback, the best receiver, and one of the best pass rushers. It doesn’t seem possible that they haven’t won a single game.
Self-inflicted mistakes. Turnovers. Continuing the statistical leaders theme, the Vikings have turned the ball over a league-leading nine times. Of those nine turnovers, two have set their opponent up nicely for immediate scores. Six have come within reach of the opponents end zone. Half of those have come at the goal line or in the end zone. The final turnover came near midfield. It also came on the first play after their first takeaway of the season. Unbelievable. There’s never a good time or place on the field for a turnover but the Vikings nine turnovers couldn’t come at worse times or places on the field. Unbelievable.
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