Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings got the get-right game they needed in Sunday’s 23-13 road win over the Tennessee Titans.
Darnold finished without an interception for just the third time this season, and the Vikings (8-2) scored on three consecutive possessions in the first half to get the game on their terms. Minnesota’s defense sacked Titans quarterback Will Levis five times, and safety Harrison Smith plucked the team’s NFL-leading 16th interception of the season.
Most NFL pundits believe the Vikings will go as far as their swarming defense will take them. But did one of the league’s most plodding offenses actually expose a potential fatal liability in Minnesota’s quest for a Super Bowl run over the next two months?
The NFL staff from Bleacher Report called out the Vikings’ cornerback group in particular following the game:
“We’ve seen the Vikings secondary be a liability too often this season, and it was far from great against the struggling Tennessee Titans. The Titans got next to nothing going on the ground, but they compiled 261 passing yards. Will Levis (17-of-31 for 295 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) often found easy yards against a pass defense that came in ranked 21st in yards allowed and 21st in passing touchdowns allowed. Along with Darnold’s recent penchant for mistakes, Minnesota’s secondary looms as its biggest liability heading into the final playoff race. Cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore, Fabian Moreau, Shaquill Griffin and Byron Murphy are all set to be free agents in the spring. The Vikings, who have $76.8 million in projected 2025 cap space, must target cornerbacks early, often and throughout the offseason.”
So, should Vikings fans worry about their cornerback group being a liability in the playoffs?
Absolutely not.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores comes from the Bill Belichick coaching tree, and their defenses with the New England Patriots were known for giving up a lot of yards, while surrendering few points. These Vikings are cut from the same cloth.
Yes, they give up the fifth-most passing yards allowed per game in the NFL. They’re also fourth in the league in average points allowed. Does it really matter if Levis throws for 295 yards if the Titans end up scoring 13 points?
The Vikings have a veteran cornerback group that should be plenty competitive in January. There is definitely a lack of depth there, so an injury to one of the starters could be catastrophic, but you can do a lot worse than Gilmore, Griffin and Murphy Jr. working in tandem with one of the best overall units in football.
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