Analyzing the Vikings’ opening drives

By Krupka  |   Wednesday, October 11, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Minnesota Vikings
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After five games of the 2006 regular season, it's safe to say the Minnesota Vikings' offense, for the most part, has experienced difficulty scoring points. However, in each of the five contests, the offense has managed to put points on the board on its opening drive, while sputtering throughout the second and third quarters of games.

Which brings us to the two big questions: What are they doing right on the first drive? And why can't they continue to do these positive things throughout the game?

Head coach Brad Childress has a knack for being able to break down film on an opposing defense and orchestrate the perfect game plan to attack it--at least for one series. The offensive guru and Vikings play caller scripts the team's first 15 offensive plays each week. And taking a look at the results so far, while his offense as a whole hasn't lived up to the expectations of most, on the opening series, nobody has stopped it.

Week 1 @ Washington

Plays Run Pass Yards Time End Result
10 5 5 80 4:55 Taylor 4-yard TD run

Yards: Rush Pass
15 70

Week 2 vs. Carolina

Plays Run Pass Yards Time End Result
11 7 3 63 6:32 Longwell 26-yard FG

Yards: Rush Pass
24 43

Week 3 vs. Chicago

Plays Run Pass Yards Time End Result
8 3 4 68 4:11 Longwell 31-yard FG

Yards: Rush Pass
8 60

Week 4 @ Buffalo

Plays Run Pass Yards Time End Result
12 5 6 61 6:20 Longwell 37-Yard FG

Yards: Rush Pass
18 48

Week 5 vs. Detroit

Plays Run Pass Yards Time End Result
10 5 4 72 6:48 Longwell 26-yard FG

Yards: Rush Pass
45 37

Looking at the drive charts, and watching the plays, it's obvious there is a lot of things the offense is doing correct. For one, there is tremendous balance with the play calling. The run-to-pass ratio is nearly one to one, with the Vikings running the ball 25 times compared to 22 pass plays.

Secondly, running back Chester Taylor is averaging 4.48 yards per carry (21 carries for 94 yards), which is more than a half-yard (.68) greater than his 3.8 yards per carry on the season.

Thirdly, and probably most importantly, is quarterback Brad Johnson. The 37-year-old has come under scrutiny of late for a fairly low 78.3 passer rating, but he's been nearly flawless on first drives. The veteran signal caller is completing 68% of his passes on opening drives (15-of-22) for 258 yards, no turnovers and an incredible 118.75 rating.

The only thing really holding the offense back from putting up more than the 18 points it has in its opening series are penalties. The offense has been flagged five times in opening drives, three in the red zone, for 40 yards.

In Week 2, right guard Artis Hicks was called for holding at the Panthers' 7-yard line, negating a 6-yard run by running back Chester Taylor that would have been second-and-goal from the 1 instead of first-and-goal from the 17. Although you can't assume a touchdown, it's hard to argue that the flag didn't cost the Vikings four points.

In Week 4, wide receiver Travis Taylor drew a flag for ostensibly pushing off a Bills linebacker trying to cover him. The replay showed no such contact; but nonetheless, the 10-yard penalty at the Bills' 18 cost the Vikings a first-and-10 from the 13, and instead made it third-and-14 from the 28. One play later they settled for a field goal. Again, it's tough to say if the penalty actually took any points off the board, but the Bills' defense was reeling, and it's debatable that Johnson and company could have capped off the drive with a touchdown.

Then just this past Sunday, a holding penalty by left tackle Bryant McKinnie at the 10-yard line moved the Vikings' offense back 10 yards. However, by committing the infraction, the Vikings' lineman might have saved his quarterback from taking a big hit.

Now onto Part Two: Why can't the offense sustain the success from its first opportunities? The answer is hazy at best with different components. For starters, the unit has played against four solid defenses that have made in-game adjustments. Also, the wide receivers, namely Troy Williamson, have dropped passes that have stymied drives, and a few balls that were dropped could have been possible touchdowns.

The offense has gone flat in games for mainly the above two reasons, combined with a propensity to commit penalties. After the bye week, if the receivers start making the plays they should, and the penalty problem that has plagued the offense, especially inside the red zone, exits, it should become more productive, helping out a defense that has done more than its share in earning a 3-2 record at the break.

Can the Vikings' offense go six-for-six in opening drive scores this season? It will be a tough task on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. Given an extra week to study the Seahawks' defensive tendencies, I'll put my money on Childress to get his offense rolling early again.

Eric Krupka is a senior writer for RealFootball365.com He responds to readers' email daily and can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Score on the opening drive with the Minnesota Vikings at RealFootball365.com
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