Third downs continue to be problematic for Vikings

By Krupka  |   Monday, October 01, 2007  |  Comments( 13 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Third down.

The mystery the Minnesota Vikings' offense can't seem to solve.

After the team's first two games of the season, it appeared the dreaded third down ills that hindered last year's Vikings both offensively and defensively were a thing of the past. The Vikings' offense was converting nearly 50 percent of its third-down opportunities, notching eight conversions in each game. The defense had allowed just seven total first downs on third-down plays, holding opponents to a 31.28 percent conversion rate.

However, in the next two games the third-down offense and defense would get worse. Heading into Sunday's contest against the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota offense had converted just under 33 percent of its third downs. After a fast start, converting four of its first five attempts on third down Sunday, Minnesota would finish only one for its next 10.

Third downs can be drive-enders or extenders. For the Vikings' offense, it continues to be an Achilles' heel. A crucial aspect of being exceptional on third downs is being able to set yourself up for manageable situations (third and fewer than 3 yards).

Unfortunately for the Vikings, the Packer defense put them in many third-and-long situations. Minnesota, on average, needed over 7 yards per third down. The strength of the offense is its running game, most notably back Adrian Peterson. The long yards needed on third-down plays forced Minnesota to pass 14 out of the 15 third downs it faced. Not exactly the ingredient for success.

The coaching staff took some heat for its third-down play-calling in previous weeks. And while it was deserved for not giving Peterson the ball in third-and short-situations, short-yardage downs were few and far between on Sunday.

Defensively, the Vikings are only allowing opponents to convert on 39 percent of their third downs; however, the percentage has increased in the past couple weeks, and crucial third-down conversions have hurt.

For instance, both of the Packers' touchdowns came on third-down plays. And both conversions were of the third-and-long variety (7 and 9 yards, respectively).

Just a week earlier, the Vikings let the Kansas City Chiefs convert on two third downs en route to their game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.

With the bye this week, Minnesota's coaches and players -- now sitting at 1-3 -- must make it a point to improve on third down. If not, expect to continue seeing frustrating drives by the Vikings' woeful offense.

-You can reach Eric Krupka at ekrupka@realfootball365.com.

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CommentsComments: 13  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
VikingMike		10:47 AM
10/01/2007
Third and one should always be converted. Third and three should be converted 75% of the time. Third and 8 should be converted...
No.2
Viking Fan in Giants Country		11:45 AM
10/01/2007
Fortunately the Vikings are in a bye week. That means they can't lose. I agree with VikingMike in that the offense is so bad,...
No.3
Ben		12:38 PM
10/01/2007
I would like to say that the other two who commented on this are just being cyincal and irrational. Also, Mr. Eric Krupka was...
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