The Vikings are 3-0, but that’s not because they’ve found an offensive groove so far this season.
In three weeks of work, they have managed a league-worst 715 yards and their passing game has been the least productive in the league. That didn’t stop them from trading quarterback JJ McCarthy to the Giants on Monday, and coach Kevin O’Connell expressed confidence later in the day that starter Kyler Murray will be able to produce better results with more time on offense.
“Look, we’ve seen Kyler throw 11 tackles in a game and we played against a good defense on the road yesterday. There’s a lot of things beyond Kyler that we have to improve on, myself included, and we’re going to do that, and we’re going to sticks as an insult” O’Connell said, via the team’s website. “I believe in our guys. I believe in where we can go as a team and I just love the fact that collectively we are able to come together and find a way to win football games.”
Things got especially bleak for the Vikings in the second half in Tampa on Sunday, as they gained 77 yards and four first downs while turning the ball over once and punting four times. A game against the winless Dolphins this week gives the Vikings a chance to get on better footing, and the questions of when that will happen will become a little more pronounced if they continue to struggle like they did against the Buccaneers.