Vikings checking off all the boxes of a ‘modern’ offense

[purplefaithful]

Through eight games, a number of statistical categories make it clear just how much the Minnesota Vikings have improved offensively since last season in both the run and passing games. They rank fourth in the percentage of drives they are producing points, fifth in Expected Points Added and third in yards per play. In 2018 the Vikings were 23rd, 25th and 19th in those same areas.
Early in the season the Vikings were criticized for taking an “old school” approach to offense, focusing on the run first. But over the past four weeks the offense has become one of the NFL’s most explosive, which is partly due to offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski taking a modern approach.
Defining “modern” can be difficult considering many — if not all — of the concepts the Vikings have used to be successful have been used for many years in the NFL. The “modern” part is combining long-used concepts with things that have been proven to work in today’s game.
An unofficial poll of several analysts — both statistical and X’s and O’s — came up with six categories that make offenses modern: Play-action usage, personnel mismatches, position less players, motions, running with a box advantage and deep shots.
Here’s a look at how the Vikings have used all of them to gain an edge
https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019...n-offense/

[Guest]

If we put put it in basketball terms, the Vikings offense isn’t just shooting three-pointers, they are using floor spacing and multiple passes. Stefanski isn’t just using concepts that have been found to work like play-action, motion and multiple personnel packages, he’s using them in conjunction with processes that have been found to be more effective by statistical study. The results are huge gains from last season and a model that should be sustainable going forward.

[Guest]

Whatever you want to call it, they are on a roll.  And the big reason is because they can run the ball.  All that eye candy and motion and play action don't mean squat if the D doesn't have to respect the run. 

Elflein was blasted last game for his holding penalties.  He struggles some on the pass blocking, but he is a big contributor in the run and screen game. 

[Guest]

@greediron said:

Whatever you want to call it, they are on a roll.  And the big reason is because they can run the ball.  All that eye candy and motion and play action don't mean squat if the D doesn't have to respect the run. 

Elflein was blasted last game for his holding penalties.  He struggles some on the pass blocking, but he is a big contributor in the run and screen game. 

Elflein is like any other player on the roster, he has his strengths and weaknesses.  He can move and get to the second level on the zone blocking scheme, he does this extremely well.  He has struggled in pass protections and bull-rushes.  Time and hard work can correct these issues, not with one year playing center, second year out with injury and third year playing guard.  A player needs consistency and repetition playing that one position in order to prefect it.  Let's don't judge him after half a season just yet. 

[Guest]

@ArizonaViking said:

@greediron said:

Whatever you want to call it, they are on a roll.  And the big reason is because they can run the ball.  All that eye candy and motion and play action don't mean squat if the D doesn't have to respect the run. 

Elflein was blasted last game for his holding penalties.  He struggles some on the pass blocking, but he is a big contributor in the run and screen game. 

Elflein is like any other player on the roster, he has his strengths and weaknesses.  He can move and get to the second level on the zone blocking scheme, he does this extremely well.  He has struggled in pass protections and bull-rushes.  Time and hard work can correct these issues, not with one year playing center, second year out with injury and third year playing guard.  A player needs consistency and repetition playing that one position in order to prefect it.  Let's don't judge him after half a season just yet. 

Yes, I like Elf.  I think he is a smart player and understand protections.  There is one of the breakdowns in another thread where Bradbury and Elf handled a stunt by Detroit and allowed Cousins to hit a deep throw to Diggs.  He added bulk this year, but still needs to learn to anchor.  I certainly am not in the shelf the elf camp.