12-09-2017, 02:50 PM
The Minnesota Vikings have matched up with a number of versatile running backs this year and locked them all down.
According to Football Outsiders, the Vikings rank sixth in the NFL against running backs in the passing game, giving up just 35 yards through the air to running backs per game. And that’s coming against some of the best receiving running backs like Alvin Kamara, Chris Thompson, Duke Johnson and Theo Riddick.
But this week will be a different type of challenge as they face the Carolina Panthers and first-round pick Christian McCaffrey. Pro Football Focus has tracked McCaffrey as lining up at the running back position for 379 plays, in the slot 93 times, at wideout for 43 snaps, fullback 34 times and even once at tight end.
“You have to be patient with this offense,” linebacker Anthony Barr said. “That’s the biggest thing. You can’t see ghosts because there will be a lot of window dressing, a lot of misdirection, you really have to read your keys this week more than most weeks. They do so much shifting and movements and motions across the screen and flashes and fake handoffs and all sorts of stuff.”
McCaffrey has been targeted 90 times, catching 64 passes for 501 yards. He ranks as PFF’s No. 2 running back in receiving, only behind Kamara.
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/1...challenge/
According to Football Outsiders, the Vikings rank sixth in the NFL against running backs in the passing game, giving up just 35 yards through the air to running backs per game. And that’s coming against some of the best receiving running backs like Alvin Kamara, Chris Thompson, Duke Johnson and Theo Riddick.
But this week will be a different type of challenge as they face the Carolina Panthers and first-round pick Christian McCaffrey. Pro Football Focus has tracked McCaffrey as lining up at the running back position for 379 plays, in the slot 93 times, at wideout for 43 snaps, fullback 34 times and even once at tight end.
“You have to be patient with this offense,” linebacker Anthony Barr said. “That’s the biggest thing. You can’t see ghosts because there will be a lot of window dressing, a lot of misdirection, you really have to read your keys this week more than most weeks. They do so much shifting and movements and motions across the screen and flashes and fake handoffs and all sorts of stuff.”
McCaffrey has been targeted 90 times, catching 64 passes for 501 yards. He ranks as PFF’s No. 2 running back in receiving, only behind Kamara.
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/1...challenge/
