Finding a style that works today

[purplefaithful]

The Vikings ran the ball on 55.7% of their offensive plays, the highest single-game rate under O’Connell (according to NFL Next Gen Stats) and just the ninth time in the coach’s 64 regular-season games they have run more than 50% of the time. 

They made the runs count, gaining 162 yards on the ground and averaging 0.25 expected points per run, which was a higher rate than in any game under O’Connell other than their Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions last year.

They built it out of heavy personnel groups, using tight ends T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver and Ben Sims for a combined 95 snaps while playing C.J. Ham for 26 of their 64 offensive snaps, using the fullback as a pass blocker or receiving option on 10 snaps while making him a run blocker on 16. The Vikings had multiple tight ends or running backs on the field for nine of McCarthy’s 23 pass attempts; McCarthy’s first completion, to Sims, and his first touchdown pass to Oliver, an 18-yarder, came out of three-tight end sets.

It made the Vikings more efficient through the air, too. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Vikings averaged 0.36 expected points per pass play Sunday, their highest figure of the season and their first with a positive EPA-per-play average with McCarthy as the starter.

Effectively, the Vikings ran something closer to what McCarthy directed at Michigan, whose 563 runs over 15 games during the quarterback’s final year there ranked seventh in the nation, according to Sports Info Solutions.

The way the Vikings played against Washington works best when they have a lead, which might have been another reason why O’Connell took the ball after they won the coin toss, and while they can pair that offensive style with a defense that’s at its best when pressuring quarterbacks, it’s not as feasible if they’re playing from behind and asking McCarthy to play a dropback game.

They will want the quarterback to grow, and they will need to find ways to get the ball to Justin Jefferson, who again was limited, recording two catches on just four targets Sunday. But as McCarthy hit Jordan Addison for 21 yards on a corner route off the Smash concept the Vikings ran in the second quarter, Jefferson (who was running a short hitch on the play) pointed at the quarterback and clapped.

“Justin’s the first progression on the play,” O’Connell said. “He knows he’s covered by a defender that, as you draw it up, probably should be in that area. J.J., in rhythm, takes a second hitch and throws the ball to the void, and Jordan goes and gets the gets the ball.

For the Vikings on Sunday, it worked. As lofty a goal as it was to build a team that can win multiple ways en route to a deep playoff run, the Vikings needed to start with a style that was compatible with how McCarthy is playing now. They seemed to realize it last week, and against the Commanders, they put it into action for the quarterback’s best day of the season.

“When you’re trying to make a game plan friendly for the quarterback, there’s a lot of layers to it,” O’Connell said Monday. “The word ‘simplification’ is getting thrown out. If it was that simple, I would probably get a lot more rest throughout the week. But you’re trying to call it in a way where you’re continuing to maintain the principles of how we want to play. So decision-making, execution, no matter what you’re calling, it’s got to be what it was now. It’s just going to be a consistency factor for all of us.”

Strib

[MAD GAINZ]

I mean at this point I'd say KOC fell victim to the one thing he didn't want to do (organizations fail young QBs more than young QBs fail organizations).

Hopefully he figured out that you need to dial up concepts and a game plan that works for your young QB and not dial up a bunch of complex route combos, pass heavy gameplan, etc that requires more of a mental load for your young QB, all while preaching mechanics and consistency.

Build the foundation and when he has mastered that, then you can feed him more.

[StickierBuns]

I mean at this point I'd say KOC fell victim to the one thing he didn't want to do (organizations fail young QBs more than young QBs fail organizations).

Hopefully he figured out that you need to dial up concepts and a game plan that works for your young QB and not dial up a bunch of complex route combos, pass heavy gameplan, etc that requires more of a mental load for your young QB, all while preaching mechanics and consistency.

Build the foundation and when he has mastered that, then you can feed him more.

IMO, what changed for the better was getting off of JJ's ass about throwing mechanics. Of course we need to stack some decent games here before we ascertain anything, but although his mechanics aren't perfect, they sure aren't dogshit either. KOC laid off the gas that way for the Washington game and it SEEMED like it made a difference. But we need more reps and games to see if its an anomaly or a trend. Hopefully JJ can do the one-step-back, two-steps forward thing here. The road will still have bumps.

[MaroonBells]

IMO, what changed for the better was getting off of JJ's ass about throwing mechanics. Of course we need to stack some decent games here before we ascertain anything, but although his mechanics aren't perfect, they sure aren't dogshit either. KOC laid off the gas that way for the Washington game and it SEEMED like it made a difference. But we need more reps and games to see if its an anomaly or a trend. Hopefully JJ can do the one-step-back, two-steps forward thing here. The road will still have bumps.

Agree. Just taking that one piece off his list of things to process was probably helpful. I'm obviously not a QB coach, but I don't think McCarthy's mechanics are really that bad. His alignment isn't far off. That leg whip? Who gives a shit? Work on them in the offseason. 

One QB known for his elite mechanics is Aaron Rodgers. But it didn't start out that way. Here's a clip of Rodgers in a preseason game his rookie season. Watch this and you will feel a lot better about McCarthy's mechanics. 

[StickierBuns]

Agree. Just taking that one piece off his list of things to process was probably helpful. I'm obviously not a QB coach, but I don't think McCarthy's mechanics are really that bad. His alignment isn't far off. That leg whip? Who gives a shit? Work on them in the offseason. 

One QB known for his elite mechanics is Aaron Rodgers. But it didn't start out that way. Here's a clip of Rodgers in a preseason game his rookie season. Watch this and you will feel a lot better about McCarthy's mechanics. 

If I see one more online 'expert' talk about JJ's leg whip, I'm going to f-cking vomit. Its the least worrisome part of any throwing mechanics: he's already gotten the necessary torque from his lower body when he releases that leg. He uses his waist, thighs and legs as a platform, that's key. JJ said he did 'a lot less thinking' in the Washington game....for fuck sake KOC, take note of that.

[badgervike]

The reality is the Washington game didn't really tell us anything about our offense. Their decimated defense played zone practically the whole game and didn't blitz. That makes it easier for a young QB to figure out what his options were pre-snap. Washington's defense was ranked 31st against the run so of course we're going to try to pound the rock..and after getting up a few TDs with Daniels out...obviously we're going to keep running the ball and throwing to the TEs on late releases which are effective against the zone

It will be interesting to see what we do this week.

[purplefaithful]

There’s a sequence from Sunday’s 31-0 rout of the Washington Commanders, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s first time throwing for three touchdowns in a game, that has stayed with him this week.

It came when he threw two incompletions and rewarded the defense — and specifically outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who had just made an interception — with just 3 yards and three points on the ensuing drive.

“Going three and out there is something that sits with us as an offense, me personally,” McCarthy said Wednesday. “Just making sure we capitalize on those turnovers, because that changes the momentum of the entire game.”

McCarthy is seeking consistency under the prime-time lights at “Jerry World,” or AT&T Stadium, where the Vikings will travel to play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. Finding completions will remain his focus after throwing a career-high 69.6% completion rate against Washington.

“That’s something I expect every week,” McCarthy said, “to go out there and execute at a high level, but it’s about being consistent. That’s the true measure of performance is consistency and making sure we can do it over and over again.”

Consistency is the mantra as McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of Michigan, has improved his NFL-low 56% completion rate with back-to-back outings over 60%.

“How many times can I put it in play as quickly and efficiently as possible?” McCarthy said. “Because that’s just stacking positive plays and that’s continuing the momentum.”

Production remains a work in progress as his 156-yard average ranks 30th.

The Cowboys (6-6-1) could provide opportunities for growth. Only the Cincinnati Bengals, a team the Vikings beat 48-10 in Week 3, have allowed more points or more yards per play than the Cowboys. Dallas is surrendering 6 yards per snap and 29.7 points per game despite fielding veteran pass rushers like Quinnen Williams, Jadeveon Clowney and Kenny Clark.

The Cowboys’ pass rush has produced a high pressure rate (32.2%) but an average sack total (29) through 13 games.

“Really good on the interior,” McCarthy said. “It’s going to be a test for us up front. They got maybe Trevon [Diggs] back. The linebackers are extremely athletic, extremely physical. We’re going to have our work cut out for us.”

Coaches praised McCarthy’s decisiveness against Washington. He appeared to speed up with shallower first-read throws and progressed quickly when the initial option wasn’t open. His average time to throw of 2.35 seconds ranked second in the NFL in Week 14 behind only the Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff (2.33), according to Pro Football Focus.

“The best thing we can do for him is try to put together a plan that gets guys open,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “Gets No. 1 open more often than not is ideal. Not always going to happen, but you’re trying to find ways to attack the defense and at the same time do things our guys do well.”

“He owned the plan,” Phillips added. “Didn’t feel forced out there. Felt like he was working through the progressions, had good feet for the most part.”

Finding wide receiver Justin Jefferson might help with the lack of production. Despite McCarthy’s high completion rate the last two games, Jefferson has caught just four passes for 15 yards as McCarthy has struggled to find completions farther downfield.

“He sees the game completely different than I do,” McCarthy said. “It’s just growing along the way. We’re seeing new defenses, going against new players, new coaches, and there’s going to be more obstacles that come. And it’s just how good is our communication and our relationship to overcome those?”

STRIB

[MaroonBells]

The reality is the Washington game didn't really tell us anything about our offense.  Their decimated defense played zone practically the whole game and didn't blitz.  That makes it easier for a young QB to figure out what his options were pre-snap.  Washington's defense was ranked 31st against the run so of course we're going to try to pound the rock..and after getting up a few TDs with Daniels out...obviously we're going to keep running the ball and throwing to the TEs on late releases which are effective against the zone

It will be interesting to see what we do this week.

Still, they took the 11-2 Broncos to overtime the week before. And the Viking didn't beat them 14-10. They beat them 31-0. There are no easy teams in the NFL. I think more than anything, what it told us is that the Vikings defense can play with anyone provided the offense doesn't turn the ball over. This will be even more important in Dallas.

[StickierBuns]

Still, they took the 11-2 Broncos to overtime the week before. And the Viking didn't beat them 14-10. They beat them 31-0. There are no easy teams in the NFL. I think more than anything, what it told us is that the Vikings defense can play with anyone provided the offense doesn't turn the ball over. This will be even more important in Dallas.

Yeah, don't get the complete dismissal of the win or the performance by JJ. I guess its just the shitty plays that count? The Cowboys game will be a more difficult task, no doubt, but 31-0 is a drubbing win against any team.