The Minnesota Vikings are going to have a different look on offense when they host the Indianapolis Colts Sunday night, and they hope to have a significant player return to the lineup on defense.
The Vikings have played something of a slow down offense this season, especially in recent weeks. They had a significant turnover problem in 2023, and it’s clear that Kevin O’Connell wants to avoid a similar situation this year with Sam Darnold at quarterback.
After some spectacular success early in the season – Darnold hooked up with Justin Jefferson on a 97-yard TD pass in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers – there has been a slowdown in production. The Vikings regularly get off to good starts in the first quarter but have slowed down in recent weeks against the Jets, Lions and Rams.
That has a chance to change as T.J. Hockenson finally returns to the lineup after missing nearly a full calendar year following two torn ligaments in his right knee. Hockenson has been practicing without limitations, and O’Connell said that the stellar tight end will not be on any kind of a pitch count against the Jaguars.
This will take quite a bit of pressure off Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and likely to have a significant impact on third-down play calls and red zone situations. Hockenson’s ability to wall off defenders with his big body means that the Vikings should be able to keep key drives alive in the third and fourth quarters.
Darnold is hoping that new acquisition Cam Robinson can step in and play right away following the Christian Darrisaw season-ending ACL injury. The Vikings acquired Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a conditional fifth-round pick that could elevate to a fourth-rounder depending on Robinson’s playing time with the Vikings.
Robinson is not as good or consistent as Darrisaw at left tackle, but he represents a much better option than David Quessenberry. After Darrisaw got injured at the end of the first half against the Rams, the Vikings attempted to force feed Quessenberry into the left tackle spot.
He was not athletic enough and he did not appear to be prepared for the assignment of slowing down the pass rush. Things could change after a week, but not by that much.
It would be beneficial to play Robinson on key downs. Not only because he understands what is required of playing left tackle, but because he came from the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played against the Colts twice a year, and he is quite familiar with Indianapolis edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo. While Odeyingbo is not a big name in NFL circles, he comes into this game with 3.0 sacks and 5 tackles for loss.
LB Blake Cashman may be Minnesota’s most important defensive player. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty … [+]
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The return of Hockenson is a virtual certainty, but the same cannot be said for linebacker Blake Cashman. He has missed the last two games with a turf toe injury, and the Vikings defense has allowed eight passing touchdowns without him. He may be the most versatile performer on the Minnesota defense.
Cashman practiced Wednesday and looked good, but how he returns Thursday from his turf toe injury and how hard he can practice may determine his avialability against the Colts. This is a decision that is likely to come down to Sunday morning.
This is basically a must game for the Vikings because another loss would have them clearly in the middle of a losing cycle and a three-game losing streak in the NFL’s best division. The Lions are not going to fall off and the Packers are likely to improve. If the Vikings are going to have a legitimate shot at winning the division for the second time in three years, they can’t let the opportunity of a home game against the Colts slip through their grasp.
At one point, this seemed like it would be an easy game. While they were ripping off five straight wins to start the season, the three-week stretch against the Colts, Jaguars and Tennessee Titans looked easy.
The Vikings have not won a game since Week 5 and suddenly nothing looks easy. They have to find a way to steady the ship and pick up their sixth win of the season.