Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
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Here are two stats that need to improve in 2020:
1. Offensive penalties
Zimmer wasn't happy with the amount of penalties his team took in the first month or so during the season, and the Vikings eventually turned that around.
By the end of the season, Minnesota averaged exactly six penalties per game, which ended up being the seventh-fewest in the league.
But there was one offensive penalty trend that didn't do the Vikings way in 2019 compared to 2018.
According to league stats, Minnesota was flagged for 43 combined offensive holding and false start penalties that were accepted. The site noted that 23 of those 43 penalties led to a stalled offensive drive for the Vikings.
In 2018, the Vikings had 38 total accepted penalties for offensive holding and false starts, with only 13 being listed as a drive killer.
The Vikings offensive line had a different look in 2019 compared to 2018. While Riley Reiff was the starting left tackle, Pat Elflein switched over to left guard after being the center in the two previous seasons.
Rookie Garrett Bradbury started every game at center, and lined up next to veteran right guard Josh Kline, who was a free-agent addition in the offseason. Brian O'Neill played his first full season as a starter and did not allow a regular-season sack according to the analytics website Pro Football Focus.
2. Fumbles
The Vikings had the exact same number of turnovers in 2019 that they did in 2018, with Minnesota turning the ball over 20 times each season.
While interceptions decrease, fumbles by the Vikings increased. Minnesota coughed the ball up 12 times in 2019, compared to just eight times in 2018.
Cousins and Diggs tied for the team lead with three lost fumbles, while Cook had two fumbles lost. Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, C.J. Ham and Mannion each lost one fumble.
Opposing teams scored half of the time the Vikings fumbled the ball away, although Minnesota's defense allowed just one touchdown on those dozen ensuing possessions.