Offensive adjustment is key to Vikings’ success
Minnesota Vikings’ offensive coordinator Norv Turner was often criticized for his conservative and one-dimensional game planning in 2015. They often came out swinging but then lacked the ability to make the necessary adjustment. The predictable playcalling posed little challenge for opposing defenses as they were largely able to keep the Vikings’ offense in check.
For the Vikings’ offense to take the next step they are going to need Turner to make the needed in-game adjustment to stay ahead of opposing defenses. Without an ability to make even an adequate adjustment, Turner’s game plan is limited to their opening drive and a few trick or gadget plays, like wide receiver runs.
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Though the Vikings offense ranked in the bottom of the NFL last year, one of the things they did well was come out strong on opening drives. They averaged 39.9 yards on opening drives and scored on seven out of 16 of them. Unfortunately they were not able to carry that momentum throughout the game and averaged just 30.2 yards per drive after the first quarter. There is quite a dramatic drop off from the start of the game to the finish.
This can be largely attributed to Turner’s ability to game plan opening drives. Often opening drives are planned by the offensive coordinator and rehearsed by the offense throughout the week at practice. The key of the opening drive is to locate opposing defenses’ weaknesses and adjust the offense accordingly to exploit them.
The goal is to build off of the opening drive and make the necessary in-game adjustment to stay ahead of opposing defenses. Being able to build on the success from earlier in the game is absolutely critical to sustaining success throughout the game. To do this, Turner and the Vikings need to focus on what made plays successful and not the play itself.
Turner’s game planning was far too predictable inside and outside of the red zone. 13 of the Viking’s first offensive plays were Peterson runs. The offense finished 2015 with the fifth most rushing attempts on first down. Defenses had little trouble game planning against the Vikings’ offense which was one of the least productive in the league. This will have to change in 2016 if they are to have any shot of making it to the Super Bowl, let alone winning the big game.
The predictability of the Vikings’ offense has left many fans calling for a more balanced attack in 2016. It is difficult for fans to sit back and enjoy a conservative game plan. No one wants to see the offense held back by a conservative approach to the game that only limits the offenses opportunities. For the Vikings to succeed this year, Turner needs to change the game plan and put the ball in Bridgewater’s hands more.
– Miles Dittberner, is a Managing Editor at cover32 and covers the Minnesota Vikings. Like and follow vikings32 on on Facebook and Twitter.
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