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Vikings 3-0 Lean on Defense and Special Teams While Offense Struggles

The trade of J.J. McCarthy that affirmed Kyler Murray as starter raises pressure because the offense ranks among the league’s worst and opponents have outgained Minnesota by large margins.

Overview

  • The Vikings are 3-0 after a win over the Buccaneers but have been outgained by about 244 total yards through three games, a historic deficit for a team that started 3-0.
  • Minnesota’s defense and special teams powered the Week 3 victory with six sacks, two interceptions and an 86-yard punt-return touchdown by Myles Price.
  • Kyler Murray returned from a concussion in Week 3 and completed 15 of 29 passes for 168 yards with one touchdown and one interception, a performance described as uneven.
  • The team traded former first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants, a roster move widely reported as an affirmation of Murray’s hold on the starting job and an increase in expectations on him.
  • The offense has been the league’s least productive through three weeks with a combined 715 yards and a 30.2% third-down conversion rate, and coach Kevin O’Connell has said he expects the unit to improve as Minnesota prepares to host Miami.