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Yesterday, we received confirmation that Davante Adams requested a trade from the Raiders. It’s about time. Vegas wants a second-round pick and more, plus Adams’ acquiring team would owe his remaining base salary of $13.5 million.
It won’t be the Chiefs, who would need to free up $10 million in cap space — and probably change divisions — but the Jets ($16 million in cap space), Browns ($44 million) or Steelers ($10 million) could make it work. I see the Commanders ($25 million and with an extra third after the Jahan Dotson trade) as the best landing spot.
We’ll keep you updated, but let’s shift to Minnesota:
Vikings are 4-0: Yes, Darnold & Co. are contenders
The last time a Vikings season started 4-0 (or 5-0), they collapsed midseason, finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. But that was 2016, with Mike Zimmer and Sam Bradford, and this Minnesota team feels different. It all comes down to schemes.
Offense: Schemed simplicity
In truth, they look more like the 2023 49ers, who also started 4-0 by pairing an offensive minded-head coach and a strong run game with a better-than-expected quarterback.
Ted Nguyen explained how HC Kevin O’Connell makes it easier on Sam Darnold by scheming Justin Jefferson open. In the below example, by shifting the tight end to the right side of the field and having the receiver opposite Jefferson run a deep post, both safeties were occupied. This cleared Jefferson (bottom of your screen) to work one-on-one against the corner:
That rarely ends well for any defense, and in this case, led to a big completion.
While the scheme makes life easier, the QB is still Sam Darnold, a career journeyman to this point. Minnesota has seven turnovers — third-most in the NFL — while his three interceptions and four fumbles (one lost) remain near his career per-game averages.
This is critically important, because as Alec Lewis noted in his own look at whether the Vikings’ start is sustainable, O’Connell is 21-0 during his Vikings tenure if he avoids losing the turnover battle, something that plagued this team last year.
That’s where their defense comes in.
Defense: Schemed chaos
Brian Flores’ unit is No. 2 in takeaways per game, has deflected 32 passes in four games (seven more than any other team) and leads the NFL with 17 sacks.
How? For one, they’ve had plenty of opportunities: Minnesota has spent an NFL-low three minutes trailing and has faced a league-high 200 dropbacks, nearly a full game’s more (23) than the next team.
They also benefit from Flores’ reputation (no, not his reputation for insulting quarterbacks). Last year, he sent six-man pass rushes at nearly double the rate of any other team. So it’s understandable that a quarterback who sees six potential blitzers feels stressed — and then surprised when the Vikings instead drop into coverage. They are No. 2 in pressure rate when rushing just four players.
Quarterbacks can never trust what the Vikings initially show. In the below example, highlighted by Alec, the defense presents a man-coverage look, but when Stroud drops back, they fall into zone. See for yourself:
Their ability to disguise looks, drop seven and still bring pressure is why their defensive DVOA (-34.5 percent) is nearly double the second-best defense, New Orleans (-17.5).
What’s next?
As Mike Sando noted in his Pick Six column, since 1989, 47 teams have started 4-0 with a cumulative point differential of at least 50 (the Vikings are at 57), and nearly 40 percent of those teams reached the Super Bowl. 👀
Their remaining schedule doesn’t hurt those odds:
But despite success on both sides of the football and a winnable schedule, there are issues to address. As Alec wrote, cracks in the foundation showed as Green Bay outscored Minnesota 22-3 in the second half of Sunday’s game, exposing vulnerabilities in Flores’ defense — by stalling the pass rush, playing with pace and targeting holes in the secondary — and stacking the box against Aaron Jones and the run game while Darnold turned the ball over twice.
Still, we’ll add an asterisk there, as the Vikings had already been up three scores by halftime. And don’t forget, this is all without first-round QB J.J. McCarthy and star TE T.J. Hockenson (more info below on his upcoming return), along with minimal production from their other first-round pick, edge rusher Dallas Turner (five tackles, one sack).
They could be better, yet they are rightfully in the top spot of The Athletic’s Power Rankings. Vibes are good in Minnesota. Now for news on their next opponent:
What Dianna’s Hearing: A Rodgers want and worry
Aaron Rodgers and the Jets have been monitoring Davante Adams’ situation since last year. Rodgers has been pushing the front office to get his former teammate and good friend to New York before the trade deadline in early November.
But the 40-year-old quarterback has some more immediate issues as he and the Jets prepare for the undefeated Vikings in London. Appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Rodgers admitted he’s “a little banged up” and his knee is “a little swollen” following a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos that he believes was an “outlier.”
I’d expect Brian Flores and his Minnesota defense to attack often, testing both this Jets offensive line and Rodgers’ left knee.
Back to you, Jacob.
Updates on PUP list: From Chubb to Hockenson
A quick update on five key players who began the year on the PUP:
RB Nick Chubb: He’s has been squatting 500-plus pounds since July and is expected to return to Browns practice today, though it’s unclear when he’ll play his first game.
RB Jonathan Brooks: Last week, Panthers HC Dave Canales said Brooks — the first RB drafted this year — is in the final stages of returning to play. Week 6 or 7 look likely for his debut.
WR Kendrick Bourne: The Patriots’ best receiver last year is “about ready to go,” according to HC Jerod Mayo, and is expected to be eased into action over the next few weeks.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.: He’s been practicing with the Dolphins this week for the first time since they signed him in May. Expect a multi-week ramp-up period here, too.
TE T.J. Hockenson: It might be another two weeks before we see the Vikings star return, as HC Kevin O’Connell alluded to waiting until after the bye to open his 21-day practice window.
As for yesterday’s most clicked: Jake Ciely’s Week 5 waivers column.
Thanks for joining us this morning, we’ll see you tomorrow!
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