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Jerick McKinnon’s Quest To Find The Endzone Continues

By Adam Carlson

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The NFL is entering week 13.  Rookie running back Jerick McKinnon is having himself a good year so far, rushing for 538 yards on 113 carries (an average of 4.8 yards per carry).  He’s even added 27 catches for 135 receiving yards.  But the big statistic that stands out for McKinnon is his lack of a touchdown.

Nov 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (31) in their game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

That’s right, Jerick McKinnon had the ball in his hands for 140 plays so far and has yet to find paydirt in the NFL.  In fact, McKinnon has the most rushing yards in the NFL of all players who haven’t scored a single touchdown.

Not all of that his his fault though.  He’s had to deal with Matt Asiata vulturing the goal line plays and a complete mess in the offensive line.  Despite those issues, McKinnon’s longest carry of the year is 55 yards.  He is a home run threat waiting to happen.  But when Jerick McKinnon’s time be?

It could come this week, when the Minnesota Vikings will have the Carolina Panthers come to town.  Carolina has a below average run defense, giving up 119.1 rushing yards per game (11th worst in the NFL) and average an allowed 4.4 yards per carry (tied for 7th worst in the league).  However, the Panthers give up the 4th most points in the league on the ground, allowing their opponents to score 13 rushing touchdowns against them this year (second worst in the NFL).

This is one of those situations where something will have to give.  Will the Carolina Panthers play a better game defensively against the run than in the past?  Or will Jerick McKinnon finally find the end zone?  Discuss what you think will happen Sunday in the comments below.

**UPDATE**

On 11/18/14, it was announced that Jerick McKinnon would miss the game against the Panthers with a back injury.  His quest to find the endzone will have to be put on hold until he is healthy again.

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