Minnesota Vikings offensive line Ranked #15 through 4 weeks

The Minnesota Vikings have been struggling mightily in the passing game. Through 4 weeks of the 2015 season, they are ranked #31 in passing yards per game (165.2), #29 in passing first downs (39), tied for last in passing touchdowns (2), and #28 in fewest sacks allowed.

Much of that can be attributed to the crazy number of injuries on the Vikings offensive line to this point. Not only are they without their starting right tackle Phil Loadholt who they lost for the season, but they also have center John Sullivan on short-term injured reserve for a nagging back injury. When you sprinkle in left guard Brandon Fusco’s concussion, you have the makings for a disaster along the offensive line.

However, things haven’t been that bad according to the folks at Pro Football Focus, who gave the Vikings the #15 offensive line so far in 2015. In fact, despite all the problems, Minnesota seem to be a middle of the road passing unit that doesn’t give up a lot of penalties. Here is their analysis on the team’s offensive line play so far:

Pass blocking rank: 16th
Run blocking rank: 17th
Penalties rank: 3rd
Stud: Credit to the versatile Joe Berger (+2.6) for filling in for John Sullivan admirably.
Dud: The team likely didn’t expect T.J. Clemmings (-7.6) to have to start. He’s not ready to go one-on-one with players like Von Miller.
Summary: Given the injuries they’ve had, this can be considered something of a win. Matt Kalil is playing better, Michael Harris looks like a different player at guard, and there’s Sullivan’s return to look forward to.

Oct 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) lays on the ground after being sacked by Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

While Minnesota Vikings fans might disagree with these rankings, there are several reasons these could make sense. First, the team’s pass protection has not been consistent. They seemed to play very well against Detroit and even solid against San Francisco, but really struggle against San Diego and Denver. It could be a balancing of those efforts make the offensive line ranking better than expected.

The biggest reason for the high grade, in my opinion, might be that the major blocking problems for the Minnesota Vikings aren’t coming from the offensive line. We’ve already heard quite a bit about Adrian Peterson’s struggles in pass protection this year, but it hasn’t been discussed enough how much of a disappointment fullback Zach Line has been when he isn’t being a vulture on one yard touchdown runs. When you add in that the tight ends, specifically Kyle Rudolph, have been almost a non-factor in pass protection, we have a situation where the offensive line could be doing okay and look bad because of the supporting cast.

Either way you look at it, this patchwork offensive line seems to be doing things better than many expected, but it still hurts to see the team on track to give up 52 sacks this season and rank so close to the bottom in so many passing statistics. It’s hard to agree with these numbers when we’re watching Teddy Bridgewater run for his life, but they’re the experts…not me.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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