Minnesota Vikings: Grading the first quarter of the 2018 season

The Vikings haven’t had a passing offense as successful as this season’s in quite a long time. After four games, Minnesota ranks fifth in the NFL in passing yards per game and fourth in league in touchdown passes.

Kirk Cousins was signed last March to upgrade the Vikings’ passing attack and he has definitely done that so far. Of course, having targets like Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs hasn’t hurt either.

Running the ball has been a totally different story for Minnesota this season though. During the last four weeks, the Vikings are averaging a measly 63 rushing yards per game. Only the Arizona Cardinals have a worse average in the NFL this season.

Whether it has been Dalvin Cook or Latavius Murray carrying the ball, the Vikings just haven’t been able to get any sort of satisfying production from their rushing attack in 2018.

Minnesota’s struggles on the offensive line may have just a little bit to do with the team’s lack of running game this season. Saying the Vikings’ offensive line has struggled this year may also be a polite understatement.

To start, Minnesota has already had seven different offensive lineman play at least 75 snaps this season. Their lack of continuity has likely played a big part in their inability to keep the pressure out of Cousins’ face this year too.

The Vikings’ blockers have allowed a total of 91 pressures in 2018, which includes eight quarterback hits, 10 sacks, and 73 hurries. Left tackle Riley Reiff and right guard Mike Remmers have each given up more than 20 pressures so far this season.

If Minnesota is going to achieve any sort of significant success in 2018, they are going to need their offensive line to start doing some actual blocking.