The Viking Age
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3 things the Vikings need to improve heading into Week 9

By Nik Edlund

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 24: Xavier Rhodes #29 of the Minnesota Vikings blocks a pass thrown to wide receiver Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Redskins in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 24: Xavier Rhodes #29 of the Minnesota Vikings blocks a pass thrown to wide receiver Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Redskins in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Pat Elflein
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Pat Elflein /

Accountability

This season, the Vikings have had some players on both sides of the ball struggle at times. But instead of replacing the struggling player with a backup who in all instances probably wouldn’t do any worse, Minnesota continues to roll that underperforming player out series after series, much to the dismay of the Purple faithful.

It’s time for the Vikings to start making these guys accountable for poor play and pulling them for at least a series or two so they know they can, and will, be replaced if their play isn’t up to snuff.

On defense, Minnesota cornerback Xavier Rhodes has been the biggest and most frequent culprit. Not only has he struggled in coverage, giving up big plays to inexperienced players and veterans alike, but his tackling has also been poor.

Rhodes is having issues wrapping up and just making contact in general. With Mike Hughes healthy and Holton Hill back from suspension this week, there is no reason to keep Rhodes out there if his woes continue.

Offensively, the issue primarily rests with one player and that is left guard Pat Eflelin. This season, Elflein has been a turnstile. He gets beaten by opposing defenders multiple times a game and when he isn’t giving up sacks, he is holding on to his man and drawing a flag from the zebras.

Elflein has been a huge disappointment this year. With Dakota Dozier, Brett Jones, and rookie Dru Samia on the team, the Vikings have options behind their starting left guard.

It’s time for Minnesota to pull Elflein when he’s getting flagged or letting Kirk Cousins get destroyed. Any of these other guys can’t be any worse and this is an area the Vikings coaching staff needs to improve for not only Week 9, but for the rest of the season as well.

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