5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers – Week 6
By Chris Schad
Minnesota will pressure Darnold on 50 percent of his dropbacks
One of the interesting notes on Sunday’s game is that both offenses are mirror images of each other. Both are led by superstar (and mostly injured) running backs, have a quarterback that struggles under pressure, and a below-average offensive line. The good news for the Vikings is that they have the defense to exploit that.
Of the Panthers’ starting lineman, only Taylor Moton (71.8) has a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade over 70. Center Matt Paradis (51.9) is barely over 50 and John Miller is fifth among guards with 17 pressures allowed.
With this group in front of him, Sam Darnold has been pressured on 38.1 percent of his dropbacks. That number is the seventh-highest in the NFL this season and has produced the eighth-lowest passer rating under pressure at 59.6.
This is fine when Darnold has a check-down option like Christian McCaffrey. But with the star running back a game-time decision, he may not have that luxury against the Vikings’ defense.
Getting pressure on Darnold may have been a problem last season, but Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen look like the pass-rushing tandem they were in 2019. With little protection in front of Darnold, the Vikings should be able to get to him.