4 ways the Minnesota Vikings can make Sam Darnold’s life hell in Week 6
By Dean Jones
How can the Minnesota Vikings make Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold’s life hell in Week 6?
The Minnesota Vikings have a lot on the line when they travel to take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. This represents a good opportunity for Mike Zimmer’s men to get another win in the column, but there remains much work to do despite securing a last-gasp victory over the Detroit Lions last Sunday.
Carolina has an abundance of talent on both sides of the football. They are led by quarterback Sam Darnold, an offseason acquisition via trade from the New York Jets who started well but has tailed off considerably over the last fortnight.
His three-interception display against the Philadelphia Eagles was proof that the Vikings could have some joy against the signal-caller and Zimmer will be devising a scheme capable of making things extremely uncomfortable in pursuit of success.
With this in mind, here are four ways that the Vikings can make Darnold’s life hell at Bank of America Stadium.
Way No. 1
Neutralize the run game
Christian McCaffrey was ruled out of Sunday’s game despite early rumblings in the week from Carolina’s head coach Matt Rhule who stated it was a “50-50” situation as to whether he would be able to play or not.
Fourth-round pick Chuba Hubbard will likely take a bulk of the Panther’s snaps at running back in Week 6., Taking away the run game and neutralizing Hubbard would be a good way to pile more pressure on Darnold throughout the contest.
Minnesota’s run defense hasn’t exactly been stellar this season, which is a concern. However, the Vikings are coming up against one of the league’s worst offensive lines in Week 6 and this is an area of the field they can dominate.
Stopping the run puts the game in Darnold’s hands. Something he tends to have some trouble with.