4 ways the Minnesota Vikings can make Sam Darnold’s life hell in Week 6
By Dean Jones
Turn up the heat
As the old saying goes, pressure breaks pipes.
The Minnesota Vikings must turn up the heat on Sam Darnold and what can only be described as a torrid offensive line outside of Taylor Moton, who is one of the league’s best right tackles and was paid accordingly this offseason.
If it wasn’t for Moton, there’s just no telling how bad this Carolina Panthers protection would be.
Cam Erving is back at practice and could slot into his left tackle spot. However, his ability to secure Darnold’s blindside has been nothing short of inept and the Vikings should have their way with the former first-round pick.
We’ve already touched on the interior struggles, which are glaring.
Minnesota’s defensive front should be chomping at the bit ahead of this weekend’s game. It will take a miraculous turnaround from the Panthers in a short space of time to provide more consistent production in front of Darnold.
Carolina chose to rely on underperforming veterans and waited until Round 3 of the draft to strengthen this area, passing on prospects such as Rashawn Slater, Samuel Cosmi, and Christian Darrisaw, who could make his first Vikings start on Sunday.
Must Read. 3 Minnesota Vikings players who could see a depth chart demotion soon. light
Darnold is under increasing pressure as the murmurs of discontent grow. So the Vikings should blitz often, take away screens, and try to make the signal-caller conjure something up from his back foot.