5 biggest takeaways from the Vikings loss to the Ravens in Week 9
By Adam Carlson
Game-planning is still highly questionable
Coming into this game, the strategy the Vikings needed to employ was a simple one. The best chance the team had was to attack the struggling pass defense of the Ravens and challenge them to make tackles and create punts.
Instead, Minnesota opted to continue to pound the football into the Baltimore defenders. Dalvin Cook had one great run for 66 yards. Outside of that, the Vikings rushed 23 times for 65 yards, with Alexander Mattison being extremely disappointing by picking up zero yards on four rushes.
Kirk Cousins threw the ball 28 times despite facing a defense known for giving up a ton of yards against the pass. Minnesota only challenged the secondary a few times but found success on a 50-yard pass to Jefferson, a 27-yard throw to C.J. Ham, and a 20-yard strike to K.J. Osborn.
The Vikings averaged 11 yards per pass and should have put the ball in the air more often. Minnesota once again attacked one of the biggest strengths of the opposing defense instead of attacking its weaknesses. This is on the coaching staff to make these adjustments each week.