3 ways the Vikings can turn their 2021 season around.

Change #1: More Aggressive Offensive Tendency

The Minnesota Vikings have a top-five skill position group in the NFL. Between Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen, they have arguably the best trio of weapons on offense out of any team in the league. So why does this team struggle to put up points in the second half of games? The answer is pretty clear, the team completely changes their offensive game plan after they finish off their first and second scripted drives of the game.

The Vikings have had quick starts in most of their games, scoring on 7 of their 8 opening drives so far this season, the exception being week one against Cincinnati. Minnesota is ranked 7th in the league in points per game in the first half this season (13.8), but they are the only team ranked inside the top eight that has a losing record. That’s because, in the second half, the Vikings rank 26th in point per game (9.8). A 4 point swing from the first to second half might not seem like a lot, but when watching the Vikings, you can see just how many points they are leaving on the table in the second half on offense.

When looking at the Vikings, they are a completely different team in the second half. They shy away from taking risks and stay conservative to avoid making mistakes. Which would be fine if this was a winning football team that has shown the ability to play well with the lead and keep it. But the Vikings have failed to do so, between countless blown double-digit leads and missed opportunities late in games, the Vikings cannot be a team that lacks aggression with offensive play calling.

If Minnesota is wanting to win more games, and keep their leads heading into the 4th quarter, they have got to keep their foot on the gas offensively. Kubiak has to find a way to get more creative on offense and keep defenses guessing. One of the ways he can do that is by utilizing his stars. There is no reason why C.J Ham and Tyler Conklin should be getting more targets than Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Dialing up more plays beyond the sticks to keep drives sustainable should help the Vikings put up more points in the second half, and allow Minnesota to keep playing with the lead and not have to rely on a game-winning drive to bring them back to victory.

However, the change in tendency isn’t all on the coaching staff. Yes, they are the ones calling the conservative game plan in the second half, but the veteran quarterback has to start making bigger plays more often.