4 biggest disappointments from the Vikings loss to the Bucs in Week 1

Disappointment No. 3

Lack of a running game

The Vikings' offseason moves told us that they would be much more committed to running the ball this season. They signed blocking tight end Josh Oliver and also re-signed C.J. Ham. This made many assume that the run game would become a much more focal point of the offense, but it was more of the same against the Bucs in Week 1.

Alexander Mattison ran the ball 11 times for 34 yards. Ty Chandler toted it three times for zero yards, and Kirk Cousins managed to scamper for a few as well. They ran the ball a total of 17 times as opposed to the 44 times Cousins put it up in the air.

Granted, there wasn't a ton of room to run against Vita Vea and Tampa's defensive line, but staying committed to the ground game is key in making it work. Minnesota proved again on Sunday that they are a team that will live and die through the air.

It's who Kevin O'Connell is, and it doesn't matter that they signed a blocking tight end and kept their fullback. The Vikings are just not a running football team. The lack of a ground game was disappointing and a key reason they are starting the season 0-1.