Viking No. 2
Alexander Mattison - RB
Minnesota failed to get anything going on the ground, which forced Kirk Cousins to chuck it 44 times against an experienced secondary. Tampa Bay eventually figured things out and found ways to limit Cousins in the second half, which led to the ultimate demise of the Vikings offensively.
Following the departure of Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison has been heralded as the new starting running back despite never really proving that he was capable of taking on such a role. Unsurprisingly to some, Mattison was absent in the run game, rushing 11 times for just 34 yards.
Don't get me wrong, Mattison made some good plays and finished through contact a lot, which was a good sign for the type of player he is. However, Mattison also struggled in pass protection and did not give Cousins a safety blanket as a runner or receiver. On Minnesota's first drive of the game, Mattison whiffed on a block as Antoine Winfield Jr. crushed Cousins in the backfield and forced an incompletion.
Ty Chandler looked good in his limited role, and it would make sense to use him more on third downs to create after the catch if things are not open down the field. In his first true start without the threat of Dalvin Cook taking his job back, Alexander Mattison left a lot on the table.