6 bold Minnesota Vikings predictions for the rest of the 2023 season
By Chris Schad
4. Alexander Mattison will wind up with one of the worst rushing seasons in Vikings history
The Vikings made a wise decision by releasing Dalvin Cook this offseason, but their succession plan hasn’t had the results they were hoping for. Alexander Mattison has been a disappointment in the starting role and could be on his way to posting one of the worst seasons for a running back in franchise history.
Mattison enters Sunday on pace to record 230 carries on the season. If he continues to post his career-low 3.8 yards per carry, it would be the third-lowest mark by a running back in franchise history (min. 230 carries), trailing Chuck Forman, who had 3.2 yards per carry in 1978 and Bill Brown, who had 3.6 yards per carry in 1966.
Mattison would also be tied with Foreman’s 1975 season (3.8 ypc) and be the fourth player in Vikings history to post under four yards per carry, along with Ted Brown (3.9 ypc in 1981).
The Vikings tried to boost their backfield with the acquisition of Cam Akers, but that experiment failed after suffering a torn Achilles for the second time in the past four seasons. Ty Chandler hasn’t earned the trust of the coaching staff, and DeWayne McBride hasn’t been able to get off the practice squad after a disappointing preseason.
This leaves Mattison as the Vikings' bell cow in the second half, and it could lead to some dubious numbers.