Vikings have one of the NFL’s biggest early-season advantages originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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As the NFL’s Week 4 gets underway, there’s no shortage of action happening around the league. The Minnesota Vikings are undefeated heading into their game against the Miami Dolphins, and it’s quite impressive.
So, Kevin O’Connell is proving the naysayers wrong, and so is quarterback Kyler Murray. Fresh off his gig with the Arizona Cardinals, Murray is showing up and delivering when it counts.
Amid the Week 4 excitement, Jonathan Jones of The Athletic is pointing out a way the Vikings are quietly succeeding that’s not as talked about.
The Vikings’ special teams are making a difference
He points out that the Vikings have one of the NFL’s biggest early-season advantages. That advantage is specifically special teams.
“The 3-0 Vikings have had arguably the best special teams group in the league through the early portion of the season,” he states in the article.
He also notes that the Vikings’ special teams EPA is 11.3, which is second-best in the league. Will Reichard is seven-for-seven on field goals, and the Vikings have also blocked a field goal. Myles Price has an 86-yard punt-return touchdown, the NFL’s only special-teams TD at that point. These are all reasons to believe in Minnesota.
“The average starting position after kickoff returns is 4 yards better than league average, while opponents are starting nearly a yard back compared to the league’s norm,” he adds. “Complementary football, baby.”
So, while the Vikings’ offense and defense are holding up, it’s really their special teams that deserve some attention.
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