Former UNC running back Ty Chandler’s Sunday afternoon performance nearly helped the Minnesota Vikings win a crucial, playoff-feel clash against the Cincinnati Bengals.
There was concern in Minnesota’s locker room when, during the week, it was announced typical starter Alexander Mattison would miss the Bengals game with an ankle injury. He’d been enjoying a decent season in terms of yardage, rushing for 660 yards across 13 game, but with no touchdowns.
With Mattison out against the Bengals, in stepped Chandler. Vikings fans hoped for a decent game, but what Chandler did gives him serious RB1 consideration going forward.
Chandler exploded for a career-best 132 rushing yards and his second NFL touchdown, almost adding a third before being tackled near the goal line.
This was just Chandler’s fourth game with double-digit carries and 10th overall, but he already has two more touchdowns than his backfield counterpart.
With Chandler’s outburst, which nearly single-handedly gave Minnesota a key victory in its chase for a postseason berth, should he be the new RB1?
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, while not committing to a starter, said Chandler will definitely receive a significant increase in carries going forward.
“There’s no question that I thought Ty had a huge role and impact on the game the other day,” O’Connell told Heavy Sports. “Ty is absolutely a guy that is going to continue to see a featured role in our offense. What that looks like moving forward, as far as who gets the first touch of the game and all those things, we’ll continue to kind of work through based upon what we’re attempting to do scheme-wise.”
This type of production might come as a shock to NFL fans, but it’s the type of production Tar Heel Nation fell in love with during the 2021 UNC football season.
Chandler joined a long list of 1,000-yard rushers in the Carolina record books, totaling 1,092 yards as the Tar Heels ended their 6-7 campaign in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Chandler’s best game came on Nov. 6, 2021 against Wake Forest, as he ran for a season-best 213 yards and four touchdowns.
If you have a Minnesota Vikings game on TV at any future point this season, there’s a good chance you’ll see a lot of Ty Chandler.
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