Tag: Brandon Powell

Breaking down Nick Mullens’ game-ending INT, why didn’t he throw to Brandon Powell?

Tyler Forness breaks down the final interception from Nick Mullens and explains why he didn’t throw it to a wide open Brandon Powell

Sometimes when you see an interception thrown my the quarterback, especially one that is a backup like Minnesota Vikings QB Nick Mullens, it’s easy to place the blame on the quarterback. They are the one who makes the decision and throw that results in the interception.

However, it’s not always that simple. Yes, their pass resulted in an interception, but was it bad process? How did the result happen? The full answer lies in the process that Mullens used, especially when you see someone like Brandon Powell wide open with his arms up.

First, let’s talk about the formation. They start in a 3×2 set with Ham motioning in as an extra pass protector. Justin Jefferson is in the inside slot with Brandon Powell between him and K.J. Osborn. Having Jefferson in the slot will give him a free release and that’s key here.

The concept here is dual crossers from the strong side with a Y-cross from the far side with Johnny Mundt. It’s design is to put the safeties in conflict and in doing so, creates an opening for Jefferson at the top of the screen. Jefferson widens his route to create some extra space with the safety up top to make the throw a little easier for Mullens.

The progression has Powell, who runs into the flat as an outlet, essentially meaning that he’s an afterthought of the play. Mullens sees that Jefferson gets open and makes the correct read to get him the football. Unfortunately, the pass comes out of his hand like a wounded duck and it gets intercepted by Ifeatu Melifonwu.

The question that everybody had after the game was: Why didn’t Mullens throw the ball to Powell? The answer is simple.

Jefferson was open for a touchdown.

Yes, it stinks that pass got intercepted. Yes, the throw was bad but the process to make the decision to target Jefferson was smart. A good throw makes this a touchdown. Considering multiple factors, including you need a touchdown to win the game at the end, Mullens used the right process, he just can’t throw up a wounded duck. That is what you get with a backup quarterback at times and it’s beyond frustrating.

When the Vikings look to determine their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, process is going to be more of a deciding factor than strictly results, but you still have to make the throws.

In conclusion, it’s fine to be mad at the result because of a wonky throw that only happens once out of every 100 attempts, but throwing to Powell for him to only gain 10 yards when the touchdown was there isn’t something worth being mad at. In fact, it would have some fighting against Kevin O’Connell for being “too conservative” as a playcaller.

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ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky breaks down Vikings failed tush push

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky gives a detailed breakdown of the failed tush push that doomed the Vikings chances in overtime.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky broke down the details surrounding the failed tush push that doomed the Minnesota Vikings in their 27-24 overtime loss against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Orlovsky was a quarterback in the NFL for 13 years before becoming the analyst we know today. He knows a thing or two about the quarterback sneak, and the Bengals deserve their kudos for making the Vikings play for their below-average execution on this play.

Orlovsky outlined the pre-snap movements that triggered the Bengals to prepare for the sneak. The motion of Brandon Powell behind quarterback Nick Mullens and Mullens’ step back to prepare to vault forward were prime indicators for the Bengals’ defensive tackles to jump the snap and beat the Vikings’ interior to the spot, rendering the sneak useless.

Football is a game of inches. It’s a game of minor details that, if executed, can make or break a game or even a season. Minnesota had a chance to close this game out. They were only a few yards away from field goal range and taking firm control of their playoff future. Instead, they sit at 7-7, adding to the logjam of teams battling for the final two NFC wild-card spots.

WATCH all 30 Vikings touchdowns from 2023 season

Relive every one of the Vikings 30 touchdowns through 12 games.

The Minnesota Vikings sit at 6-6 heading into their bye week. In those 12 games, they have found a way to amass 30 touchdowns.

The defense has found their way into the end zone multiple times as well, with D.J. Wonnum and Jordan Hicks finding the end zone. Interestingly enough, the Vikings won both games where the defense scored.

The offense has found its way into the end zone 28 times with rookie Jordan Addison scoring seven of them. 23 of their touchdowns have come through the air and five of them have come on the ground with all five of those coming from week eight and beyond.

With the bye week here, relive every Vikings touchdown from the all-22 view.

Vikings snap count analysis: Powell clear WR3, Blackmon emerges at CB

Chris Spooner takes a look at a few interesting notes from the Minnesota Vikings’ snap counts from the Monday Night Football loss to the Chicago Bears.

The Minnesota Vikings have now dropped back-to-back games coming off their five-game win streak with another tough loss, this time at the hands of the Chicago Bears by a score of 12-10.

The Vikings defense did all it could to keep the team in the game, keeping Justin Fields and the Bears offense largely in check. Chicago failed to score a touchdown all night, and the defense was able to get not one, but two key turnovers late.

However, the offense was unable to capitalize and gave the Bears defense four turnovers of their own on the night to become the first team all year to lose a game while not allowing a touchdown to the opponent.

While the loss is disappointing, there were some interesting notes from the Vikings snap counts from the game. Here’s the breakdown.

4 Vikings storylines to watch in Week 12 vs. Bears

There will be many storylines to keep tabs on Monday night

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Chicago Bears in an important NFC North division battle on Monday night.

The game became even more important, as the Green Bay Packers gifted the Vikings a Detroit Lions loss by beating them 29-22 on Thanksgiving Day. It’s even more important after the Vikings lost to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night. The Vikings currently sit two games down from the Lions and can climb within 1.5 games with a win on Monday night.

As we approach the game on Monday night, there are multiple ways we will preview the game. These four storylines will be worth keeping your eye on during Monday night football.

Vikings Game: Live updates from Vikings at Broncos in Week 11

Follow along for live updates throughout Sunday night football as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Denver Broncos.

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Denver Broncos on Sunday night.

Throughout the game, we will be breaking down the big moments on each drive, keeping you updated throughout if you can’t watch the game live.

Follow along all night as the Vikings look to extend their winning streak to six games.

4 offensive keys for Vikings vs. Broncos

Minnesota’s offense has been on a tear with Dobbs at the helm. To continue, they will need to follow these four keys to victory on Sunday.

What was once labeled as a throwaway game a few weeks ago has suddenly become one of the more interesting matchups on the docket for week 11.

The Minnesota Vikings head on the road to battle the Denver Broncos in primetime Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CST.

Minnesota is on a whopping five-game winning streak since starting the season 1-4, becoming one of the better feel-good stories in the NFL.

Denver has gone on a three-game winning streak of their own, including wins against powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.

During their win streak, their defense has been playing lights-out. The Broncos are sixth in EPA per play allowed and seventh in EPA per dropback allowed since week seven.

If the Vikings want to keep their winning streak going, they will need to follow these keys to success against this zoned-in Denver defense.

4 offensive keys for Vikings vs. Saints

Minnesota will have a tough time topping last week’s performance, but to do it they will have to follow these four keys.

The Minnesota Vikings host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium for the next chapter in this already noteworthy season.

What Josh Dobbs was able to pull off against the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday was truly remarkable, and deserves the fanfare that has received this season.

But now, it’s time to come back down to earth and face this top-ten defense from New Orleans. This team is aggressive in their approach, and they don’t hide what they do. But what they do, they do it very well.

Even in what feels like a down year for the Saints’ defense, they are still ninth in defensive DVOA.

While winnable, this game against the Saints will be a dogfight for this offense. For Minnesota to come out on top, they will need to follow these four keys to victory.

Breaking down Jaren Hall’s 8 dropbacks vs. Falcons

Did Hall do enough to keep the starting job once he returns from his concussion? Tyler Forness breaks down the all-22

The Minnesota Vikings looked like they possibly had a success story as a fifth-round pick Jaren Hall. He looked poised and comfortable under center and drove the Vikings down the field.

Unfortunately, Hall suffered a concussion on the second drive and didn’t get a chance to finish the game. It allowed Josh Dobbs to come in and lead the Vikings to their most memorable victory in some time.

It also creates a conundrum for the rest of the season. What do the Vikings do at the quarterback position the rest of the season? Do they stick with Dobbs or truly see what Hall has?

Based on his limited play, that might be worthwhile.

Why Josh Dobbs’ Vikings debut was even more impressive than you think

Vikings QB Josh Dobbs put together a historic performance on Sunday, and here’s why it’s even more exceptional than you may think.

“What’s up, everybody? My name is Josh Dobbs. I’m the quarterback for Minnesota. I wanted to introduce myself to everyone.”

That’s how new Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs started his post-game press conference after his team beat the Atlanta Falcons, 31-28 on Sunday. Not the way you expect any quarterback to start a presser, but in Dobbs’ case, he may have felt that an introduction was necessary. After Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers, head coach Kevin O’Connell’s plan was to start fifth-round rookie Jalen Hall against Atlanta. But Hall was concussed early in the game, and Dobbs — who the Vikings traded for on Tuesday from the Arizona Cardinals — had to come in and try to get something done.

Dobbs isn’t the first quarterback to have to paly with a new team with very little ramp-up time, but what he was able to do against a generally game Falcons defense was truly exceptional. With less than a week to acclimate to his new offense, Dobbs didn’t have time to learn the Vikings’ cadences and protections. And it wasn’t as if the Vikings had any other options — running back Cam Akers, who was Minnesota’s emergency quarterback, suffered his own Achilles injury against the Falcons. O’Connell, who played for the 2008 New England Patriots and had six passing attempts, may have had to suit up if anything happened to Dobbs.

And it wasn’t just Akers who was out. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw was inactive with a groin injury. Receiver Justin Jefferson was still out with his hamstring injury, and receiver K.J. Osborn suffered a concussion in the Falcons game, and tight end T.J. Hockenson was playing through a rib injury.

Dobbs could and would have been excused for a disastrous performance under the circumstances, and there were early moments in which it looked as if things would fall apart. But Dobbs did an amazing job of getting it together, assisted by O’Connell and his staff, and a 31-28 Vikings win was the result.

“To Josh’s credit, it wasn’t as much as you would probably imagine, but we did condense down and create some things that we knew he would be comfortable with,” O’Connell said, when asked how much he had to water down his playbook for the new guy. “And his dialogue with [quarterbacks coach] Chris [O’Hara] and [assistant to the head coach/special projects] Grant [Udinski] that maybe wasn’t up on his initial game plan, but we can trust our guys to go execute.

“The no-huddle allowed us to settle everybody down and let me talk to him and give him some coaching points on the fly. That’s why you have those things on your offense. Once again, none of that is possible if he can’t come in here and – snap counts and formations and knowing where guys go and where guys are going to be when the ball hits his hands. Not to mention we’re playing against what I believe to be one of the better defenses we’ve played all season at home in the noise. I hope people understand that what Josh Dobbs was able to accomplish was very, very special, and I’m really proud of him.”

Dobbs completed 20 of 30 passes for 158 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 101.8. But the stats aren’t the story here — let’s get to the tape, and how the Vikings pulled off this