Three keys to success for Vikings special teams

The Vikings special teams unit performed well in several different aspects in 2019. Here’s how it can stay that way.

Have the team keep up the solid work on blocks

Photo: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Last offseason, the Vikings hired Marwan Maalouf as special teams coordinator.

Maalouf coached a unit that saw punter Britton Colquitt have a career-high 42.6 net yards, in addition to a career-low 62 punts during the 2019 regular season, the Star Tribune reported.

However, before his time with the Vikings, Maalouf was known for his special teams unit blocking field goals and punts.

Maalouf held his position with Miami for six seasons, and the Dolphins blocked eight punts during that stretch, the most in the NFL. On field goals, the Dolphins blocked six.

In 2019, the Vikings blocked one punt and they got a hand to Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal. Last season marked the first time since 2014 that the Vikings blocked a punt. Hopefully, the team’s success in that area continues.