Do you believe it? For the first time in what feels like decades, the Minnesota Vikings might just have a very strong offensive line. Yes, that’s even with Ed Ingram, who is known for allowing more than his fair share of pressures and sacks, at right guard.
Minnesota’s offensive line was extremely good against the Chiefs on Sunday. It didn’t result in a win or a big game from Kirk Cousins, but their collective grades from Pro Football Focus are incredible. Check this out…
- Christian Darrisaw’s 88.5 grade was first of 65 tackles
- Ezra Cleveland’s 79.1 grade was sixth of 65 guards
- Garrett Bradbury’s 82.0 grade was second of 31 centers
- Ed Ingram’s 72.5 grade was 11th of 65 guards
- Brian O’Neill’s 65.1 grade was 31st of 65 tackles
Quarterback Kirk Cousins was pressured 15 times against Kansas City, with 10 of those pressures allowed by Minnesota’s offensive line. Ingram gave up two hurries and a sack for a total of three pressures; O’Neill was charged with three hurries; Cleveland allowed one sack, one hit and one hurry for a total of three pressures; Darrisaw gave up one hit and Bradbury gave up absolutely nothing in 54 pass blocking snaps.
Darrisaw, Bradbury and Cleveland were the top three graded offensive players for the Vikings and Ingram ranked fifth.
Cousins was 5 of 12 passing when pressures 15 times. He passed for 59 yards on those 15 drop backs and was sacked three times.
Kansas City blitzed 38% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps and Cousins was 6 of 17 for 60 yards against the blitz. But his receivers had four drops so his numbers against the blitz could’ve been much better if his targets would’ve held onto the ball.
The offensive line did its job. The receivers did not, though Cousins has shouldered the blame saying his passes were too high and didn’t give his targets the best chance to come down with the catch.
And for those of you waiting for Dalton Risner to replace Ingram in the starting lineup, Ingram’s performance against KC has probably bought him at least one more week.
