When digging through weekly Pro Football Focus grades it is important to find the lowest numbers possible, as those low scores are the biggest weaknesses on a team. That’s a lot of work when you’re dealing with a turnover-prone, winless team like the Minnesota Vikings.
On that note, here are the 10 ugliest grades from the Vikings’ loss to the Chargers (minimum of 20 snaps played).
- Byron Murphy Jr., CB – 41.1
- Dean Lowry, DE – 47.6
- D.J. Wonnum, OLB – 49.7
- Pat Jones II, OLB – 50.4
- Harrison Phillips, DT – 57.8
- T.J. Hockenson, TE – 54.5
- K.J. Osborn, WR – 58.8
- Christian Darrisaw, LT – 61.1
- Jordan Addison, WR – 61.2
- Brian O’Neill, RT – 61.6
PFF charged Murphy for 10 catches and 185 yards allowed, including the trick play touchdown pass from Keenan Allen to Mike Williams.
Lowry played 31 snaps and literally did nothing. He generated zero pressures and was only credited with one assisted tackle.
Wonnum and Jones are the reasons head coach Kevin O’Connell is desperate to see what the defense can do with a healthy Marcus Davenport (ankle) healthy. Wonnum played 59 snaps and generated three pressures and one tackle. Jones played 32 snaps and generated one pressure.
Wonnum, Jones and Phillips combined to rush the passer 106 times and they created just seven total pressures. Their respective pass rush win rates were lousy: Phillips (5.9%), Wonnum (3.4%) and Jones (1.9%).
Danielle Hunter didn’t have one of the worst overall grades, but his 11.1% pass rush win rate was his third straight subpar win rate. He put up an 11.5% win rate against the Eagles and just 9.7% against the Bucs. Is that because opposing teams are throwing everything they have at Hunter because Wonnum and Jones aren’t hard to handle?
More context: Myles Garrett had nine pressures and four sacks by himself against the Titans and his pass rush win rate was 34.6%. His teammate, ex-Vikings edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, had a 25% win rate on Sunday. Remember how Hunter and Smith had two of the best win rates during the first half of last season? Good times…
Hockenson’s score took a hit due to a lost fumble and a drop.
Osborn got a raw deal on his score because Kirk Cousins missed him when he was open for what could’ve been the game-winning touchdown. Instead, he finished the game with one catch — it went for a 36-yard touchdown — on just three targets despite being on the field for 54 passing plays.
Addison’s score is relatively low considering five of his six catches came in the fourth quarter, including three that picked up first downs.
O’Neill’s score suffered because he gave up a sack, four pressures and was penalized twice. Darrisaw had the worst run blocking grade among Minnesota’s linemen, not to mention allowing four pressures and committing one penalty.
