2022 Minnesota Vikings Deliver Winning Record, But Stars Need Improvement

When the NFL schedule consisted of 16 games, it was easy to recognize the quarter pole, the halfway point, and so on. But the math is a bit more convoluted with a 17-game schedule, and recognizing a four-game performance as 25 percent of the season is not quite accurate.

But it is still a decent measuring point, because a team starts to show its colors and capabilities at that point. For the Minnesota Vikings, the first four games have resulted in three victories and one loss, and there are indications that first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell may be the right leader for a team that had struggled badly the last two years.

The Vikings have played one excellent game in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers and a poor one the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles. Victories the following two weeks over the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints were anything but masterpieces, and with the Chicago Bears coming up on the schedule in Week 5, it’s an opportune moment to grade the Vikings on their performance thus far

Quarterback

Kirk Cousins has a history of putting together brilliant statistical seasons while falling short of providing a winning direction in his team’s biggest games. O’Connell has boosted Cousins in nearly every assessment of his team since taking the job, but the results in the early part of the season are ordinary.

Cousins is completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 1,031 yards with six TDs and four interceptions. This ho-hum performance has to get better if the talented Vikings offense is going to reach the high expectations that O’Connell has for the team. Grade: B-minus.

Running back

One of the strongest positions on the team because Dalvin Cook is one of the most gifted backs in the league and backup Alexander Mattison excels in his role. Cook has not been able to establish his dominance yet and suffered a shoulder injury against the Lions that has limited his effectiveness. While he has 279 rushing yards and a 4.4 yards per carry mark, the Vikings need him to deliver some game-changing plays. Grade: B-minus.

Receivers

Justin Jefferson is a star who has a stated goal of rising to the level of the NFL’s top receiver. Jefferson has had great games against the Packers and Saints but disappointing ones against Philadelphia and Detroit. Adam Thielen remains a vital cog with his ability to get open and also serve as a threat in the red zone. K.J. Osborn caught a last-minute game-winning TD pass against the Lions, but has not done much else. Irv Smith Jr. has caught just 10 of 20 targets, and regularly misses chances to make big plays. Grade: B

Offensive line

A mixed performance that has seen left tackle Christian Darrisaw rise to the level of one of the best at his position in the league while rookie right guard Ed Ingram has been solid and should get even better. On the other hand, center Garrett Bradbury has problems handling the interior rush, and the overall depth of the line is ordinary. Grade: C-plus

Defensive line

The Vikings are giving up 394.5 yards per game, a figure that ranks 27^th in the league. This has to be vastly disappointing to new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell because he was brought in to turn this unit around after two awful seasons in 2020 and 2021.

On the positive side, the defense came up with a game-ending play in the win over the Lions because the Vikings were able to bring a heavy pass rush that resulted in an interception by safety Josh Metellus. That has been the exception, as the Vikings have been gashed for big plays against the run and rarely put pressure on opposing passes. If star edge rusher Danielle Hunter (1.0 sack) doesn’t step up, the defense may not get much better. Grade: C

Linebackers

If there is one area on defense that has played up to expectations to this point, it’s this group of linebackers. Jordan Hicks and Eric Kendricks lead the Vikings in tackles, and both have shown the ability to anticipate where the play is going and they are regularly in the right positions.

Hicks has 38 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 interception,1 forced fumble and 2 passes defensed. Kendricks has added 31 tackles and 3 passes defensed. D.J. Wonnum has been a bit of a surprise with 2.0 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. He has provided and depth and some play-making ability. Grade: A-minus

Defensive backs

This has been the team’s weakest area since 2020, and the unit took a big hit when rookie safety Lewis Cine suffered brutal lower leg fracture against the Saints. Opposing receivers regularly run free and easy through Minnesota’s shell coverage, but cornerback Cameron Dantzler has improved and is coming off an outstanding game against the Saints. Veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson is long past his All-Pro form, but is still a smart cover man who understands what opposing offenses want to do. Veteran safety Harrison Smith is a sharp leader who plays with intelligence and aggressiveness. Grade: C-plus