Vikings Offense Struggles in Week 1 Loss to Buccaneers

Minnesota has some things to iron out on offense if they want to be a good team this year. 

Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 33/44, 344 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT, 102.8 rtg (2 fumbles lost)
RB:
A. Mattison 11 car, 34 yds, 3.1 avg (1 receiving TD)
WR:
J. Jefferson 9 rec, 150 yds, 16.7 avg, 42 long
J. Addison 4 rec, 61 yds, 15.3 avg, 1 TD, 39 long
TJ Hockenson 8 rec, 35 yds, 4.4 avg, 14 long
J. Oliver 3 rec, 32 yds, 10.7 avg, 18 long
KJ Osborn 3 rec, 31 yds, 10.3 avg, 19 long
T. Chandler 1 rec, 18 yds
DEF:
D. Hunter 1 sack
K:
G. Joseph 1/1 FG (25) 2/2 XP

Game Summary:
Minnesota's defense came out onto the field and balled out!! I have to say this first, because it might get lost in the criticism of the team, but the defense played way higher then expectations. They were the only reason the Vikings were still in this game in the 3rd and 4th quarters. If you would have asked me if the defense would only give up 20 points in the first game, I would have laughed at you after last season. In the first quarter alone the defense came up with several key stops, especially when they took the field after a fumble backed up in the endzone - they held Tampa to a field goal.
Now, on to the disappointment. The offense from the get-go just looked lost. This isn't some knock on Kirk Cousins or the individual skill players, but they didn't seem like they knew how to play football. Cousins did get credited with two fumbles in the first quarter. One of them wasn't really his fault since a lineman knocked the ball out of his hands on a snap. The other was caused by a blindside sack. One could say the offensive line should have those stats attached to them, not the QB. The troubles with the line would not end there. Cousins was pressured for most of the game in the backfield. While he was able to get some passes out, the defensive had a hand in his face or had tackled him to the ground for most of the game. There were bright moments of course, rookie WR Jordan Addison scored his first touchdown in the NFL in the 2nd quarter to put the Vikings on the board. Cousins tossed another TD in the 4th quarter to Alexander Mattison to tie it up. Speaking of Mattison, the run game was largely silent today. I understand that O'Connell's scheme is based mainly on the passing game, but have we really forgotten how to run? The line didn't play well to begin with so, not much of it is on Mattison since there wasn't much room to run. 
If the Vikings want to contend with a NFC North title, they need to figure out the offensive line, otherwise it will be a long season.

NFC North Update
I don't normally do these so early on in the season, but I want to provide an update anyway. This weekend the Packers and Bears faced off for the first inter-division battle of the season. Both teams were starting young QBs and had different showings. Packers QB Jordan Love was the game MVP with 3 TD's and no interceptions in his debut as the new Green Bay starter. On the other side of the ball, Chicago QB Justin Fields struggled in their home opener. He threw a couple picks and fumbled the ball. The Packers look like the real deal early on. The Lions also beat the reigning Super Bowl champs on Thursday, so they look good as well.

Injury Report
Now, the line didn't play well but they also were missing their starting center Garrett Bradbury after he exited early in the 1st quarter with a back injury. He is questionable for this week. 

Up Next
The Vikings hope to right the ship when they visit Philly on Thursday for their first game on Prime Video. Thursday Night Football starts at 7:15 PM CT.

​Skol