FanPost

Something to think about: The Special Teams




Last year's special teams was quite a mess. The Vikings allowed 7 touchdowns on special teams. Twice, they gave up two touchdowns in a game on special teams. Two at New Orleans and two at Chicago. I remember hearing that allowing 7 touchdowns on special teams was a record of some kind, but I can't find if it is a team record or an NFL record. Its also possible I heard wrong, but would you be that surprised if it was? For a comparison, the Lions were the only other team in the NFC North to allow a touchdown on special teams, a punt return by Santana Moss. If Detroit, having one of the worst seasons for a franchise ever, only allows one special teams TD to the Viking's 7 and the rest of the North allow none, that its an area that need big improvement.

Luckily, there were only two games that were decided by those special teams touchdowns. Eliminate the punt return at Green Bay and the special teams miscues that occurred at Chicago and the Vikings finish 12-4 instead of 10-6. That would have been the difference in getting a bye week in the playoffs since the Vikings would have had the tie breaker over Carolina having beat them earlier. Of course, this is dealing in hypotheticals, but its easy to see how they impacted the season. It could have been worse, too. I am sure everyone remembers how close Reggie Bush came to winning for the Saints on his punt returns. Green Bay went up in their game at the HHH when they returned a punt and Adrian had to create some magic to pull that win out.

The point I am going for here: The Vikings gave up way too many special teams touchdowns and it affected their overall record. In the past 3 years the Vikings have scored 4 special teams TDs and allowed 12. That is a ratio that needs to change. Hopefully, they do a better job in coverage this year and possibly Harvin can make a difference in returns.

So I am putting the over/under on special teams touchdowns allowed by the Vikings at 3. Think the Vikings can lock it down on special teams with a new coach and new rules (no more 3 man wedges) and stop allowing TDs or will they have the same problems?

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.