So, hey, have you noticed that this has been a bye week for the Vikings? Good lord, do I hate the early bye week. . .there's absolutely no reason for the NFL to be giving teams a week off only three weeks into the season. I suppose that, in this case, it might be beneficial for the Vikings and everything, but I still don't like it. Hopefully the Vikings have taken advantage of this in order to get their passing game a little more organized.
But right now, it's time to take a brief look at how the Vikings are faring in the red zone both offensively and defensively this season. Starting after next week's game, we'll take a look at how the team fares in the red zone after each individual game, but now seems to be as good a time to catch up with the red zone performance as any.
On offense, the Vikings' red zone escapades have been. . .well, they haven't been all that good, due in large part to the disaster that happened against the Dolphins in Week 2. In the first three games of the 2010 season, the Vikings' offense has made seven trips into the red zone, and have come out with only two touchdowns. Both of those touchdowns were scored by Adrian Peterson. . .one on a drive against Miami that started at the Dolphins' 1-yard line, and one against the Lions ended what was actually a pretty impressive drive. The Vikings also have one Ryan Longwell field goal from their game against the Lions to show for their red zone efforts thus far, too.
So, the Vikings only found their way to the red zone twice against the Lions, and converted both of them into points. . .a far, far cry from what happened in the home opener against Miami. The Vikings made five trips into the Dolphins' red zone, and they ended as follows:
-Interception (pass intended for Percy Harvin that bounced around a bunch of times)
-Interception (pass intended for Bernard Berrian. . .enough said)
-Touchdown (drive started at 1-yard line)
-Field goal
-Turnover on downs (Peterson stopped on 4th down at the goal line)
That will not help your red zone touchdown percentage one bit.
Overall, in three games, the Vikings have made seven trips into the opposing red zone, and have come out with two touchdowns, two field goals, and three drives where they scored no points at all. If the Vikings are going to get better this season, this is one area that definitely needs to improve.
Tomorrow, we'll take a look at how the Vikings' defense has fared in preventing opponents from getting red zone scores. For now, enjoy the rest of your evening. . .or early morning, depending on where you are.