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    Vikings Snap-Count Observations: Offensive Line Staunch While Surprising Edge Steps Up

    Free agent acquisitions and one surprising edge rusher made huge impacts for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Here's a closer look at who made it happen.

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    The Minnesota Vikings took to the road on the NFL‘s opening weekend and promptly opened some eyes around the league with a resounding 28-6 victory over the New York Giants.

    A few of the usual suspects were on top of their game for the Vikings. But a bigger story on the day was the contributions put forth by several new Vikings, as well as one particular unheralded player.

    Let’s break it down by looking at the snap-count totals and sharing some takeaways.

    Minnesota Vikings’ Snap-Count Totals in Win Over Giants

    Offensive Snap Counts

    Defensive Snap Counts

    Special Teams Snap Counts

    • Blake Brandel: 4 (17%)
    • Brian O’Neill: 4 (17%)
    • Christian Darrisaw: 4 (17%)
    • Ed Ingram: 4 (17%)
    • Dan Feeney: 4 (17%)
    • David Quessenberry: 4 (17%)
    • Taki Taimani: 4 (17%)
    • Jerry Tillery: 4 (17%)
    • Josh Oliver: 7 (29%)
    • Trent Sherfield Jr.: 7 (29%)
    • Nick Muse: 7 (29%)
    • Blake Cashman: 7 (29%)
    • Brandon Powell: 6 (25%)
    • C.J. Ham: 16 (67%)
    • Ty Chandler: 3 (12%)
    • Myles Gaskin: 5 (21%)
    • Cam Bynum: 2 (8%)
    • Joshua Metellus: 11 (46%)
    • Ivan Pace Jr.: 15 (62%)
    • Dallas Turner: 12 (50%)
    • Patrick Jones II: 9 (38%)
    • Jay Ward: 20 (83%)
    • Theo Jackson: 18 (75%)
    • Bobby McCain: 12 (50%)
    • Akayleb Evans: 10 (42%)
    • Kamu Grugier-Hill: 20 (83%)
    • Brian Asamoah II: 16 (67%)
    • Will Reichard: 9 (38%)
    • Andrew DePaola: 8 (33%)
    • Ryan Wright: 8 (33%)

    Vikings’ Snap-Count Takeaways

    Vikings Offense

    • All five starting offensive linemen played every snap, which isn’t unusual. It’s worth nothing here, however, because continuity is key for linemen, and this group is composed of all returning players from the 2023 squad. While it’s fair to question some of the interior members, namely right guard Ed Ingram, it’s also fair to say that what some individual parts lack in talent is more than made up for in synergy from the group.
    • An additional note on the offensive line is that, from a performance standpoint, the first two snaps were a disaster against the Giants. Aaron Jones was thwarted for a gain of just one, and then Sam Darnold was sacked. From there, though, it was a near-flawless outing as Darnold wasn’t sacked again, and Jones averaged 6.7 yards per carry and scored a touchdown.
    • After Justin Jefferson (84%), it was Brandon Powell (55%) who had the highest snap share among wide receivers. It’s likely that No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison will miss time with an ankle injury and so the plan as to which receivers will see more time on the field bears monitoring. Jalen Nailor, who played 26 snaps, scored a touchdown right after Addison left the game, and he figures to play a more prominent role, as well.

    Vikings Defense

    • No edge rusher played in more than 73% of snaps (Jonathan Greenard), and an under-the-radar contributor (Patrick Jones II) received a similar snap share (48%) to the No. 17 overall pick (Dallas Turner – 51%). And Jones made his snaps count, too. He tallied two sacks and two other tackles. So while Andrew Van Ginkel (58%) grabbed the headlines because of a touchdown, it was Jones who led the team in sacks.
    • While depth, talent, and production are aplenty at outside linebacker/edge, it’s apparent the inside LB position is not as deep. The talent is good with starters Blake Cashman (89%) and Ivan Pace Jr. (55%), but not one backup played a defensive snap at that position. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores can piecemeal this together by playing Joshua Metellus (90%) and an OLB in that position from time to time, but a more solid long-term plan is needed at the position.
    • Kudos to Stephon Gilmore, who has been with the team for less than a month but is already entrenched as Minnesota’s primary outside cornerback with an 87% snap share on Sunday. Byron Murphy Jr. registered the second-highest snap count at 79%.

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