1. Vikings' play designs, execution keeping Case Keenum clean
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer praised offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur when asked about the fact Keenum has not been sacked in his past 2.5 games, or about 100 pass plays. Under Shurmur, the Vikings have diversified their methods of keeping pressure off the quarterback while avoiding many communication breakdowns. "We're moving the pocket a little bit," Zimmer said. "We're also blocking well up front. Identifying pressures, that was a big one with [the Ravens] because they've got a little bit different kind of pressure package."
2. More expected from trips to the red zone
On four possessions the Vikings snapped the ball from the Ravens' 25-yard line or closer, and four times they came away with a Kai Forbath field goal. The Vikings want more from their red-zone trips. Technically they had only two Sunday, after the field-goal fest against the Ravens. Even entering Week 7, the Vikings' scoring per red-zone trip ranked 20th in the NFL, according to Football Outsiders.
3. The Vikings backfield is a bona fide timeshare
For the third game without Dalvin Cook, the Vikings backfield was nearly a 50-50 split on Sunday against the Ravens. Latavius Murray, who finished with a season-high 113 rushing yards, has seen his playing time steadily increase from 31 percent to 43 to 47 in the past three weeks, while Jerick McKinnon had nearly as many touches (17 to Murray's 18) this week. Don't look for the Vikings to change its split backfield anytime soon. "I like to have multiple players that they have to defend," Zimmer said.
Andrew Krammer
