Will Vikings offensive line threaten a successful season?

This was a difficult way to suffer a first loss, but the only problem the Vikings had Sunday that threatens their season is the play of the offensive line.

October 23, 2016 at 8:13PM
Minnesota Vikings' Sam Bradford, right, fumbles the football as Philadelphia Eagles' Mychal Kendricks tackles him during a 2016 game in Philadelphia.
Minnesota Vikings' Sam Bradford, right, fumbles the football as Philadelphia Eagles' Mychal Kendricks tackles during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Philadelphia. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Vikings weren't going to go undefeated, and playing at Philadelphia is almost always a challenge, and the Eagles' defense is capable of being disruptive, but it would have been difficult to predict a performance as inept as the Vikings turned in on Sunday.

They managed three points against a defense that has been up and down this season. They failed to rattle a rookie quarterack. They gave up a kick return for a touchdown that altered the game. And their offensive line was inept.

This was a difficult way to suffer a first loss, but the only problem they had Sunday that threatens their season is the play of the offensive line.

They rotated three tackles without success and the pressure they allowed on Bradford was the most important aspect of the game. Bradford had a few receivers open deep early on and got hit while throwing.

The Vikings gave up more than 17 points for the first time in 19 games, but had they not allowed the kickoff return they would have continued that run.

@Souhanstrib

about the writer

about the writer

Jim Souhan

Columnist

Jim Souhan is a sports columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune. He has worked at the paper since 1990, previously covering the Twins and Vikings.

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