When Kevin O'Connell took over the Minnesota Vikings, he knew immediately where to focus his attention.
The first-year head coach saw a Vikings team that was downright dreadful at situational football. The 2021 Vikings were the worst in the league that season. By some metrics cobbled together by the staff there, they were actually the worst in modern NFL history at situational ball.
The 2022 Minnesota Vikings are arguably the best situational football team in the NFL today. "Situational masters" are what O'Connell wants out of his team, and that's what he's getting.
The 2021 Vikings had a minus-73 point differential in the final four minutes of halves last season, by far the worst in the NFL. With two teams left to play in Week 6, the Vikings are the league's best by the same metric: a plus-33 differential.
What stood out Sunday was the final 18 seconds of the first half against the Dolphins. It was a situation O'Connell repped with the team dating back to the spring, because few moments in 2021 Vikings lore drove him crazier than what happened against San Francisco.
In Week 12 in the Bay, the Vikings were tied at 14-all after the Niners scored on an eight-minute drive in the second quarter. With 18 seconds left, the Vikings got a 30-yard kick return to their 40-yard line. With 12 seconds left, Dalvin Cook caught a 14-yarder to get across midfield, running out of bounds and leaving five seconds on the clock.
Minnesota, with all three timeouts, needed less than 10 yards to get into field goal range for an end-of-half attempt. Kirk Cousins sat in the pocket, didn't see anyone open and threw the ball out of bounds with zeroes on the clock. A wasted opportunity at three points. The Vikings lost the game 34-26, one of 14 one-score games the Vikings endured that year.
So on Sunday when the Vikings intercepted Teddy Bridgewater at the Miami 41 with 18 seconds left in the half, everyone was aware they had a golden opportunity at three points. O'Connell had preserved one timeout, and Greg Joseph booted the field goal as time expired on the half to increase the lead to 10-3. The Vikings wound up winning 26-14.
"When those moments come up," O'Connell told reporters last week, "there's very little thinking that goes into it and more reacting and playing."
More insider notes
- The Houston Texans and Jack Easterby are going their separate ways. ESPN first reported the split and I can confirm Easterby, the executive vice president of football operations, will no longer be with the team. Sources say head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Nick Caserio had frozen Easterby out dating back to the offseason. Sidelined by the top football decision makers, Easterby and team owner Cal McNair agreed to part ways.
- As I reported Sunday on The NFL Today, the Panthers are not going to give Christian McCaffrey away. Carolina will entertain inquiries that include a first-round pick or multiple picks (that would include a Day 2 pick.) The Panthers are also more than happy to keep McCaffrey. They won't take a lowball offer. The deadline is Nov. 1, so there's still time to make a deal. Carolina also won't simply cut McCaffrey next season, so teams shouldn't wait on that. The Panthers recognize they have one of the league's best weapons when healthy.
- Carson Wentz is seeing a hand specialist Monday. If he can't go this week, it'll be Taylor Heinicke against the Packers. I'm told rookie Sam Howell "isn't ready yet."
