Minnesota struggled with the run over the first two games as teams stacked the box to stifle Peterson. Heading into Week 3, the Vikings were averaging 1.9 rushing yards per game, the longest run having been a 12-yard break by Asiata.
Although there’s still room for improvement, the Vikings running backs experienced fewer defenders swarming. Minnesota finished with 58 rushing yards and an average of 2.4 yards per carry.
“Those guys ran the ball pretty well,” quarterback Sam Bradford said after the game. “We stuck to it a little more in the second half. It helps to take some of the pressure off the pass rush.
“I would say we probably saw a little more two-high than we have on first and second down in the past,” Bradford added. “When Adrian is in the game, you can almost guarantee that we are going to get a loaded box, seven or eight guys up front.”
Vikings Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner split the calls between pass and run fairly evenly, with 28 passing plays and 24 carries. Sirles and Clemmings worked with the rest of the unit to protect Bradford and carve out room for the run game, and McKinnon said he felt the difference of less pressure by the Panthers at the line due to Peterson being out.
“Any time you don’t have that many bodies in the box, there’s always room to breathe and find a hole,” McKinnon said. “It’s just a matter of taking advantage of the opportunities that they gave us.”
Although pleased with their step forward at Carolina, the Vikings see room for significant improvement in their run game, and they will continue working to get there. In 2015, Minnesota averaged 4.7 yards per carry. McKinnon totaled 271 yards on 52 carries, an average of 5.2 per touch.
