Aaron Rodgers got the ball out in 2.17 seconds on average against the Minnesota Vikings. Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith often let him freelance, but he stuck to the script against Minnesota. It was the only way he could move the ball against Brian Flores’ defense.
Still, it worked. Rodgers finished 18 of 22 for 200 yards and a touchdown. His stats paled in comparison with Carson Wentz, who was 30 of 46 for 350 passing yards and two touchdowns but also threw two picks. Pittsburgh won the turnover battle 2-0 and could have had two more, which was crucial in their 24-21 win.
Rodgers moved the ball around, connecting with Kenneth Gainwell (six receptions for 35 yards), Darnell Washington (three for 20), Calvin Austin (two for 13), and Jonnu Smith (two for six). The offense also benefited from Gainwell’s 99 yards on the ground, and it’s not like it wasn’t explosive. DK Metcalf had five catches for 126 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown.
RODGERS TO METCALF. 80 YARD TOUCHDOWN.
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“The coverage dictated that,” said Rodgers. “We moved them around pretty good, had some good motions to get them off some doubles. It was just coverage. He had a single on the back shoulder fade, and he had Cover 2, but we had nice play action.”
The Vikings can emulate some of Pittsburgh’s game plan against the Cleveland Browns in London. Led by Myles Garrett, Cleveland has the best defensive line in the league, according to PFF. They get to the quarterback at lightning speed and with thundering force.
Blake Brandel will start at center for Minnesota’s banged-up offensive line. Kevin O’Connell likely wants to use longer-developing concepts to create explosive plays for Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. However, given the circumstances heading into Sunday’s game, he probably needs to dial up plays that get the ball out of Wentz’s hands quickly.
“We’ve had some success lately with some of the quick passing game,” O’Connell said after the team landed in London. “That’s a credit to Carson’s discipline of getting the ball out of his hands, trusting progressions.
“In some cases, the ball’s coming out to a third or fourth progression in the same amount of time that another player might spend on No. 1.”
Wentz isn’t Rodgers, whose ability to process at the line and while making progressions is singular. Wentz also joined the Vikings late in the preseason after they traded Sam Howell. Still, O’Connell built a reputation as a quarterback whisperer and strong play-designer after coaching under Sean McVay. Meanwhile, Wentz is a former franchise quarterback and ten-year veteran.
“It’s not quick game…unless you play with the proper rhythm and timing of going from one to two to three to four,” said O’Connell. “If it’s not that, then it’s just drop-back pass with worse protection.”
Rodgers credited Gainwell’s production for creating passing opportunities in Dublin. He said Gainwell’s nearly 100 yards on the ground set up the play-action, which created open receivers and eventually explosive plays downfield.
“There’s been so much talk about how can we get DK more involved, how can we push the ball down the field a little bit more,” Rodgers said after the Dublin game, “and I said last week you’ve got to run the football, and I think today we ran the ball pretty effectively.”
The Vikings aren’t the Steelers, and Wentz isn’t Rodgers. Still, Jordan Mason is averaging 67.8 yards per game, and Zavier Scott has played well in Aaron Jones’ absence. Meanwhile, Wentz played under McVay two years ago and says that J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer have helped him learn the offense since he arrived.
“[McCarthy has] been helping me,” said Wentz, “learning this playbook, learning his guys, all those things.”
O’Connell likely wants to use longer-developing plays to unlock explosives. However, he must rely on quick game against Garrett and Cleveland’s defense. Still, that doesn’t mean Minnesota’s offense can’t reel off a big play. As Rodgers said, occasionally the coverage dictates that a star receiver is open, even while playing quick game.