Kevin O’Connell’s offensive philosophy deserves closer scrutiny after the Minnesota Vikings wasted a defensive effort good enough to beat almost anybody in a 19-15 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Brian Flores’ defense held a Lions team that entered Sunday averaging 30.7 points per game to 19. Minnesota still lost because its offense produced 15 points, 266 net yards, and only 50 plays. The Vikings converted three of 10 third downs and failed on their lone fourth-down attempt, according to the official Vikings game recap.
The season-long debate over how much O’Connell has adapted to Kyler Murray is still very much alive.