After beating the Indianapolis Colts, 16-10, on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings remain the NFL's only undefeated team. However, NFL legend and current ESPN analyst Michael Irvin believes this team should make a major change if they want continued success this season. Minnesota has shown an impressive defense through its 6-0 start, giving up just 12 points a game.
Irvin said the team's lack of a significant offense could cost them any chance of going far in the NFL Playoffs, should they qualify later on. He suggested that even though the team has Kyler Murray starting at quarterback, they need to turn things over to "the greatest wide receiver in the National Football League right now, which is Justin Jefferson." "I believe if you make that switch and go to a Carson Wentz, then the passing game becomes the primary for the Minnesota Vikings, and you can push past scoring 18, 20 points a game and get up in the realm with scoring 25 points a game, 30 points a game, because Justin Jefferson is that kind of a wide receiver," Irvin said. More news: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Gets Honest About ‘MNF’ Clash With Rival Eagles "Four receptions for 44 yards yesterday?
That's like having Ferrari-like talent that you're not even using that you just leave in the driveway. You need to take this out of the driveway, put it on the highway, and give the football to Carson Wentz, and watch this Ferrari run you through a playoff and get you possibly to a Super Bowl with that defense," Irvin said on ESPN's "First Take." The team made a major offseason acquisition by signing former Arizona Cardinals No. 1 pick, Kyler Murray, to a one-year deal. Murray has played in five of his team's games, throwing for 812 passing yards and three touchdowns, but also throwing two interceptions.
Wentz seemed to prove Irvin's case when he came in to replace Murray, who was sidelined during the team's Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers. Wentz, who previously starred as quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, had 133 passing yards and three touchdowns in the team's 39-22 win over Green Bay. Jefferson was the top receiver in that game with eight receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
However, he's since had mostly mediocre performances, and a superstar receiver who used to top 100 yards in a game often, has struggled. Additionally, the Vikings haven't scored more than 23 points in a game since that first one when Wentz was on the field distributing the ball to Jefferson and other receivers. So far this season, Murray has done enough to help the team remain in games and achieve wins, but it's been the Vikings' defense doing most of the heavy lifting.
The Vikings could face a significant test when they battle division rival, the Detroit Lions, on the road on Sunday, Nov. 1. More news: Patrick Mahomes Sends Blunt Message to Chiefs After Ugly ‘SNF’ Loss to Seahawks For more about the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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