Film study: Ty Chandler's subtle skill, Cincy's winning route combos
A closer look at how the Vikings got an RB1-type showing from Chandler in the loss
By Matthew Coller
The Minnesota Vikings’ 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals may not exactly be one that Vikings fans want to re-live over and over for the rest of time but it did have some fascinating elements that might have implications that go beyond just one game. Namely, the emergency of Ty Chandler as a dynamic running back with exceptional patience and burst and an approach late in the game from Cincy’s offense that caused the secondary some problems. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said that Chandler will be “featured” going forward and the Vikings will need a solution on defense or we could see copy-catting from the Lions and Packers going forward.
Let’s start with Chandler’s big day…
The Vikings used a lot of different looks and concepts with their 2022 draft pick. By PFF’s tracking they used 10 zone runs and 13 gap concepts in total. On the first drive of the game, he jolted forward for a 7-yard gain on a play with tight end Josh Oliver on the field and fullback CJ Ham. Oliver goes in motion and picks up the edge rusher while the right tackle blocks inside and the guard and center double team. Chandler makes a cut and picks up a significant gain.
Chandler appears to have a very good sense when to make his cuts. We see that on our next play, still on the opening drive, when the Vikings run an outside zone handoff. The very basic way to understand outside run runs is that they give the running back an option to go wide or cut back and picking the right time to cut upfield can make all the difference. The Vikings get significant movement pushing the Bengals D-linemen down the line of scrimmage and RT David Quessenberry turns his man, which opens a big lane for Chandler, which he takes full advantage.
Chandler was then featured on what looked like a fake tush push. CJ Ham goes in motion and gets behind the QB and then acts like he’s getting ready to shove the quarterback forward (yes, I hear you at home saying “maybe they should have done that later in the game), then Nick Mullens spins out from under center and dumps the ball to Chandler. Any running back would have been open here but his acceleration toward the end zone to nearly score a touchdown stands out. Chandler as a swing/screen option is legitimately dangerous — something the Vikings have severely lacked.
In the second quarter, the Vikings used a play to take advantage of Chandler’s ability to get to the end by giving him an outside toss. They send TJ Hockenson in motion to the right side where there are already two tight ends. Oliver and Johnny Mundt double team but where Chandler’s skill comes into play is when there is a mistake. Quessenberry comes off his block and leaves the DT unblocked. The speedy RB puts his foot in the ground and hesitates slightly before blowing by him and then shows some physicality at the end.
The concern that the Vikings have talked about with Chandler is his understanding and knowledge of the offense and that might have showed up on one play. In the red zone, there was confusion on which way the handoff was supposed to go and the run goes nowhere. That’s probably the best outcome considering it could have been a fumble.
To be clear, without knowing the play call it’s hard to say whether the quarterback or running back had this wrong but it was a notable instances of miscommunication with Chandler in the backfield.
The negative run put the Vikings in a spot where they needed to throw on third-and-long. That led to disaster with a Mullens pick. On the film we can see better what Mullens was trying to do. Despite the fact Justin Jefferson was running directly into the middle-field safety, Mullens still went to him anyway, attempting to lead JJ in front of the safety to possibly slide down and make the catch. It appears that Jefferson did not expect the ball to be coming his way and the cornerback intercepts it easily.
It’s not a good decision solely on the basis of throwing into double coverage while in the red zone but it’s worth wondering if there was some type of detail that was missed because they have not worked together much.
OK back to Chandler. His biggest run of the day featured more Oliver, who was on the field for 21 run blocking snaps on Saturday afternoon. Chandler shoots to the outside, where Oliver, Hockenson and Jordan Addison are pinning two defenders and leaving the runner alone with the Bengals cornerback. Chandler makes multiple moves in an eyeblink and freezes the CB, then blows by him. This had a little bit of prime Dalvin Cook look to it.
All said and done, Chandler had one of the best games by a Vikings RB in a very long time. He was terrific in all facets, including pass blocking, where he was back there for 10 passes and allowed zero pressures. Chandler covered for blocking mistakes, he bowled forward through contact and made anyone trying to solo tackle him look silly. This was a reflective performance of a starting RB1.
Let’s move on to the defensive side….
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Purple Insider to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.