In the aftermath of the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, there has been a lot of talk about the Vikings not running the ball enough. That wasn’t the only lesson the Vikings need to learn, as Jalen Nailor shines a light on another issue with the Vikings’ offense.

VikingsTerritory looks at the lesson the Vikings offense should have learned from Jalen Nailor’s breakout performance in Week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Last Sunday was by far the most productive game of Nailor’s career, catching 5 of 6 targets for 124 receiving yards and a touchdown. It was Nailor’s first 100-receiving yards game, eclipsing his previous high of 89 yards against Green Bay in Week 17 of his rookie season back in 2022. The four-year receiver, nicknamed Speedy, has shown time and again that he can make plays.

Jalen Nailor Exploded in Week 10

In comparison to Nailor’s successful day, Minnesota’s top two wide receivers endured a difficult time. Justin Jefferson had a very uncharacteristic performance, catching just 4 of 12 targets for 37 yards and showing a perceived lack of effort.

Jefferson’s 33.33% catch success rate was well below what you would expect – around 60% throughout his career. Frustration clearly got the better of him on what was a day to forget, with two interceptions on balls intended for him.

Without the histrionics, it was an equally disappointing day for Jordan Addison, who caught only 3 of 11 targets for 35 yards – 27.3% catch success rate. While Kevin O’Connell and/or JJ McCarthy seemed to be trying to force the ball to Jefferson and Addison and failing, they could have been riding the hot hand, which was Nailor in this case. Talent is abundant on the Vikings offense, so they shouldn’t be afraid to spread the ball around.

Nailor’s Future

It’s a big season for Nailor, his fourth in the league and the final year of his rookie deal. The second contract is always the big one for NFL players; it’s the one that can cement your place in the league for a long career. Nailor was drifting towards free agency, having probably done enough to get a contract somewhere, but not necessarily in Minnesota.

With McCarthy back in the lineup, the connection between those two has shown promise with Nailor looking like a genuine WR3 – at least.

Nailor’s numbers with McCarthy at QB are excellent for a third receiver. If he were to keep pace with what he has produced in McCarthy’s four starts over a full season, we’d be looking at north of 800 receiving yards. Whereas Nailor was pretty quiet when Carson Wentz was under center, there is a definite connection between McCarthy and Nailor that is something to build upon.

Not only for the rest of this season, but continued production should see Nailor firmly in the frame for a contract extension.

The Need for A Balanced Offense

There has been a lot said in the aftermath of the Ravens defeat about the need for the Vikings to run the ball more. I do think that is true, but it’s more than that. O’Connell needs to find balance in his offense.

That starts with running the ball more consistently, but will also involve more consistent involvement from TJ Hockenson, particularly short throws over the middle of the field, an element of the Vikings offense that goes missing as often as the run game.

Then there are the depth receivers like Nailor, who should be seeing more than a couple of looks a game on deep shots down the field. He is more talented than that. Also, Adam Thielen, whom Minnesota gave up fourth and fifth-round picks to bring home via a trade with Carolina.

Thielen only has 15 targets through nine games – catching seven for 63 yards – which doesn’t make sense for a player you gave up decent draft capital for. Then you have a third-round rookie in Tai Felton, who has one target this season, which he caught for a 9-yard gain. 

It’s time the Vikings’ offense became more of a collaborative effort rather than an over-reliance on the top two WRs. It’s a lesson coach O’Connell should have learned over the last week.