Vikings RB could make dubious franchise history in Week 18
As the final week of the NFL regular season approaches, there are many issues at stake, from playoff berths to jobs. For the Minnesota Vikings, Alexander Mattison has one more chance to play to avoid making doubt in franchise history. Despite a career-high 173, Mattison has yet to record a rushing touchdown. If his drought continues into Week 18 against the Detroit Lions, he will become the first and only franchise leader to finish the year without a score. Mattison’s potential feats are incredible, but few Vikings have come close. According to Pro Football Reference, since the team’s inaugural season in 1961, three leading rushers have finished the year with just one touchdown, including Mevelde Moore (2005), Darrin Nelson (1983) and Ted Brown (1982). After the team parted ways with four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook before the 2023 campaign, Mattison hasn’t performed at the level the Vikings had hoped. He finished with a career-high 676 yards to lead the team, but his 3.9 yards per carry is his fewest since 2021 (3.7). Meanwhile, sophomore Ty Chandler stepped up when given the opportunity, averaging 4.4 yards on 90 carries for 392 yards with three touchdowns.
Mattison, a 2019 third-round pick, has one year remaining on the two-year, $7 million contract he signed at the start of the season. So it could have a chance to take the top spot again in 2024. However, they will need to further strengthen their performance as they have failed to create many opportunities this season.
In addition to the Vikings’ playoff hopes and Mattison’s future story, money is on the line Sunday against the Lions. The 25-year-old needs just 74 pitches to reach 750, which would earn him a hefty $250,000 bonus.
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick reportedly replaced offensive and defensive end Matt Patricia with current offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien last season. In an article published Thursday, Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyde of the Boston Herald reported that Patriots owner Robert Kraft pushed for a “coaching change” after quarterback Mack Jones and that the offense bounced back last season under Patricia. “Sources say Belichick preferred to keep Patricia and grow with her,” Callahan and Kayed said. “Instead, Belichick caved and O’Brien returned as offensive coordinator.” O’Brien couldn’t solve Jones, and an offense that ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing yards averaged 286.1 yards through 18 weeks, according to ESPN. In addition, O’Brien and Belichick appear to be at odds over some behind-the-scenes activities ahead of the 2023 campaign. “Sources around the league say some assistants believed O’Brien wanted to clean house and build the offensive line when he arrived in January, but Belichick denied that,” Callahan and Kidd said. “Belichick hired one (tight ends coach Will Lawing) to replace former coach Nick Kealey. For the public, a clear hierarchy developed between O’Brien and his assistants. Lowing and assistant quarterbacks coach Evan Rothstein and others.”The futures of Belichick, O’Brien and every other coach in New England hang in the balance. In the air. They’re rooting for the 4-12 Patriots to host the 6-10 New York Jets in Sunday’s season finale. While some Patriots executives are “ready for change,” people in the know outside the building believe Kraft can keep Belichick if the six-time Super Bowl champion supports working with executives to help make personnel decisions. “O’Brien also brought the offense closer and got every offensive lineman involved, making more tackles than Belichick and Patricia had a year ago,” Callahan and Kyde continued. As a result, there are fewer position meetings and limited one-on-one time between players and coaches, sources said. Almost everything went through O’Brien. ESPN’s Mike Reiss said on the air Thursday that Robert Kraft and Patriots president Jonathan Kraft plan to meet with Belichick next Monday. Reyes also said, “Nothing has been decided.” 18 “Current Committing” on Belichick’s status last week.
