Jalen Nailor's First-Quarter Production Opened Up Minnesota's Offense

Sam Darnold got everyone involved in the Minnesota Vikings’ 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers. Johnny Mundt had a catch on the first drive of the game, and C.J. Ham got a couple of touches.

However, getting Jalen Nailor involved in the first half might have been most important.

Minnesota’s offense started out pretty lackluster in the first quarter. They had 17 yards and a punt, then 26 yards and a missed 57-yard FG off the crossbar. After three plays and 15 yards to end the quarter, the Vikings had only 58 yards in the first 15 minutes.

The Vikings needed something to get the offense going. Darnold hadn’t targeted Justin Jefferson and thrown once to Jordan Addison for no yards. The offense was flat.

In the second quarter, Nailor stepped into the fold. With two big receptions, the Vikings had their first lead, going up 7-3 after “Speedy” came down with Darnold’s 31-yard strike. Minnesota never lost the lead again. The Packers knew they had to keep Jefferson and Addison in check if they wanted a chance to win the game.

With so much focus on Jefferson and Addison, there was bound to be mismatches or an open man downfield. Nailor took advantage and scampered for six to take the lead.

The Packers had two defenders locked onto Jefferson, allowing Nailor to get behind them.

“I thought Speedy was huge,”

After Nailor scored, it looked as though the Vikings could open their playbook and get their playmakers more involved. It took a player that most defenses don’t scheme around to allow Jefferson, Addison, and T.J. Hockenson to be productive later in the game.

The Vikings entered halftime up 13-3. Nailor’s touchdown seemed to be the spark Minnesota’s offense needed to get the passing game going. The team only had three drives under 45 yards after that, one of which highlighted Nailor’s unique speed. After Darnold throws an interception, Nailor comes from behind and punches the ball free in what might have been a touchdown-saving tackle.

In the second half, Minnesota’s playmakers started to drive the offense, which can partially be attributed to what Nailor did in the first half. Nailor had caught four passes for 59 yards and that one TD before halftime and ended the day with five catches for 81 yards.

With his special play-making ability and the speed to complement it, he caused the defense to pay a little more attention to where he was on the field. That left guys like Jefferson and Addison one-on-one, allowing Darnold to sling the ball to them, knowing they’ll make one-handed catches or diving TD grabs in the second half.

The Vikings took Nailor out of Michigan State in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. He’s having his best professional season, holding career marks in nearly every statistical category (targets, catches, yards, first downs, and touchdowns). Last year, he battled a hamstring injury that limited him to six games. This season’s performance must be a pleasant surprise for the organization and the fanbase.

Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Lions will be for the division and the NFC’s No. 1 seed. I wouldn’t be surprised if Speedy finds his way to another first-half score to open up the rest of the team in a big game at Ford Field.