They may have had the same time but what play was called? What if Minny ran a screen, whereas Slowick called a down field play to a WR, resulting in a sack or CJ had to run? Like I said, the variables
Darnold had more yards in the air, and more YPA. All of this is easy to look up man. It’s ok to say CJ was very average last year, he’s not above criticism. He can very easily fix it this season, hopefully he does. It’s also ok to admit that Darnold was a top tier QB last season, it took him a while to get there. No one was saying anything when it took Geno Smith years to be a serviceable QB
Dude you think those stats tell everything but they don't. https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-offensive-lines-nfl-rankings/ PFT has issues, but they ranked Vikings as the 9th best offensive line in 2024. The Texans was 32nd. There was no comparison. Put Darnold in Houston and we miss the Playoffs, by a lot. Put CJ in Minnesota and they win more than 14 games.
They had better health for sure. Dell had 14 games, Nico had 12 Addison had 15, JJ had 17 Schultz was better than Hock last season. Mixon was more productive than Jones. It’s not like Vikings had this elite supporting cast. They also play in the hardest division in football, that balances out a lot of things
That ranking was based more off run blocking win rates. Read the breakdowns for each. Pass blocking was similar for the lines, CJ held the ball longer. Also, the rankings you posted don’t say much. It’s opinion based. Very easy to interpret stats. Darnold was pressured just as much as Stroud.
In a lot of those, Stroud needs to get better at seeing the blitz coming and going to a hot read or adjusting the play or pass blocking before the snap. Also he needs to take the first open receiver window more often instead of passing it up hoping something better develops and taking a sack. He also needs to get better at sensing the pressure when it's actually there and not scrambling INTO a sack when he's not really pressured. Now some of that is advanced stuff, and he's super young, I expect improvement next season so I don't think there's cause to be worried.
Where did you see that the run block win rate was the reason for the high ranking? Here is a quote from the article: “In the run game, Minnesota ranked 12th in RBYBC/rush (0.96) and 15th in RBWR. These weren’t exceptional numbers, but they were more than good enough to complement what the rest of the team did in the regular season.” And here is a quote directly related to their pass blocking, and why raw pressure rate doesn’t tell the whole story between the two offenses: “Minnesota’s OL was better relative to the league when not facing the blitz, ranking just outside the top 20 in pressure rate (34.1%). This is further contextualized by a second-overall ranking in PBWR, which shows this line was better than the raw pressure and sack rate numbers showed — they were just being asked to do it for longer than most teams.” I’m guessing the Texans’ line wasn’t second best in anything this year and you should probably stop comparing the raw pressure and sack numbers of the two teams as if that means a whole lot.
According to this the Texans RBWA was worst in the league. The metrics are similar for pass blocking outside of PBWR, which according to this metric the Vikings were 2nd. I’m not seeing anywhere else that has even 2nd in PBWR, at all. Pressure rate, time to throw, how long they hold the ball, sacks are all similar.
I gotta respectfully disagree @cmoak1982 , Sam Darnold was a great story but he's far from a top tier QB..He played well tho.. Same as Geno and countless others over the years .. They're good enough to keep from totally rebuilding, but you're pretty much stuck in the 7-10 win totals over the course of their contracts. That's great for teams with questionable FO decisions during their e istence , like us.. But true contenders need the Mahomes, Lamars, and Allens . We'll see what he does with higher expectations, because of the money, and a change of scenery with good weapons on paper.. But them mfers stay hurt
“C.J. Stroud’s propensity to hold the ball for a long time didn’t help (3.00-second time to throw), but a 10.7% sack rate in the face of the blitz (27th) cannot be excused on that, given he ranks 17th in time to throw against the blitz. Houston allows a 35.2% pressure rate (25th) against four or fewer pass rushers, but that is likely heavily related to Stroud holding the ball (28th in time to throw). This line also struggled with the run game. They ranked 31st in RBYBC/rush (0.58) and RBWR. That makes some of Joe Mixon’s performances this season even more impressive than they first looked.” So where do you see that the two team’s pass blocking was similar while the Texans’ run blocking was the issue? I don’t even see a reference for their PBWR.
I agree. I’m saying for last season, he was a top tier QB. Better than CJ-last year. Ultimately it’s up to CJ to prove he is first year and not second year, and up to Darnold to prove he’s last year and not first 6. It’s just weird to call Darnold trash after what he showed last season, and what CJ showed last season.
Pressure rates, it’s right there in the percentages. The only positive thing they say about Vikings pass blocking is their PBWR, according to them. Everything else is bottom 3rd like the Texans. I also can’t find anywhere else that has them at 2nd in PBWR
Ok, well the author already discounted the Vikings’ pressure rate, and I doubt the Texans’ line was anywhere close to 2nd in PBWR.
He was better than CJ no doubt last year .. But if they both were FAs and wanted the same money, which one would you pick to start your franchise OR come onto a contender ready team on a 5 yr contract ? My guess is Stroud 10 out of 10 times I both scenarios .. I agree , Darnold isn't trash.. He's a 1 year overachieving career stop gap QB.. damn that sounded harsh lol
That’s opinion though. And honestly have to take their rankings with a grain of salt, I don’t see anywhere else that has them 2nd
Stroud is for sure getting the benefit of the doubt, just because of his age. But say he has another year like he did last season, and Darnold has another year like last season, what then? I fully expect Stroud to take a big leap and show that hes a top 10 QB. But if he doesn’t, there has to be serious conversations.
Unless he just has a horrible season by even average QB standards, I still would choose Stroud... He has a 2 yr window of uninspired play before I give up on him..
I think that’s fair. He has shown that he can be good, just not sure how long the leash is these days. If Darnold does what he did last year, in Seattle this year, then teams will probably have longer leashes, specially with Darnold only being 27.
