Prepare for a run-heavy attack with explosive downfield shots as Minnesota unleashes its third-string quarterback against the Lions.
It has been a minute since Minnesota Vikings third-string quarterback Max Brosmer made a start for the team. Vikings fans will get to see it again on Sunday.
The last time Brosmer took the field in relief of J.J. McCarthy as the team's starter it was a nightmare performance that undoubtedly had some averting their eyes. Brosmer had his team driving and in contention against the Seattle Seahawks and former starting quarterback Sam Darnold. That is, until disaster struck.
Brosmer made a great pass to set up fourth and short deep inside Seattle territory. Then chaos ensued. The former undrafted free agent from the Minnesota Golden Gophers, play action faked likely hoping the faked run action would create an easy throw. Instead, the opposite happened.
Soon after Brosmer carried out the play fake, Seahawks defensive end Demarcus Lawrence got into the pocket and blew up the play. Rather than accepting defeat in the play, Brosmer threw a beach ball into the hands of the Seattle defense, who took the pass to the end zone.
Brosmer would finish the day with 19 completions on 30 attempts, 126 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions. It wasn't pretty.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesFor the year, the undrafted quarterback has completed 31 passes on 47 attempts for a respectable 66.0% completion rate. That said, many of the completions are high percentage throws, with Brosmer totaling 220 passing yards and 4.7 yards per attempt on the season.
So, what type of gameplan can we expect from Minnesota? We might see Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell break tendency and go for a set-up downfield shot early in the game. Presumably, the Detroit Lions will not be expecting the Vikings to air it out on Thursday with an inexperienced quarterback.
After an early vertical shot down the field, one might expect up to around two-thirds of the Vikings' offensive plays would be on the ground. O'Connell could surprise and go for 50-50 balance between the pass and the run. Certainly, it would give a chance to evaluate whether or not Brosmer is worth keeping on the roster as a backup next season. That said, if the run game is more effective, it might give Brosmer more chances leaning on the run more frequently than going three-and-out every drive in the name of "balance."
Expect a run-heavy game from the Vikings with timely schemed up surprises on Thursday. We'll see if it's enough to secure a win.