3. Pressuring the protection
Murray has posted two of his eight highest single-game passing totals in two career games against Minnesota. Overall, he’s completed 60 of 80 throws (75%) for 726 yards (363 avg.), six passing touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has rushed for 67 yards and a score — and taken seven sacks.
We’re focusing on that last figure because Murray was sacked more than anyone else in 2019, his rookie campaign, but has improved at navigating the pocket in the past five seasons. In that span, Murray owns the eighth-lowest sack rate (5.68 percent of dropbacks) among 16 quarterbacks who’ve played in at least 60 games. Josh Allen is the lowest of the group at 4.32%, and Russell Wilson is at the other end at 8.78%.
Murray’s been dropped 20 times so far in 2024; one-fourth of those occurred in Week 12. The only offenses who have allowed fewer sacks are Buffalo (13), Green Bay (15), Baltimore (16) and Denver (19).
The Vikings pass rush, however, is unlike any that Arizona has seen this year. Minnesota’s defense ranks first in pressures (131), second in pressure rate (27.8%) and fourth in sacks (38). Three players – Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard and Pat Jones II – have 7.0 or more and five have notched at least 3.0.
For comparison’s sake: Four Cardinals defenders have 3-plus sacks, but none have more than 4.5.
Furthermore, Murray has struggled against the blitz – and the Vikings are blitzing at the second-highest clip (37.8%) per Next Gen Stats. The dual-threat’s completion rate is more than 15 points lower in 2024 when he’s attacked by five or more rushers, and his passer rating drops from 105.2 to 79.3.
Notably, Murray lost his lone start against a Brian Flores-coached defense, against Miami in 2020, but he posted 283 pass yards, 106 rush yards, four total touchdowns and a 150.5 passer rating.