EAGAN, Minn. — Pro Football Focus shared its immediate takeaways from the Vikings 12-10 loss to the Bears on Monday night, which included a look at Vikings running backs Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler.
Vikings back to heavy two-man running back rotation: Alexander Mattison was used almost twice as much as Ty Chandler last week, but that wasn't the case in this game.
- There were parts of the game where they seemed to rotate by drive and other points where both running backs got playing time.
- Chandler ended up with more snaps in the first half largely because he played eight consecutive offensive snaps in the second quarter.
- Mattison broke a few longer runs in the third quarter, which seemed to earn him more time during the second half.
- Mattison's per-play numbers (5.2 yards per carry) were particularly impressive, considering the Bears had allowed the fewest yards per carry to runners this season (3.4).
The article also included observations about tight end T.J. Hockenson, who has grinded through the past three games despite being on the injury report with a ribs injury.
- Hockenson has played in all three games, but his playing time has been impacted.
- He almost never plays in 21 personnel, and that has continued.
- He played 91% of 11 personnel snaps and 98% of 12 personnel snaps over the first nine weeks. Those marks have fallen to around 84% and 48% in the last three games, with those rates staying relatively consistent through the three weeks.
- The decrease in snaps and routes didn't hurt him much in his last two games. He was held without a catch in the first half, but his fantasy value was redeemed late in the game when he scored a touchdown.
- Hopefully, Hockenson will have an opportunity to heal during their bye week and be back to his usual self in Week 14.
Jared Allen Among Hall of Fame Semifinalists
The 25 Modern-Era Player Semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024 were announced Tuesday morning on NFL Network and NFL.com.
Vikings Ring of Honor defensive end Jared Allen is among the group that will now be evaluated and reduced to 15 player finalists before the Hall of Fame's selection committee votes for the Class of 2024 early next year.
Allen recorded 136 career sacks, including 85.5 with Minnesota from 2008-13. He helped the Vikings make the playoffs in three of those six seasons and came just shy of the NFL's single-season sacks record (22.5) when he totaled 22 in 2011.
The 25 semifinalists were chosen from a group of 173 nominees. The 15 finalists will be joined by Coach/Contributor Committee nominee Buddy Parker and Seniors Committee nominees Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell.
The Hall of Fame's 50-person selection committee will select the Class of 2024 in advance of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The class will be announced live on the NFL Honors telecast scheduled to air Feb. 8. While there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the bylaws for the Selection Committee provide that between four and nine new members will be selected.
The Coach/Contributor and Seniors Finalists are voted "yes" or "no" for election at the annual selection meeting and must receive at least 80 percent support from the Committee to be elected. The Modern-Era Player Finalists will be trimmed during the meeting from 15 to 10, then from 10 to five. The remaining five finalists will be voted on individually, "yes" or "no," and must receive the same 80 percent positive vote as the Coach/Contributor and Seniors Finalists to earn election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
