For a team like the Vikings, field position is the name of the game. Leaning on a dominant defense and a punishing rushing attack, the Vikings play an old-school style of football. Rather than opening up the offense with deep passes and getting into shoot-outs, the team opts to move the ball methodically, control the clock, and trust the defense to make stops.
For that brand of football to work, it is crucial to pin the opponent deep in their territory and start with positive field position for the offense.
Unfortunately, due to the inconsistent leg of punter Jeff Locke, the Vikings couldn’t do that with any regularity.