Vikings defense vs. Jaguars tight end Evan Engram
Wheel routes off motion. H-back bubble screens. Corner routes out of the slot. Shallow crossers from a traditional alignment. Evan Engram is a mismatch for linebackers and safeties wherever he’s stationed.
Engram was sidelined four games after injuring his hamstring in pregame warmups in Week 2, but he has been automatic in his return, catching 24 of 30 targets for 218 yards and a touchdown in four appearances. In Jacksonville’s first of two games played in London, the 30-year-old TE snared all 10 targets for 102 yards. He earned 10 targets, again, in Week 9, becoming one of five TEs this season with 10-plus at least twice.
Also on that list are Tampa Bay’s Cade Otton (3 in 9 games), Kansas City’s Travis Kelce (3 in 8), Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers (3 in 9) and Dallas’ Jake Ferguson (2 in 7). FYI, Engram has done it in the fewest games (5).
Since 2023, Engram ranks second among tight ends and eighth regardless of position with 139 catches. Last season, he ranked second at TE to Cleveland’s David Njoku (599) with 508 yards after the catch.
All this to say, it will be key for the Vikings to limit the connections between Lawrence and Engram. Tape exists of tight ends beating Minnesota’s defense – in Weeks 2 and 4, San Francisco’s George Kittle and Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft posted 7-76-1 and 6-53-1 receiving lines.
More recently Minnesota has been susceptible to losing over the middle of the field in three games without starting Mike linebacker Blake Cashman, who excels in taking away curl/hitch routes inside the numbers and has great instincts carrying a target up the seam, the Vikings are short-staffed and weaker against the pass. Cashman might be available in Week 10.
But no matter, Engram is the do-it-all weapon in Jacksonville’s offense that can really wear on a defense.