Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill is typically a model of consistency and reliability. He's been a rock at that position for each of the last six seasons, earning a $92.5 million extension prior to the 2021 campaign and making his first Pro Bowl later that year.
His most recent performance was a rare dud. In the Vikings' disheartening loss to the Bears a couple Mondays ago, O'Neill went up against Montez Sweat and lost the matchup decisively. Per PFF, he allowed a career-high six pressures and surrendered two sacks in one game for just the second time in 93 career appearances.
O'Neill's pass blocking grade on the night was a 44.7, his lowest of the year by nearly 20 points and his worst mark since his rookie season in 2018. That tells you quite a bit about how consistently good O'Neill has been and how unusual his poor performance was on Monday night (though he still graded well as a run-blocker, as he typically does).
Things aren't going to get any easier for O'Neill this weekend. In fact, they're getting even more difficult. Sweat is a great player, but O'Neill's matchup this weekend is Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, a former All-Pro and DPOY vote-getter in the prime of his career at 26 years old. Crosby, who mostly lines up against right tackles, has 11.5 sacks, 64 pressures, and a 91.8 PFF grade this season. He's not far behind the likes of Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt, and Nick Bosa in the elite tier of edge rushers this league has to offer.
In order for Josh Dobbs to have a bounce-back outing and for Justin Jefferson's return from injury to be successful, the Vikings need O'Neill to step up and prevent Crosby from wrecking the game. He'll get help from his tight ends and backs at times, but there will also be plays where he's left 1-on-1 with Crosby in pass protection.
That matchup could go a long way in determining the result of Sunday's game.
More must-reads: