Beyond the amount of pressure the Minnesota Vikings produce with their defense, the club’s other calling card comes down to creating confusion. From pre-snap looks to post-snap rotation, the New Orleans Saints must be ready to predict the unpredictable against defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
When lining up before the snap, it won’t be unusual to see up to seven or even eight Vikings defenders lined up at the line of scrimmage.
While New Orleans and quarterback Tyler Shough will know that pressure is on the way (the Vikings blitz 67.8% of the time) they’ll also have to work to diagnose exactly where that pressure is coming from.
In some cases, Vikings safety Harrison Smith will blitz from the line. In other cases, he will drop back into a deep zone.
The team’s versatility stands out. As a rush five, drop six style defense, the group has a number of defenders that can rush or provide coverage with their responsibilities changing from the same pre-snap look on a down-in, down-out basis.
With the confusion this can create, the Vikings have a knack not just for getting to the quarterback, but for getting to the ball.
The team’s plus-five turnover margin is an important element of their 4-0 record.
With four interceptions and three fumble recoveries, Minnesota has shown a propensity for taking away the football and stifling the momentum on opposing offenses. It’s one of the main reasons the team is undefeated despite their offense not scoring a touchdown in two games.
Everything starts up front.
Each of the Vikings’ turnovers came on plays where pressure had been generated. But the marriage of rush and coverage, as well as the team’s ability to affect the play, make the Saints protection needs about much more than the quarterback, but about the ball as well.
Shough’s ongoing connection with wide receivers Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, as well as tight ends Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant, will be the team’s best shot at avoiding going winless over their three-game home stretch.
Minnesota will do everything it can to limit the impact of the Saints’ receivers, such as rushing Shough’s time in the pocket, confusing the offense and making plays on the football.
New Orleans will have to play a truly clean and precise game in order to avoid that.
