matchup with the Green Bay Packers, there is a lot of buzz about the Vikings. There’s a lot to like about this team, but I enjoy the defense — and I am not alone. Brian Flores and his defense are the talk of the league right now and are receiving a lot of praise.
Brian Flores and His Defense Are the Talk of the NFL
Head coach Kevin O’Connell and QB Sam Darnold get a lot of the attention for the Viking’s 3-0 start. They deserve the credit they are getting for their part. However, there is no doubt that their jobs are being made easier by a rampant Vikings defense. Darnold is the latest quarterback to salvage his NFL career after a slow start. You can see Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, and even Justin Fields. The Vikings are well set on offense for a QB to succeed with O’Connell’s ability to nurture his signal-caller and plenty of weapons, led by Justin Jefferson to help Darnold.
 looks on during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/greenardminny.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=670,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/greenardminny.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/greenardminny.jpg” alt><figcaption> Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>A defense that looks as good as any in the league gives the offense even more chances to succeed. When the Vikings’ defense terrorized the Giants’ defense in Week 1, there was an element of its only the Giants. In Week 2, the 49ers were missing Christian McCaffrey, and O’Connell had proven he had Kyle Shanahan’s number the year before. The Week 3 decimation of the Texans opened everyone’s eyes. CJ Stroud, one of the league’s most talented young quarterbacks, was seeing ghosts. </p>
<p>Stroud was pulled out of the game in the fourth quarter with the game lost. The indignity of being pulled is not how Stroud envisioned his first trip to US Bank stadium. Flores completely outmaneuvered the Texans, and the offensive coordinator, Bobby Slowik, and the Vikings’ defense dominated the day. In the aftermath of the game, there was talk of the Vikings being one of the best-coached teams in the league, of O’Connell and Flores being the best offensive and defensive play-caller duo in the league, and even of Flores’ stock rising in league circles that another chance at a head coaching gig could be on the horizon.</p>
<h2>The Flores Defense</h2>
<p>What has made the Viking’s defense so good at the start of the season? It’s much the same as what made Minnesota’s defense effective at the beginning of last season and what Flores has built his reputation on. His reputation as an aggressive defensive play-caller is well-established. From his time as a defensive play caller – most notably as head coach of the Miami Dolphins – to his brief tenure with the Steelers, Flores has been known to send all kinds of blitzes.</p>
<p>Last season, Minnesota was the only team that blitzed above 50% of its plays. This year, the approach has not been quite so gung-ho, but the Vikings are still among the most blitz-heavy teams in the league at 39.3%.</p>
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in defensive DVOA, lead the league with 16 sacks, have allowed the second-fewest points through three games, and are coming off wins against two highly-rated offenses. I don’t foresee a massive drop-off from the Vikings’ defense over the rest of the season. Flores has enough of the right players for his creativity to keep working.
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