The defense that helped Minnesota start the season with a 5-0 record by creating a strong pass rush and tackling well against the run has had a tough week, facing challenges from two smart quarterbacks and their skilled play-callers.
Just four days after suffering their first loss of the season to Detroit’s powerful offense, the Vikings were defeated again in Los Angeles by another strong team using a similar strategy.
Like Jared Goff did for the Lions in their 31-29 win on Sunday, the Vikings struggled against the Rams’ Matthew Stafford in LA’s 30-20 victory on Thursday night. Goff and Stafford combined to complete 47 of 59 passes for 559 yards and six touchdowns, while the one turnover the Vikings managed to create in each game wasn’t enough to slow down the other teams.
There’s no shame in allowing big plays to quarterbacks like Goff and Stafford. The Lions are doing well under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, with one of the most balanced lineups in the league, ranking second in the NFL in yards per game and third in points.
The Rams, unfortunately for the Vikings, welcomed back standout wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua from injuries and quickly found their rhythm, reminiscent of their Super Bowl-winning team from three years ago.
In the game against the Lions, the Vikings sacked Goff four times with some effective pressure early and late, but he was mostly able to play comfortably in the middle of the game. They didn’t manage to sack Stafford at all, recording their first game without a sack and only getting two hits on him.
One of the most painful moments came in the second quarter when Jonathan Greenard used a spin move to get into the backfield and force Stafford to move up in the pocket. As Harrison Phillips moved in to finish the sack, Stafford ducked under him and threw a touchdown pass to Kupp.
With linebacker Blake Cashman out for the second game in a row due to a turf toe injury, the Vikings struggled more against the run. The different blitzes and disguises that defensive coordinator Brian Flores had used successfully this year didn’t cause much trouble for Goff, and even less for Stafford.
Rams coach Sean McVay also called several screen passes to take advantage of his receivers’ speed and to get the ball out of Stafford’s hands quickly.
Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin said, “We’ve been dealing with teams that kind of hit us in those same areas, take advantage of that. We’re seeing more screens. We’re seeing more run attacks.
They’re trying to get us to tackle, setting up plays so they can ditch-and-dump here and there. I don’t think this will be the last time we’re going to see this, so there’s a lot we’ve got to fix.”
Alignment and communication were ongoing issues on Thursday, and Cashman’s absence certainly didn’t help. “I think everybody’s still in high spirits,” Griffin said, “but no one likes this feeling.”
Even worse than losing back-to-back games is losing star left tackle Christian Darrisaw for the rest of the season. Darrisaw suffered torn ligaments in his left knee, coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday.
