Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
We have seen the best and worst of the Minnesota Vikings’ defense this season. There has been far more of the former than the latter, and Brian Flores has consistently looked like one of the best coordinators in the league.
For the first time on Sunday, the defense could have the peak of their talent available.
For the past few weeks, free agent linebacker Blake Cashman has been dealing with turf toe. The injury has kept him out of the lineup, forcing multiple players to step up in his absence. Andrew Van Ginkel was also beaten up against the Indianapolis Colts, forcing rookie Dallas Turner into a more prominent role.
For the first time this season, it seemed as though the Alabama edge rusher was comfortable with his role, and he truly thrived. Flores talked about a relatively consistent level of play going forward, and Turner bringing it like he did gives the coach another weapon. If Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. are healthy and ready to go Sunday, then the middle of the field will return to where it was designed when the season started.
Van Ginkel can again focus on getting to the passer with Jonathan Greenard on the other side. Hunter slots in as a rotational guy who can pin his ears back every time he steps on the field. As a whole, that group should generate nothing short of nightmares for the opposition. If Flores can orchestrate it properly, then the Vikings will have a chance to post their best performance of the season.
Injuries happen all the time in the NFL. A franchise winning is often largely about managing through players being unavailable on a week-by-week basis. So far, the Vikings have had to navigate that in some key areas, but rolling out your best is always fun. Trevor Lawrence won’t be under center on Sunday for Jacksonville, and that means backup Mac Jones will face a tough test.
The last time Jacksonville’s signal caller saw Minnesota, he carved them up. That was an Ed Donatell defense, and you can bet that Kevin O’Connell won’t allow Brian Flores to have the same result.
This weekend Minnesota should be close to all systems go on defense. That’s a great thing for everyone involved with the purple.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.