Do the Vikings Have a Mid Problem?
On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings defense balled out against the Detroit Lions. Brian Flores’ unit held an otherwise impressive offense to just 24 points, and they pulled off a massive upset against a division rival. That doesn’t mean it was a perfect level of execution.
The Minnesota Vikings’ defense has proven problematic over the middle in recent weeks, and it’s on Brian Flores to tighten up coverage.
If there has been a defensive theme this season, it has revolved around just how soft Minnesota is in the middle of the field. Cornerbacks have handled the edges, and linebackers have been adept in the box. No one covers the middle of the field, though, and opposing quarterbacks have picked Minnesota apart.
Vikings Continue Middle-of-the-Field Exposure on Defense
After seeing it happen repeatedly in their disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Sam LaPorta’s scoring on a pass over the middle was maddening.
It was 4th and 4. Rather than turn the ball over, Minnesota allowed Jared Goff to hit his tight end at the 20-yard line. Somehow, inexplicably so, he scored from that spot. The safety coverage was soft, and the ability to bring down LaPorta was nonexistent.
This has now become a theme for multiple weeks. The Vikings utilize both Harrison Smith and Theo Jackson in traditional safety roles. Josh Metellus is being used as a roaming utility juncture. As a whole, the secondary’s back-end has left plenty to be desired.
With Brian Flores opting to use his linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage, the opposition has access to the intermediate passing game. Eric Wilson sacked Goff twice on Sunday, but he and Blake Cashman were often not leaned upon in coverage.
If the Vikings are going to utilize a safety tandem that is now a combination of old and inexperienced, Metellus has to contribute over the middle. It’s not always straightforward to throw passes over the bulk of coverage, but with the amount of real estate the Vikings allow between the hashes, opposing quarterbacks should rarely need to turn their heads.
Lamar Jackson will attempt to exploit Minnesota similarly on Sunday, and Flores will need to scheme against that going forward.
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