Another Week of Quality Pass Defense Incoming for Vikings

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings have gotten quality defense again this season, thanks to the scheme of mastermind Brian Flores. That doesn’t mean they are infallible in all aspects, and the pass defense has certainly left something to be desired. That couldn’t have been further from the truth last weekend, and they could replicate the effort on Sunday.

Another Week of Quality Pass Defense Incoming for Vikings

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a bad football team. Sam Darnold did everything in his power to lose for the Minnesota Vikings, and the defense wouldn’t allow it to happen. That’s largely because Mac Jones is a terrible quarterback. The Vikings held him to just 14-of-22 passing and gave up only 111 yards. He never found the end zone through the air and turned the ball over twice.

John Jones-Imagn Images.

That bodes well for Minnesota on Sunday because Will Levis is cut from a cloth similar to Jones’. The Tennessee Titans quarterback is also not good. He has an even 7/7 TD/INT ratio this year and has thrown for just 874 yards on 148 passes. To say that the guys playing for Flores should be licking their chops would be an incredible understatement.

Last week the Vikings got to Jones without needing to dial up consistent pressure. That can also be the case against Levis, and Flores can disguise looks that will likely confuse the former Kentucky product. There’s a good chance Levis isn’t the Titans starting quarterback next year, and more terrible performances should get him there.

John Jones-Imagn Images.

It’s also something of an audition for Sam Darnold. The likelihood that Darnold is paid handsomely as a free agent still exists. He should be the best quarterback available on the open market. With the Titans likely searching for someone to lead their team, Darnold could show them what he has to offer.

There are a handful of landing spots for quarterbacks each year, but Darnold probably has already crossed out the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. He has nothing against the Tennessee Titans, and his current employer could put together a good tape of exactly why they need him.

Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores chatting with Tatum Everett on February 15th, 2023. The Vikings hired Flores from the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was a linebackers coach for one season.

Soft landing spots for the Vikings’ defense keep popping up. If they continue to capitalize on them, Sunday should be fun.

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.