EAGAN, Minn. — As the Minnesota Vikings maintained a 10-point advantage late in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans, Titans quarterback Will Levis faced a pivotal fourth-and-4 from the Minnesota 43-yard line. Positioned in the shotgun formation, Levis encountered a strong defensive front from the Vikings. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores employed a six-man blitz look at the line, but as the play unfolded, the linebackers dropped back, allowing the defensive line to carry out the pressure.
Vikings player’s Patrick Jones overpowered Titans right guard Peter Skoronski, the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, managing to sack Levis for a loss of six yards with 8:32 remaining, thus handing Minnesota a turnover on downs. This late-game play was crucial in securing the Vikings’ 23-13 win, improving their record to 8-2. Throughout the season, the Vikings have consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks, frequently without the need for additional rushers.
“We all rushed collectively and worked off each other,” said Jones, who recorded two of the five sacks against Levis, all achieved without extra rushing assistance. “It was just about playing freely and having a good time.” Currently, with standout performances from Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Jones — all nearing double-digit sacks — the Vikings are on track to achieve a milestone of having three players with over 10 sacks in a single season for just the third time in the team’s history.
Coach Kevin O’Connell emphasized the strength of the unit, stating that collectively, they have become a significant asset for the team. The recruitment of Greenard and Van Ginkel during free agency, paired with the departure of four-time Pro Bowl player Danielle Hunter, has revitalized the Vikings’ pass rush. Flores continues to call blitzes at an impressive rate; however, the team has noticeably reduced the extra rushers utilized compared to last season.
By regularly cycling out interior linemen and deploying four edge rushers, Flores has discovered an effective strategy for sustaining pressure while minimizing heavy blitz reliance. His tactics often include sending additional rushers such as inside linebackers Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace, along with safeties Josh Metellus and Harrison Smith, to keep opponents second-guessing their offensive protection plans.
“Our front line did a fantastic job stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback,” Smith remarked, highlighting the challenge it posed for opposing offenses.
On the defensive front, the Vikings exhibited a nearly unyielding discipline against the run, with Titans running back Tony Pollard experiencing a frustrating day, yielding only nine carries for 15 yards. The Vikings successfully thwarted five running plays resulting in negative yardage.
However, the Vikings’ running game requires improvement for the offense to stay on course. They struggled to gain momentum on the ground against Tennessee, averaging just 2.48 yards on 33 attempts.
Meanwhile, quarterback Sam Darnold rebounded effectively after a rough two-game stretch that included five interceptions and one fumble. Despite a lost fumble due to a bobbled toss from Aaron Jones, Darnold remained composed, not forcing any risky throws and demonstrating aggression when necessary. He currently ranks among the top in the league for touchdown passes, yards per attempt, and passer rating. “I’m extremely proud of how he performed,” O’Connell commented.
On the downside, the game against the Titans marked a disappointing outing for the 2022 draft class, which has struggled to contribute effectively to the team’s otherwise strong roster. Among the remaining five players from that class, right guard Ed Ingram was replaced by Dalton Risner, wide receiver Jalen Nailor dropped a critical 46-yard touchdown opportunity late in the fourth quarter, and running back Ty Chandler, now third at his position, incurred a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty during punt coverage. Linebacker Brian Asamoah and cornerback Akayleb Evans have been relegated to special teams roles.
Injury updates reveal that tight end Josh Oliver exited the matchup due to a sprained ankle, which raises uncertainties regarding his availability in the following week. Oliver’s contributions have eased T.J. Hockenson’s return from knee surgery, with Oliver taking 41 of 73 snaps in the contest while Hockenson played 35.
Looking at team statistics, the Vikings are currently averaging 3.5 sacks per game, ranking third in the NFL and matching their second-best single-season rate in the franchise history, although the 1989 team holds the record with an impressive 4.4 sacks per game.
Moving forward, the Minnesota Vikings are preparing for their next challenge, set to face the Chicago Bears on Sunday. This matchup marks the first of two encounters within a span of four weeks against a Bears team that has been struggling with four consecutive losses.