Quote: @"Geoff Nichols" said:
The reason the Vikings defense is consistently strong is because they do a great job at making in-game adjustments. Once an opposing offense starts setting up plays and targeting a weakness the defense pivots and takes it away. Its just a strong combination of the players fully grasping the system and play calling. So although it would be hard to completely expose the defense there are 2-3 things that could get an offense moving.
1. Inside trap runs. Teams understand that you're not going to block Linval. But you can take advantage of his first step up field and trap him behind the play. That leaves Tom Johnson 1on1 with the RB which is advantageous. The Rams started doing this to some success but the Vikings quickly fixed the hole with a variety of substitutions and twists.
2. Play action against the base defense. Teams have been working for years to keep the Vikings in their base defense and attacking the WLB through the air. Zimmer has done a good job hiding Gedeon but if a team gets moving, play action will make him vulnerable. Depending on coverage (man or C3) Gedeon is going to be covering a TE/slot receiver across the field or up the seam. If you attack it enough its bound to break. The Rams also attacked this effectively and almost had a big play down the field to Higgbee. Gedeon made it a tough throw but was beat.
3. Isolate the slot CB and challenge them up the seam. When you spread out the Vikings DB's and go 5-wide you're going to get Mac or Newman lined up over the receiver. If you catch them in zone you are going to be able to beat the slot CB up the seam with potentially no safety protecting against it. The Lions worked this at the end of the game last week and nearly had Tate for a 75 TD if Stafford didn't overthrow the ball.
Stopping or slowing down the Vikings offense is an easier task. Shurmur has done a masterful job with calling plays but the personnel still leaves some holes. Ultimately you're going to force Shurmur to play to the Vikings weaknesses.
1. The best teams are going to be able to completely take Thielen away. Fortunately Diggs is also a man beater but once you're shying away from a receiver it gets easier for DB's to make plays on the ball. Nobody has done it yet but taking away Thielen is going to force the Vikings to make tougher decisions.
2. Take away the flats. All year the Vikings have taken advantage of the flats. 10-12 yards down the field they love comebacks and then expose a defense sitting on them with easy WR screens for 4-5 yard gains with the potential for more. If a team makes an emphasis on taking anything 10 yards and in away on the outside Rudy is going to have space over the middle. Case hasn't had to make many throws over the middle of the field all season and he's struggled with it.
The offense is much better than last season since they run game has given them options. A season ago the Vikings were consistently putting themselves behind the chains with negative plays. Basically, the running game has been a beating drum with the passing game being a periodic cymbal crash. Take away the beating drum and I think it'd be a long day for the offense outside some very explosive plays.
Horrible, just horrible. Hopefully Atlanta isn't reading this!
Kidding. We will see how the offense does this game. Atlanta tends to take away the flats and outside, making teams work the middle. Shurmur and Case will have their work cut out for them this week.
As to the defense, would love to hear more about how are defense adjusts. Last year it was Robison learning the protections of the offense in the first drive or 2. Seems similar now, but Robison isn't out there as much to be the coach on the field. But the plan seems the same. Take a drive or 2 to figure out the offense while playing rather conservative. Then completely clamping down after that and often just eliminating most of what the offense does. It is fascinating.
