Falcons’ pass rush will test Case Keenum’s pocket presence

[purplefaithful]

Case Keenum’s performance against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving may have been his best of the year when you consider that he was routinely under duress.
According to Pro Football Focus, Keenum was pressured on 51.4 percent of his dropbacks (18 of 35), but completed 7-of-13 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Keenum is gaining a reputation as having a strong pocket presence. He’s only been sacked seven times this season and has made a number of plays after dodging pressure. But like everything else with the former Texan and Ram, it’s fair to wonder if it will last considering he was one of the NFL’s lowest rated passers under pressure last season.
Atlanta’s defense is among the best in the NFL against the pass in large part because of their pass rush. The Falcons are allowing 6.4 yards per attempt, which ranks only behind Jacksonville and Philadelphia, and have sacked opposing quarterbacks 30 times (ninth in the NFL).
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/1...-presence/

[Guest]

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has done an exceptional job this season of creating deception through play-action. The Vikings are tied for third in the NFL in yards per attempt (9.6) on play-action throws. They also use play-action on 25% of passes, the second most in the NFL. The question is whether Keenum will have time to turn his back to the pass rush or if Atlanta’s speedy linebackers and DBs will recover quickly from the moment of hesitation caused by a fake handoff.
The Vikings’ running game and defense have been huge contributors to their passing success by forcing opponents to fear McKinnon and Latavius Murray and by mostly allowing Keenum to play in situations where they are either close or ahead. He has only thrown 29 passes this season when down by more than one score.
The run game and defense will have to play a big role again because the Vikings certainly don’t want him to have to test Keenum’s pocket presence in a comeback situation.

[Guest]

The Vikings’ running game and defense have been huge contributors to their passing success by forcing opponents to fear McKinnon and Latavius Murray and by mostly allowing Keenum to play in situations where they are either close or ahead. He has only thrown 29 passes this season when down by more than one score.

This would be the last piece of the Case puzzle...start of the 4th quarter, down two scores, can he lead us back...

[Guest]

@"BarrNone55" said:
The Vikings’ running game and defense have been huge contributors to their passing success by forcing opponents to fear McKinnon and Latavius Murray and by mostly allowing Keenum to play in situations where they are either close or ahead. He has only thrown 29 passes this season when down by more than one score.

This would be the last piece of the Case puzzle...start of the 4th quarter, down two scores, can he lead us back...

Yup...the best defense against the pass rush is having Murray run for 125 yards and McKinnon about 100 combined yards.  That'll keep the D lineman home.

[Guest]

Kinda wonder about Atlanta's sack numbers.  Are they skewed because of playing Dallas and the one guy getting 5 sacks himself?

[Guest]

@Ralphie said:

@"BarrNone55" said:
The Vikings’ running game and defense have been huge contributors to their passing success by forcing opponents to fear McKinnon and Latavius Murray and by mostly allowing Keenum to play in situations where they are either close or ahead. He has only thrown 29 passes this season when down by more than one score.

This would be the last piece of the Case puzzle...start of the 4th quarter, down two scores, can he lead us back...

Yup...the best defense against the pass rush is having Murray run for 125 yards and McKinnon about 100 combined yards.  That'll keep the D lineman home.

Should have put it in VELSPÁR.  Mckinnon throws a TD

[Guest]

The Rams were supposed to be the big test with Donald and Co. They are one spot behind Atlanta, and probably more consistent.  My hope is this line keeps rolling.

[Guest]

thouht the Rams pass rush was supposed to do this too?

[Guest]

@PSBLAKE said:
thouht the Rams pass rush was supposed to do this too?

Yah, but on the road is so much more difficult...

[Guest]

Play our game and get after Qb.  Don't need any come from the back down two Tds for me.  Stomp'em from the get go and keep the roll on CASE


I prefer to see our team playing like a  playoff-stretch caliber team.  Not struggling to satisfy my doubts about our current starting Qb.