Unless Brian Flores is preparing to throw a curveball, the Minnesota Vikings are going to blitz Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love on Sunday. It will be relentless. And the Packers better be ready to identify and block Flores’ four primary blitzers.
According to data from PFF, the Vikings have four linebackers or defensive backs who have blitzed at least 40 times over the team’s first seven games:
— LB Jordan Hicks: 73 blitzes
— S Josh Mettelus: 50
— LB Ivan Pace: 49
— S Harrison Smith: 40
How often are these four blitzing?
Hicks, the team’s primary off-ball linebacker, is blitzing on one out of every four passing snaps. Mettelus, a box safety, is blitzing on one out of every five. Smith has to play more coverage but he’s still blitzing at 15 percent.
The Packers must alert when Pace (No. 40) is on the field in a passing situation. The rookie is blitzing at almost 40 percent of the time, and he’s been very effective, producing nine pressures on 49 blitzes.
Overall, Hicks, Mettelus, Pace and Smith have combined for 31 total pressures, including nine quarterback hits.
Flores is blitzing on over 60 percent of passing snaps this season.
There are ways to beat the blitz. Last week, the 49ers put Christian McCaffrey in motion and threw a quick swing pass against an 8-man blitz, and McCaffrey made one player missed and raced for a touchdown. The Vikings had two unblocked players but it didn’t matter. Blitzing opens up opportunities in space if Love and the Packers can get the ball out quick.
The question for Sunday: Can the Packers anticipate the blitz looks and have answers ready pre and post snap? Jordan Love is inexperienced. The offensive line has struggled. The receivers and tight ends are young. The Packers offense will be stressed by Flores and his four top blitzers on Sunday.