If the Indianapolis Colts are going to contain the Minnesota offense that comes into the game ranked top-10 in points per game, it’s going to start with the defensive line getting after the quarterback.
While Minnesota has put up a lot of points and been among the best at generating big plays through the passing game, if there’s an area where the Colts can take advantage, it’s in the trenches.
The Vikings will enter this game having allowed the second-highest quarterback pressure rate this season. They’ve been particularly vulnerable along the interior, but they also recently traded for left tackle Cam Robinson from Jacksonville after Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending injury.
As of now, having just arrived in Minnesota, Robinson’s status for Sunday’s game is up in the air–or at least that is what’s being portrayed.
Steady pressure on the quarterback can disrupt the timing and rhythm of the play, along with potentially leading to mistakes. On the season, Vikings’ quarterback Sam Darnold is completing only 51.8 percent of his throws when under pressure, according to PFF.
On the flip side, with time in the pocket, Darnold’s completion rate jumps to 73.7 percent and his yards per attempt sky-rocket from 6.9 to 9.2. Or in short, asking any secondary to cover Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison for an extended period of time is not a recipe for success.
With DeForest Buckner back in the defensive line rotation, not coincidentally, the Colts had their best pass rush performance this past Sunday against Houston, pressuring CJ Stroud on nearly 50 percent of his dropbacks.
Saying that winning at the line of scrimmage and pressuring the quarterback is important certainly isn’t ground-breaking information. But while the Colts’ have been able to overcome at times a lack-luster pass rush, that won’t be the case this week. This unit has to get after Darnold, or it could be a long day.