Brian Flores – Syndication Server

5 takeaways from the Vikings win over the Bears on Monday Night

The Minnesota Vikings had a lot to play for, and they put their foot to the floor and never let up after a strong first half. Brian Flores had Caleb Williams in pieces mentally from the pressure and coverage they were giving him. On offense, Kevin …

Either way, you look, the tone was set in the first quarter, and the Vikings never looked back as the Bears had no chance.

The Bears were held scoreless in the first half, and in the second half, they could never find the endzone. The Vikings played for a lot on Monday Night, and they delivered for everyone from Randy Moss to their fans.

Here are five takeaways from the one-sided meeting between the Vikings and Bears on Monday night.

Brian Flores saw what the Bears and Caleb Williams gave him in their first matchup, and he must have said to himself, “That is not happening again.” He shut out the Bears offense in the first half and smothered them in pressures all game. He also dominated them on third down and was able to force turnovers to leave Caleb Williams and this offense feeling lost from the first whistle. Flores is in his bag right now, and the Vikings will be lucky to keep him on staff in 2025.

When Brian O’Neill left the game, we saw the pressure immediately come from the Bears’ front seven. The team cannot overcome an injured Brian O’Neill this late in the season, so it is paramount that if he does miss time, they figure something out. Whether it be they line up Johnny Mundt or Nick Muse on that edge to help David Quessenberry out or give Sam Darnold more safety valves. Either way, this offensive line has proven to be more important than the quarterback because without one you can’t have the other.

Both members of the turnover dance duo, Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus, are set to be free agents in 2025. The Vikings can afford one high-price safety, but can they afford two? Metellus is playing at a Pro Bowl level in 2024, and his versatility only increases his value. It will be interesting to see how he performs down the stretch because he is getting paid, but by whom?

The Brian Flores defense came into Week 15, leading the NFL with a 39% blitz rate. That aggressive defense allows for the offense to be aggressive. The defense is forcing turnovers and stopping teams on third downs, and when you have that, the offense can take more chances. The Vikings went for it more on fourth down; they are pushing the ball down the field, and being able to do those things against the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles can make a difference in those expected playoff matchups.

The offense struggled in the first half and into the third, but everything settled down once they started leaning on Aaron Jones. They were using him at running back, receiver, and even tight end in certain alignments including one that saw him convert a third and 16 on a run after the catch. Sam Darnold is great, the wide receivers are elite, and they have a top five tight end but it is the veteran running back who makes all the difference in the world for this offense.

Dan Graziano hints Brian Flores may have a hard time getting a HC job

With just five weeks to go in the season, the heat is rising on a potential Brian Flores departure for a head coaching position—or is it?

Brian Flores’s work with the Vikings defense in 2024 is among the best of any coach in the NFL. That unit’s play played a big role in the team’s 10-2 record as they head into Week 14.

With just five weeks to go in the season, the heat is rising on a potential Brian Flores departure for a head coaching position—or is it?

Dan Graziano of ESPN discussed the potential of Flores leaving for a head coaching job this week. However, one obstacle that teams may have in giving him that role is his ongoing lawsuit with the NFL for discrimination.

“t’s tough to say with Flores, because of that lawsuit. I know the Giants liked him a lot when they hired Brian Daboll three years ago, but the extent to which the Giants’ process was implicated in the lawsuit rubbed that organization the wrong way. . .I think Flores is a good and interesting candidate on several levels, but you’re right. The questions surrounding him are very specific and could be tough obstacles for him to overcome in this cycle.”

While everyone wants to see people get the best opportunities, Flores’s return wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Vikings. The defense and their playmakers are under contract for at least another year, which would give him more time to strengthen his case for a head coaching job.

Brian Flores expecting the ‘best’ version of Kirk Cousins in Week 14

Despite their recent run, Brian Flores and the Vikings defense expect a good Falcons and Kirk Cousins on Sunday.

The Minnesota Vikings have to be excited to welcome a familiar face to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Kirk Cousins and his new Atlanta Falcons come into town with a 6-6 record and coming off three straight losses.

Despite their recent run, Brian Flores and the Vikings defense expect a good Falcons and Kirk Cousins on Sunday.

When speaking to the media on Tuesday, the Vikings defensive coordinator was asked about their former quarterback. Flores shared, “He’s played some good football, I think the people in this building know what Kirk can do.”

Flores was asked a follow-up question about Cousins’s coming off his worst game of the year, in which he threw four interceptions, and he gave a simple response.

“He’s a bounce-back type of guy, I’m expecting his best.”

Prior to their recent run, Cousins has thrown 13 touchdowns to three interceptions over his last five games for the Falcons. The Vikings will have their work cut out for them, have no doubt about it.

What will offseason coverage look like for Vikings Wire?

As a Viking fan reading this, you want that team to struggle but it is important to understand their team as much as you do with Minnesota.

The Minnesota Vikings are having a season that not many expected, especially not here on Vikings Wire. Before the season started, we made a prediction that has proven not to be close to right, and we own that. What we want to do, though, is offer complete coverage for the Vikings and the entire NFC North.

As a Vikings fan reading this, I know you want NFC North teams to struggle, but it is important to understand those teams as much as you do with Minnesota. That means our coverage this offseason is going to be complete.

Let me lay out the talking points and things to look for as we get into December and beyond with this special Vikings team.

Coaching Staff Coverage

Kevin O’Connell isn’t going anywhere, the whole world knows that, but defensive coordinator Brian Flores has earned another chance to be a head coach. Not to be forgotten, look for Wes Phillips to get interviews potentially for the work the offense is doing.

We will cover all those potential interviews, letting you know where they could go if they get a chance. We will also make sure you know everything you need to about any replacements or new additions the coaching staff may have.

Free Agent Coverage

The Vikings have many players who will be free agents in the offseason. The biggest names include Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, Aaron Jones, Sam Darnold, and Camryn Bynum. In all, they have 35 pending free agents, which means this roster could look very different in 2025.

The team only has five draft picks at this point, so free agency should be exciting for them. They are riding a hot hand in that department after finding Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Blake Cashman last cycle, so look for them to be active once again.

NFL Draft Coverage

Now, for this part, some people may check out or stay tuned in. The NFL Draft is the biggest event on the football calendar outside of the Super Bowl. Every team and its fanbase get excited, and the results lead to new hope being eternal for every fanbase.

We will be doing draft reports on the Vikings’ and other teams’ needs in the NFC North. Winning the division has never been a bigger mountain to climb, so keeping tabs on everyone is crucial.

We hope you stay tuned to Vikings Wire, where we will keep you informed about everything related to the team and the NFC North.

Vikings waive cornerback Akayleb Evans ahead of Week 12 against Bears

Akayleb Evans, who started the season with meaningful reps, is now being waived by the Vikings ahead of their Week 12 matchup.

The Minnesota Vikings secondary has proven to be an asset to Brian Flores’s defense goals this season. His pressures up front have allowed the defensive backs to take advantage of rushed throws all year, but not everyone has.

Akayleb Evans, who started the season with meaningful reps, is now being waived by the Vikings ahead of their Week 12 matchup with the Bears.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media first reported the news on Saturday morning.

Ben Goessling of The Athletic pointed out that Evans had been relegated to special teams work in recent weeks, but his release was still a bit of a shock. The Vikings had five cornerbacks under contract beyond the season, but with Evans’s release, they now have just four.

The team has been bringing back players from the injured reserve, with the next one up being tight end Nick Muse. This could lead to his elevation to the active roster or to undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern seeing his first NFL action.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Minnesota Vikings: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter Week 10 coming off another tough loss on the road to the Philadelphia Eagles and will look to pull off an upset home victory against the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings.

Like last week, the Jaguars will be without some key players, including franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has been nursing a left shoulder injury this week. Losing Lawrence will be a hard blow for a team that has been relatively competitive largely because of his play in recent weeks.

However, there is a path to success that Jacksonville can follow. The Vikings do not have many weaknesses, but there are some areas the Jaguars can take advantage of to pave the road to an upset.

Jaguars Wire breaks down the key matchups that could be vital in ensuring win No. 3 for the Jaguars against the Vikings.

Jacksonville’s run game vs. Minnesota’s run defense

The Vikings own the NFL’s No. 2 rushing defense this season in yards allowed and have allowed the fewest rushing expected points added (EPA) this season. The Jaguars have found success on the ground this season and with Lawrence out, they will have to lean on their new star tailback Tank Bigsby.

A productive day from Bigbsy might be Jacksonville’s biggest key to victory this weekend. He is a tough runner to bring down, forcing a missed tackle on nearly 38 percent of his rushes, according to Next Gen Stats.

That’s good enough for the third-highest rate in football. Minnesota has struggled to tackle in space this season at the fifth-highest rate.

Bigsby has the skill set to handle a hefty workload on a moment’s notice. His downhill rushing ability and shiftiness in space make him a handful to bring down.

To add pressure for Minnesota, Bigsby can be a home run-hitting running back with his second-level explosiveness and quickness in the open field. It won’t be an easy go-around but this is strength vs. strength in this weekend’s matchup.

Jacksonville DE Josh Hines-Allen vs. Minnesota LT Cam Robinson

This matchup could be personal for both players. It was only a few weeks ago that Robinson was manning Lawrence’s blindside.

But after Vikings star left tackle Christian Darrisaw went down with a season-ending injury, they acquired Robinson and a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft choice in exchange for a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick.

The former Jaguar had an up-and-down career in North Florida. Robinson was playing steady football in pass protection with just a 7.1 percent pressure rate before he was traded. But he struggled against Indianapolis in his Vikings debut and is now tasked with slowing down Josh Hines-Allen for the first time as an opponent.

Jacksonville’s cornerstone pass rusher is tied with teammate Travon Walker for the most pressures on the team with 34. He’s as good as they come coming off the edge and is likely to spend most of his snaps lining up at right defensive end for his one-on-one matchup with Robinson.

Hines-Allen versus Robinson in the trenches is a key individual matchup that fans should have a keen eye on, one that could be a deciding factor in this weekend’s game.

Jacksonville QB Mac Jones vs. Minnesota pass defense

Losing a talent like Lawrence for just one or any number of games is a blow for the Jaguars. He’s the franchise quarterback and has played sound football for most of the season.

But now, it’s time for former Pro Bowler and once-surmised New England franchise signal-caller Mac Jones to make his starting debut with his hometown team.

Jones never proved to be the prolific quarterback from the incredible 2020 Alabama national championship roster in the NFL. More of a game-manager, a heavy dose of the run game and play-action should allow Jones to be fairly smooth sailing if things go according to plan.

However, the Jaguars might miss the vertical element that has been a staple of their offense with Jones under-center this weekend.

Jones will face a defense that is second in the NFL in blitz rate and has used split-safety coverage the most of any team this season. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has them playing some sound football and will pose a challenge for Jones this weekend.

Yet, there is a path where Jones performs well enough to put Jacksonville in a spot to pull off the upset. If he protects the ball and finds answers against pressure while giving receivers like Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington chances for run-after-catch plays, the Jaguars will be one step closer to victory.

NFL analyst wants to see Vikings trade for Raiders defensive tackle

Despite a two-game skid, the Vikings are still NFC contenders. One NFL analyst believes they should make a move to improve their defense.

Despite the recent two-game skid and some pessimism on the team that has crept in during the past two weeks, the Minnesota Vikings are still very much in the thick of the NFC playoff picture. Despite slipping to third in their own division, Minnesota is still one of the top teams in the conference by record and would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.

That makes them very much a contender, despite what their recent play might suggest. One of the biggest issues with the Vikings recently has been, surprisingly, the play of their defense. The defensive line and linebackers have not been able to create pressure like they were at the beginning of the season, and it’s putting strain on an already haphazard defensive backs unit.

One NFL analyst, CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan, believes the solution to the Vikings’ recent woes may come at the trade deadline. The Vikings have already been active on the trade market, trading for familiar running back Cam Akers and then filling the hole left by an injured Christian Darrisaw with former Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson, but they may not be done.

Sullivan suggests the Vikings contact the Las Vegas Raiders about defensive tackle Adam Butler. Butler is familiar with defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the defense he likes to run from his time with the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.

Despite not getting to the quarterback yet this season, Butler has one of the overall best seasons of his career in 2024 with the Raiders. Bringing Butler into the fold for the Vikings could give the team a great rotation of defensive tackles, keeping everyone fresher for longer and hopefully increasing their production.

Butler is currently on a one-year deal with the Raiders for only $1.8 million and would likely not command a high price. The price may be a bit higher than what the Vikings gave up for Robinson, but they should still be able to make a deal without touching their limited 2025 NFL Draft capital.

Vikings DC Brian Flores is happy with Dallas Turner’s development

Some folks have also noticed that Dallas Turner has been rather silent on a team full of game-wreckers on the edge.

The Vikings’ defense is firing on all cylinders and is on pace for a record-setting year. The group and the performance that Brian Flores has gotten out of them is getting noticed by everyone around the league.

Some folks have also noticed that Dallas Turner has been rather silent on a team full of game-wreckers on the edge.

The first-round pick out of Alabama came in and had high expectations. People often forget that the development of edge rushers from college to the NFL takes time to fully turn into the gamewreckers they were in college. Brian Flores spoke to the media on Tuesday and shared his thoughts on his development.

“I think Dallas has done a great job… I think he’s an ascending player, he’s been great in meetings, when his number is called he’s showing up.. we’re constantly trying to figure out how to get him in. He’s in a really good spot”

We can use Jonathan Greenard as an example of how long it can take for players to develop. In the first three years of his career, he had a total of 10.5 sacks before recording 16.5 in his last 20 games over the last two seasons.

It will take some time with Turner, Flores has faith, so you should have some faith as well. In the meantime, enjoy Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard coming off the edge full-time.

Vikings get defensive line help in ESPN’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft

The Minnesota Vikings get help along the defensive line in the latest 2025 NFL mock draft from ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid.

The Minnesota Vikings are still riding high as one of only two unbeaten teams left in the NFL. They’re sitting atop the toughest division in the NFL right now, the NFC North, and have their sights set on doing some big things this season. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start looking ahead towards the future of this team. That future starts with the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Vikings laid a good foundation with the 2024 NFL Draft, especially in the first round, grabbing who they believe to be the future of their franchise with quarterback J.J. McCarthy. They also make an effort to shore up their pass rush by taking edge rusher Dallas Turner with their second first-round pick. Turner has struggled some in his rookie campaign, but he still has a bright future ahead of him in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme.

While the Vikings have several high-quality pieces on both sides of the ball, several areas can be improved. According to ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid, the Vikings’ biggest areas of need heading into the 2025 NFL Draft are along the offensive line—particularly at guard, the defensive tackle spot, and cornerback.

So, where should the Vikings look next April?

Reid has the Vikings getting some defensive line help with the last pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, taking Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. Here’s Reid’s breakdown of the selection:

The Michigan State transfer has quickly become arguably Oregon’s best defensive player. With a quick first step, Harmon has been able to consistently penetrate the first level, picking up three sacks this season. His strong hands help him stack and shed blocks in the middle as a run defender, but he must do a better job of finishing plays. The Vikings’ defense has been excellent this season, but it probably still needs long-term depth at defensive tackle. Harmon’s explosion would work well in Brian Flores’ attacking unit.

It’s a little surprising to see Reid projecting the Viking to land help on the defensive side when guard has been such a glaring need for the team. However, that situation may improve with the return of Dalton Risner, and the Vikings could certainly use the depth at the position. Harrison Phillips isn’t going to play forever, and Minnesota would do well to think about the next man up despite his recent extension.

He’ll have some mighty big shoes to fill.

Aaron Schatz isn’t buying into the Sam Darnold effect

NFL history is filled with players such as Sam Darnold having breakout seasons and bounce-back performances.

NFL history is riddled with players such as Sam Darnold having breakout seasons and bounce-back performances. What usually doesn’t accompany those is being a part of a potentially Super Bowl-worthy team.

But that is what Sam Darnold is doing for the undefeated Vikings.

Aaron Schatz of FTN Fantasy is not as impressed as others. Schatz, the former editor in chief of Football Outsiders, isn’t buying into the hype. He compares the 2024 Vikings to the 2002 Buccaneers and 2015 Broncos — “teams powered by a defense that won Super Bowls with caretaker QBs such as Trent Dilfer and a final-season Peyton Manning.”

I ask Vikings fans: If you win a Super Bowl, does it matter what type of quarterback you have?

Darnold is playing winning football, and maybe he will win an MVP award, or maybe he won’t. The awards aren’t what the Vikings fans or players care about. If Darnold is the Trent Dilfer of this Vikings Super Bowl-worthy defense, that’s OK.