Tag: Defensive Keys

Vikings vs. Packers: 4 defensive keys for week 17

It’s do or die time for the Vikings. Minnesota’s defense has to follow these four keys if they want to win on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

This is their last chance.

The Minnesota Vikings get one more chance to salvage their playoff chances as they face the Green Bay Packers in U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday Night Football at 7:20 p.m. CST. 

Minnesota has a chance to atone for dropping the past two with a good performance against a surging Green Bay team. 

After starting 3-6 this season, the Packers have found a way back into the playoff conversation, and it’s been behind the play of their offense. 

Since their meeting in week eight, Green Bay’s offense has been fourth in EPA/play, sixth in success rate, third in EPA/dropback and tenth in EPA/rush. Jordan Love has come into his own as a passer. He’s sixth in Adjusted net yards per pass attempt, second in passing yards (2095) and third in passing touchdowns (16) in that span.

On the other hand, Minnesota has been in a bit of a slump after their improbable 3-0 win against the Raiders at the beginning of the month. In the last two weeks, they have allowed 57 points, more than the four games before them combined. They’ve allowed the fourth-most EPA/play and are third-worst in success rate.

This defense must follow these four keys to success to get back on track and keep their playoff hopes alive.

4 Vikings defensive keys in Week 14 vs. Raiders

The Vikings have a chance to make a statement on defense against the Raiders

After a week of well-needed rest, the Minnesota Vikings go on the road to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders at 3:05 p.m. CST.

Minnesota has had a lot of changes throughout the year, new quarterbacks,  pass catchers have had to step up, but one change that can be felt from game to game is the vast improvement of this Vikings’ defense.

At this very moment, Minnesota is eighth in EPA allowed per play and ninth in defensive success rate. They’re top-ten in defensive passing DVOA (10th), defensive rushing DVOA (6th) and total defensive DVOA (8th).

Compare that to last season’s 27th-ranked defensive passing DVOA, 18th-ranked defensive rushing DVOA and 24th-ranked total defensive DVOA.

This defense has been the engine on this team’s path to the playoffs and will have to continue to be as they look to crash the dance this season.

The Raiders have been playing better as an offensive unit but there are still areas that defensive coordinator Brian Flores can exploit. To get this team back on track, the defense must follow these four keys to victory against a Raiders team looking to play spoiler.

4 defensive keys for Vikings vs. Broncos

The Vikings defense has been a much-improved unit this season. To stop a surging Broncos offense, they need to follow these keys.

The Minnesota Vikings go on the road to Mile High Stadium to face the Denver Broncos in primetime on Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CST.

These are two of the hottest teams in the National Football League with the Vikings on a five-game winning streak and the Broncos on a three-game winning streak.They face off in an important game with both being potential wild-card teams.

Denver is coming off of a monumental win against the Buffalo Bills that has them back in playoff talks, as they are only a game out of the seventh seed.

Minnesota controls their destiny as they have a 1.5-game lead on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC’s third and final wild-card spot.

Denver’s success has come from a resurgence from the offense that has them 10th in EPA/dropback and 11th in EPA/rush since their winning streak started in week seven.

It will be a difficult task for Brian Flores and this Vikings team to get them off track. But to do it, they will need to follow these four keys.

UNC football defensive keys to the game vs Clemson

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against the Clemson Tigers.

The North Carolina Tar Heels will hit the road this weekend for their toughest game yet, as they travel to South Carolina for an ACC matchup against Clemson.

This game will be the first time this season that UNC enters as underdogs, and it is pretty clear to see why when looking at the team’s recent play. Despite UNC ranked between the two in the Associated Press, their losses are a concern.

Losing to UVA and Georgia Tech, two teams they were heavily favored against. Weeks later squeezed by a Duke team starting their backup QB. Meanwhile, Clemson is riding a two-game win streak with a significant win over Notre Dame and blowing out the Yellow Jackets the way many expected UNC would have.

There are a few things the Tar Heels will need to do on the offensive end, but to ensure victory, the defense will need to do these three key things.

4 defensive keys for Vikings vs. Saints

Minnesota’s defense has been on a tear during this win streak. To keep the momentum going, these keys will be crucial to getting a win

After an emotional win against the Atlanta Falcons, the Minnesota Vikings will stay in the NFC South as they face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

New Orleans is coming off of escaping the Chicago Bears behind a great showing from their defense. But their offense was able to do just enough to squeak by with the 24-17 victory.

This offense for New Orleans has had their bad days, but they are also capable to go off for 500+ yards and almost 40 points like they did against Indianapolis.

During this four-game win streak, Minnesota is sixth in the NFL in EPA/play allowed. Brian Flores has this defense playing at a high level, and will need for it to continue if they want to have a shot at the postseason.

Before talking playoffs, there is the task at hand of beating the Saints on Sunday. To do that, they will need to follow these four keys to success on the defensive side of the ball.

UNC football defensive keys to the game vs Duke

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against the Duke Blue Devils.

The highly anticipated game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils is set to take place this weekend with more than the victory bell up for grabs.

Both programs were having their best season in years, with this matchup potentially being between two undefeated teams before they had their meltdowns. UNC stunningly dropped two games while their name flirted with the college football playoff race. Meanwhile, Duke lost momentum after the Notre Dame loss, to get blown out by Louisville and barely squeezed by Wake Forest.

Duke only sits one game behind UNC in the rankings, making this matchup critical. If the Tar Heels want to punch their ACC championship ticket, they need to finish the season strong with a win against Duke.

To leave Saturday with the victory bell and record intact, there are a few things UNC will need to accomplish. Here’s a look at the defensive keys for Saturday’s game against Duke.

4 defensive keys for Vikings vs. Falcons

Taylor Heinicke takes the reigns in Atlanta. The Vikings can use these four keys on defense to spoil his debut.

The Minnesota Vikings take on the Atlanta Falcons in Mercedez-Benz Stadium at 12 p.m. CST on Sunday.

The Falcons just solidified that the Desmond Ridder era is over (for now) and have given the reigns over to former Viking, Taylor Heinicke.

Heinicke signed as an undrafted free agent for Minnesota after the 2015 NFL draft and backed up Teddy Bridgewater and former NFL Europe passing leader Shaun Hill. he never saw the field and was released prior to the start of the 2017 season.

Now, he comes back and is looking to prove that he can keep Atlanta’s playoff hopes alive.

Minnesota has their own playoff hopes that they are worried about, and the road to that playoff starts with stopping Heinicke and this Atlanta offense.

If they want to do that, they will need to follow these four keys to success.

UNC football defensive keys to the game vs Campbell

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against Campbell University.

The North Carolina football program is looking to end its two-game losing streak with a win against Campbell University this weekend.

It’s been a rough few weeks for UNC after dropping back-to-back games against Virginia and Georgia Tech. Both games they were heavily favored in, had nightmare endings, resulting in a drop in the Associated Press Poll.

Once again, UNC is favored to win, and despite the lopsided rosters between the two, UNC will need to do a few things to secure a win. On the offensive side, UNC should dominate with Campbell, who just allowed Richmond to score 44 points.

The only way the Tar Heels can find themselves losing is if the defense fails to make stops. The Camels have shown the ability to score, and if UNC plays it safe, then that could be the case on Saturday.

We know the offensive keys for Saturday’s matchup, lets take a look at the defensive keys.

4 defensive keys for Vikings vs. Packers

The Vikings need to follow these keys to ruin Jordan Love’s first game against Minnesota

After a potentially season-defining win against San Francisco on Monday, the Minnesota Vikings have to regroup on a short week and get ready for a divisional battle with rival Green Bay Packers.

The significance of this game for Minnesota goes past trying to stack good performances for this team. This will be the first game since 2017 (oh, Brett Hundley) that the Vikings won’t see Aaron Rodgers on the other sideline.

To replace him, the Packers have a first-year starter and fourth-year player in Jordan Love.

After two impressive performances back-to-back to start the season, Love and this Green Bay offense have sputtered. They have averaged 17 points over their last four games, including a lackluster 17 against a struggling Broncos defense last week.

Brian Flores and this Vikings defense has started to look like a good, cohesive unit and can make another statement Sunday. We are going to outline four keys for this defense so they can make that statement.

UNC football defensive keys to the game vs Georgia Tech

Taking a look at the defensive keys to the game for the UNC football program against Georgia Tech.

The North Carolina Tar Heels will be looking to bounce back this weekend against Georgia Tech and will need another solid defensive performance to do so.

After a stunning loss to the Virginia Cavaliers that derailed their playoff hopes, UNC will need a dominating performance to get back on track. A lot went wrong this weekend against UVA in time of possession, with the Cavalier’s offense having the ball for 37:06 minutes vs the Tar Heels for 22:54 minutes of possession.

Much like Virginia, the Yellow Jackets should be a concern for UNC as they will be on the road against a team whose 3-4 record downplays their talent. If UNC wants to avoid back-to-back losses regaining their momentum, they will need to do a few things on the defensive side.

Here are the defensive keys to success for the Tar Heels to jump back on track.