Tag: Josh Metellus

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.

Vikings vs. Saints live updates during Week 10

Join us throuhghout the game as we bring you live updates throughout

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon.

Throughout the game, join us as we update you throughout the game with our live blog.

Vikings defense showing off versatility vs. Saints

The Minnesota Vikings defense continues to improve and evolve as the season goes on under defensive coordinator Brian Flores

Accord to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the Minnesota Vikings held the Saints to their season-low in points in the first half (3) despite blitzing at their lowest rate this season.

When NFL fans think of this Minnesota defense, more specifically defensive coordinator Brian Flores, they think of blitzing and getting to the quarterback.

Flores is showing that there is more to his defense than just blitzing the quarterback down after down.

With that, he is showing the maturation and effectiveness that is the 2023 Vikings defense.

During this four-game win streak, the Minnesota Vikings have been sixth in total EPA allowed, and it has felt that way.

Danielle Hunter leads the league in sacks, Byron Murphy has started to make more plays in the passing game and guys like Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus have stepped up and become important cogs.

This Minnesota defense continues to improve as they continue to play from week to week.

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Stock up, stock down in Vikings Week 8 win vs. Packers

There are plenty of stocks rising and falling in the Vikings 24-10 win against the Green Bay Packers

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers 24-10 to improve to 4-4 on the year. On the surface, this is exactly what the Vikings needed: a divisional win that puts Minnesota firmly in the playoff hunt.

But grim circumstances surrounding the conclusion of the contest make it tough to show much optimism for the rest of the 2023 season.

Even so, the game had plenty of stocks rise in a commanding win and a few that fell for varying circumstances.

Josh Metellus makes impressive INT, return for Minnesota Vikings

He’s really good! #GoBlue

It’s been an incredible upward trajectory for former Michigan football safety Josh Metellus.

Once a two-star recruit (at the time of his commitment), Metellus made it to Ann Arbor and came into his own, starting at viper in his freshman year in the Capital One Orange Bowl before becoming the starting safety for the next three seasons. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft and managed to not only make the team, starting on special teams but is now a starting safety and a team captain.

On Sunday, Metellus made an impressive interception, taking the ball away from a Green Bay receiver and followed it up with an equally impressive return.

Watch below:

Josh Metellus grabs key interception versus Packers

Josh Mettelus told Jayden Reed to gimme the ball

Minnesota Vikings defensive back Josh Metellus grabbed a key interception early in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers. Metellus was in coverage against Packers rookie wide receiver Jayden Reed deep downfield.

As Reed went up for the catch, Metellus was able to get his arm between Reed and the ball and rip it away. Metellus was able to return the interception for significant yardage, putting the Vikings offense in great position.

Kirk Cousins and crew were able to immediately capitalize, as Cousins hit rookie phenom Jordan Addison for the quick score. The touchdown puts Minnesota up 24-3 on the Packers, giving the Vikings some breathing room.

The score comes as the Packers try to replicate their second-half success. While Green Bay has struggled mightily in the first half this season, they’ve been able to pick up the pace in the second half. They’re going to need an extraordinary effort to come back in this one.

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Vikings safety fined for hit vs. Bears

Leading with your head on a hit will get you a fine from the NCAA

One thing that has been consistent this season is the National Football League has been fining players for using their helmets when hitting on the field.

According to The Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer, Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus $11,167 for unnecessary roughness for a hit on Bears quarterback Justin Fields.

Here is the hit, which looks pretty innocuous.

The hit doesn’t look like much. He hits Fields in the midsection, but how he hits him is the cause of the fine.

Metellus uses his helmet and head as a battering ram, which is something the NFL is blatantly trying to get players to stop doing. Harrison Smith was fined $21,855 for a hit in week three against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The NFL will continue to fine players for using their helmet as a battering ram in terms of player safety. This is the third fine on a Vikings player this season with Justin Jefferson also getting one for a touchdown celebration against the Carolina Panthers.

Vikings PFF grades on defense through 6 games

The Minnesota Vikings defense has some standouts and the Pro Football Focus grades showcase that

The Minnesota Vikings are a fascinating team.

Despite a 2-4 start, the Vikings have good underlying metrics and Pro Football Focus has the offensive line as one of the best units in the National Football League.

As we head into week seven, here are the PFF grades for each member of the Vikings defense.

ProBlue: Five best performances from Michigan alum in Week 6

Great week for former Wolverines! #GoBlue

This is one of the best seasons for NFL Michigan athletes in recent memory. Daxton Hill, D.J. Turner, Nico Collins, Josh Metellus, and many more are finally breaking out, Hutchinson looks like a game-wrecker — and the Lions are actually good!

Michigan will be a defense-heavy school for the near future. Nico Collins is the first (and only) offensive player to make the prestigious award. Next year’s draft might shake some things up, but the Wolverines will always be a dangerous team.

Take a look at my five best player performances from former Wolverines who excelled in an exciting Week 6 of the NFL.

Vikings PFF grades on defense vs. Bears

The Vikings defense played relatively well on Sunday and the grades show that.

The Minnesota Vikings arguably played their worst game of the season against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, but they found a way to win by a score of 19-13.

The defense played really well against the Bears. They sacked Justin Fields and Tyson Bagent five times with Danielle Hunter getting his seventh and eighth sacks of the season.

The defense also matched their takeaway total from the season, including scoring their second touchdown of the season on a scoop-and-score. Josh Metellus got his first sack of his career and even slowed down to allow Jordan Hicks to scoop up the football.

The PFF grades for the defense are in and they aren’t quite what you expect.