Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores built a very hyper-specific game plan to try and stop Justin Herbert.
Instead of dropping eight into coverage (like Flores did against Jalen Hurts), Flores decided to blitz Herbert.
A lot.
Flores wound up blitzing Hebert on 81.6% of his dropbacks. The figure is the highest since 2013 when Colin Kaepernick was blitzed on 87.5% of his dropbacks.
Despite Flores’ aggressive nature, Herbert wasn’t phased.
According to Pro Football Focus, Herbert completed 34 of his 40 attempts while blitzed for 317 yards and three touchdowns. His average depth of target on these throws was just 6.7 yards, signaling a specific approach to combating the pressure from offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
The Vikings’ inability to create pressure when sending extra rushers is the unfortunate reality of the Vikings’ personnel.
When asked by the media if the Vikings have players who can win in one-on-one situations, Flores mentioned three players: Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, and Ivan Pace, Jr.
Here’s the problem: Marcus Davenport is injured, and Ivan Pace is an off-ball linebacker.
The Vikings don’t have enough players who consistently win in pass-rush situations. As a result, cornerbacks are stressed to hold blocks even longer, and offenses can drive down the field without concern.
On the Chargers’ second drive, Justin Herbert and company drove 79 yards down the field on 12 plays and took close to six minutes off the clock. The Vikings tried everything to challenge Herbert, including sending multiple players and trying various stunts to get home.
However, the Vikings had no answer. Herbert dinked his way down the field, and all the Vikings could do was watch.
Here is a look at why some of the Vikings’ playcalls on that drive failed and if the problem(s) can be fixed.