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SportsQuiet 36h · day 3

Brian Flores' revamped Vikings defense throttles Bears 9-3

Minnesota held Caleb Williams and Chicago to 4.2 yards per play despite offseason personnel losses on defense.

newest coverage 1d agosummary written 2d ago6 pieces11 likes & upvotes MastodonNewswires

What to know

  • Vikings won 9-3 despite their own offense converting just 3 of 13 third downs, relying almost entirely on defense.
  • Minnesota ranks 25th in the NFL in share of salary cap spent on defense and cut veterans at three starting spots in the offseason, making the shutdown notable.
  • Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is credited by multiple players for a collaborative approach that solicits input on calls during games.
  • Special teams also contributed, with a blocked field goal and a 62-yard punt helping preserve the win over Caleb Williams and the Bears.

“He's asking us what calls we really like, what we feel confident in. He's asking the front, 'Hey, if we're bringing a backer, what rushes are you guys confident in?' We're having that conversation on the sideline so we're all on the same page.”

Blake Cashman, Vikings linebacker · AP via Philadelphia Inquirer ↗ · Sep 20

Brian Flores Vikings defensive coordinatorIsaiah Rodgers Vikings cornerbackJalen Redmond Vikings defensive linemanKevin O'Connell Vikings head coachBlake Cashman Vikings linebackerCaleb WilliamsCaleb Williams Bears quarterback

Brian Flores' revamped Vikings defense throttles Bears 9-3
Yahoo Sports

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 2 pieces in one hour at Sep 21, 4 PM; 6 pieces over 3 days (4 articles · 2 posts) Sep 20, 7 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Mastodon 1Sep 20, 8 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 20, 9 PM — quietSep 20, 10 PM — quietSep 20, 11 PM — quietSep 21, 12 AM — quietSep 21, 1 AM — quietSep 21, 2 AM — quietSep 21, 3 AM — quietSep 21, 4 AM — quietSep 21, 5 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 7 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 9 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 11 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 1 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Newswires 2Sep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 21, 11 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 1 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 3 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quiet 12
Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 6:44 AM ET
  1. 2

    AP details how Flores' scheme and collaborative style built the defense

    An AP feature reports the Vikings entered the season with questions after losing veterans for cap savings at three starting spots, but Flores' scheme — heavy on extra rushers and run-stopping alignment — plus his practice of soliciting player input produced the shutdown performance; players including Isaiah Rodgers, Jalen Redmond and Blake Cashman credited the approach.

    “We just trust Brian Flores. We want to go out there and play for our coaches, understanding that the scheme is going to work.”
    — Isaiah Rodgers
    1. 2 outlets Vikings' defense is again well-connected and well-coached, at the direction of Brian Flores

      first by Philadelphia Inquirer, 2d ago · also Yahoo Sports

      1 more headline
    • nfl@channels.im

      Minnesota Vikings’ defense is again well-connected and well-coached, at the direction of Brian Flores https://www. rawchili.com/nfl/1007335/ # ChicagoBears # Football # KylerMurray # Minnesota # MinnesotaVikings # MinnesotaVikings # NationalFootballLeague # NFL # Sports # Vikings

      nfl@channels.imMastodon2d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
  2. 1

    The Athletic calls Flores' game plan a 'defensive masterpiece'

    Coverage frames the win around defensive coordinator Brian Flores, noting the unit held twice late, including stopping a Bears bid to steal the game.

    1. 1 outlet Brian Flores’ latest defensive masterpiece helps Vikings set early tone in NFC North

      first by Mastodon, 3d ago

  3. background

    Vikings defense beats Bears 9-3 in rain at Soldier Field — Minnesota won an ugly, defense-driven road game, holding Chicago to 4.2 yards per play with four sacks and two turnovers, including a last-second defensive stand.