Brian Flores’ Defense Finding Its Form
Inheriting one of the league’s most porous defenses from 2022, Brian Flores was asked to do more with less.
The Vikings parted ways with five starters including key contributors like pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, cornerback Patrick Peterson and inside linebacker Eric Kendricks.
The goal of the offseason was to get younger on defense, develop that talent in hopes that would elevate the defense despite a clear downgrade in personnel.
That mission appears to have progressed seven weeks into the season with Flores’ defense finding its form as of late.
The Vikings have allowed an average of 291.3 yards of offense in the past four games. Turnovers have swung in Minnesota’s favor with six turnovers forced by the defense in the past two games.
That’s resulted in back-t0-back wins for the first time this season, including a 19-13 defensive struggle against the Chicago Bears that required a fumble return touchdown from Jordan Hicks to seal the game.
Those types of plays have the marks of a winning team, which Minnesota, at 3-4, is still proving it can be after a slow start to the season.
Monday’s win over San Francisco was a glimpse at what a complete game can look like from this team, where the defense was just as responsible for the results as the offense.