THE VIRGINIANS’ RISING STAR WAS SENT FOR SUSPENSION. We haven’t done anything like that.’
The Minnesota Vikings feature one of the most formidable defenses in the league, particularly against the run, where they rank seventh in yards allowed. They are ranked 17th against the pass.
Some of it is due to their aggressive defensive strategy under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The defense is still seventh in scoring.
They hadn’t allowed a passing touchdown or a rushing touchdown in two games before giving up two passing scores and one rushing score in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15.
The game had an impact on breakthrough safety Josh Metellus, who is demanding more from his defensive teammates.
“Past however many games, defense had a chance to execute with the game on the line, and we haven’t done that,” Metellus stated via the team on December 19. “So the next three weeks will be all about executing when the team most needs us.” That’s when you’re going to win.”
They sacked Bengals quarterback Jake Browning four times. But they could only intercept one of his passes, allowing the former Viking to complete 69% of his passes for 324 yards and a pair of scores.
Browning was 13-for-19 for 184 yards and those two touchdowns in the fourth quarter in Week 15.
It’s a trend that goes back even further, though.
Minnesota had a lead going into the fourth quarter against the Bengals in Week 15. But they also had a chance to keep the Chicago Bears’ eventual game-winning field goal off the board in Week 12. Chicago won 12-3. It was a similar story versus the Denver Broncos in Week 11.
“I just have to be better at executing when the game is on the line.” “This is our best ball,” Metellus added. “We haven’t allowed a touchdown in how many [games]?” But it was crucial in the fourth quarter on Saturday. So I’d say for us, it’s about executing and playing our best game when the team needs us.”
Metellus is in his fourth NFL season and was elected as one of eight team captains by his teammates. His words undoubtedly have weight in the locker room.
But this is largely due to his importance to the unit.
“[An] unusual element of the scheme is how the Vikings deploy their personnel. … Unlike most other teams, the fifth defensive back is usually a safety,” wrote Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus on December 14.
“Josh Metellus, Camryn Bynum and Harrison Smith have each played 791 snaps or more this season, whereas the team’s third cornerback has only 338. Each of those safeties is capable of lining up anywhere they need them to — deep off the line, in the box or covering the slot — and will move both snap to snap and within the play as the coverage rotates.”
Metellus has now played 861 snaps, the fourth-most on the team behind Bynum (918), Smith (913), and Byron Murphy (906), per Pro Football Fthe top 40 in theocus.
Each of Bynum, Murphy, and Smith are in the top 40 in the NFL in snaps this season.
Injuries have played a part in that. But so has the effectiveness of players like Metellus. A Pro Bowl candidate, Metellus has logged just 44 of his 861 defensive snaps at his traditional free safety spot. 332 of his snaps have come at slot cornerback.
And the Vikings are set to get even deeper, if not better. They are getting another key piece of the defense back from injury.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that starting middle linebacker and one of Mettellus’ fellow captains Jordan Hicks is returning to practice. The Vikings opened his 21-day window for activation from injured reserve. Hicks suffered a leg injury that threatened his season and the limb itself.
Metellus is certainly happy to have Hicks on track to return this season.
“It brings a lot. He’s a captain for a reason,” Metellus said. “There’s a reason he leads our defense. And it just brings a calming presence out there that you know you just have a guy out there that’s a game-changer, who’s going to make a play. Puts us in the right calls, puts us in the right positions. He means a lot to us.”
Josh Buckhalter writes for Heavy.com and focuses on the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Vikings. Since 2016, he has covered the NBA and NFL, with bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports, and Clocker Sports. He’s from Villa Park, Illinois. Josh can be found on Twitter and Instagram as @JoshGBuck. More information on Josh Buckhalter
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