The Minnesota Vikings‘ defense will have its hands full when it faces Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on November 9 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has the challenging task of limiting the impact that Jackson will have on the game as the Vikings look to return to a winning record.
After holding the Detroit Lions to 24 points in Week 9, Minnesota’s defense now prepares for a Ravens team riding a two-game winning streak. Quarterback Lamar Jackson comes off a standout performance, throwing four touchdowns while completing 18 of 23 passes for 204 yards against the Miami Dolphins.
Ahead of the matchup, Flores spoke about Jackson and how the player has evolved from when he was coaching against him during his time as the Dolphins’ head coach.
“[Jackson has] improved and gotten better in all areas of his game year after year,” Flores told reporters on November 6. “He’s essentially a perennial MVP candidate. When people think about him, they often focus on his dynamic runs, scrambles, and off-schedule plays, but he’s also an excellent passer.
“Defensively, you’re dealing with everything. While there’s some history, that was years ago, and he’s clearly grown in all facets of his game — leadership, command of the offense, football IQ, deep balls, intermediate passes, short throws, scrambles — you name it. His understanding of protections is strong; he knows when to get the ball out, when to take chances, and how to protect himself.”
Brian Flores Sends Warning to Vikings Defense
Jackson will be able to hurt the Vikings’ defense with his arm and legs. Nonetheless, Flores believes that keeping him one-dimensional with only the passing game will be key for his unit to limit the impact the Ravens star can have and for Minnesota to secure the win.
“He also has a lot of talented players around him who understand that if things aren’t perfect, he can create space or an off-schedule play,” Flores added. “They do a great job of finding openings and getting open.
“We have to be prepared for when he gets out of the pocket, which is inevitable against a player like him. We’ll do everything we can to keep him in the pocket, but he will escape at times. Our job is to stay in coverage, stick to receivers, and track him down as best we can.”
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Talks Facing Lamar Jackson
Flores isn’t the only one having concerns about the problems that Jackson will cause the Vikings. Speaking to the media on November 5, head coach Kevin O’Connell discussed the challenges that come with facing the Baltimore standout.
“Lamar, he’s just such a weapon now on schedule when he’s clean in the pocket, he’s throwing in rhythm,” O’Connell said. “… To me, it’s about disruption and getting him off the spot. The player that gets him off the spot is more than likely not going to always make the play.
“Who’s the next guy there? Was there discipline in making sure you corral and keep him in the area you have to because he can change a game? Even if you’ve done it for 70 plays and you’re in the fourth quarter, he can do it in a got-to-have-it moment and win the football game. It’s going to be a challenge. That’s what makes the Ravens so difficult.”
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