The Vikings will try to tighten up against the rush on Sunday at Ford Field with a tall task against a familiar foe in the Detroit Lions.
A season ago, Minnesota’s defense was the talk of the NFL for its high-pressure rates and exotic blitz packages. The Vikings effectively rushed the passer while also halting the run game.
It has been a different story in 2025, and the last two contests have epitomized those struggles. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores said the defense is coming off disappointing performances against the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers.
“A challenging couple of games at that, presenting some adversity for us as a defense,” Flores said.
The Eagles and Chargers averaged 390 yards of total offense on Flores’ defense.
Teams around the NFL have taken notice of the Vikings’ deficiencies in stopping the ground game. Minnesota faces the highest percentage of run plays in the NFL (51.08%), a category they were on the opposite end of the spectrum a year ago.
Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel said stopping the run works hand-in-hand with the defense’s success in rushing the passer.
“When teams are able to run the ball, it’s kind of tough to play defense because then they have play action and they have deep shots like we saw in Philly,” Van Ginkel said. “If we can stop the run, I think we can put ourselves in a great position. That’s what we did successfully last year, and it’s something that we need to get back to.”
Van Ginkel, a key piece of the Vikings front, has missed the last four weeks with a neck injury. He has practiced in full for the past two days and is nearing a return to the field.
The NFL is ever-evolving, and new formations and packages rise to the forefront each campaign. Flores said “jumbo personnel” is “in vogue,” and the heavier formation is one the Vikings need to improve against.
“We’ve got to do a better job of defending it,” Flores said. “I say that plainly. I mean, it’s something that we’re obviously spending some time on. Detroit has it, but everybody’s got it in some form or fashion.”
Utilizing heavier sets against the Vikings in the run game is something the defensive line is aware of as an area opponents look to exploit.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s been working,” defensive tackle Javon Hargrave said. “So, we kind of know it’s something everybody gonna try right now.”
With the more advantageous boxes presented with these formations, it has not solely been the premier tailbacks who have had success on the ground against Minnesota. Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell tallied 99 rush yards and two touchdowns in Dublin. Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins went for 110 yards. Chargers third-string running back Kimani Vidal rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown last week.
On Sunday, Minnesota faces off against an explosive Detroit offense led by the best backfield duo in the NFL in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
“They’re lethal,” Van Ginkel said. “Their skill positions are incredible. Jared Goff gets them the ball in space, and they’re O-Line is very good.”
As good a test as any with the Vikings defense looking to get back on track.
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