The Vikings’ defense is currently a bigger challenge than their offense.
John Schmeelk: Fact – It has everything to do with what Brian Flores does with the defense, and his inventive use of multiple fronts, blitzes, simulated pressures, dummy blitzes and coverage disguise in the secondary. Their scheme will be a huge challenge and give everyone an additional opportunity to learn something about Jaxson Dart. Despite some star names on offense, the Vikings rank in the bottom quartile of the league in most efficiency metrics. Defensively they are solidly in the top ten. The Giants offense vs. the Vikings defense is my favorite unit matchup left remaining this season.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – I may have had a different answer a few weeks ago, but the arrow is pointing up for Minnesota’s offense. Turnovers are down and points are up (funny how that works). Meanwhile, Justin Jefferson is in the middle of his worst three-game span in terms of receiving yards. That could change in the blink of an eye.
Matt Citak: Fact – The Vikings are coming off back-to-back games with 30+ points, so maybe their offense, led by J.J. McCarthy, has finally turned the corner. But I have to lean on what we’ve seen for most of the season, not just the last two weeks, which is the fact that the Vikings defense has been much better than the offense. Brian Flores has coached the Minnesota defense to one of the best in the NFL against the pass, while their run defense from an efficiency perspective has also been solid. Outside of the last two games, their offense has struggled this season, including 23 total points across their three games prior to this two-game stretch.
OLB Abdul Carter will have a sack for the third consecutive game.
John Schmeelk: Fact – With Christian Darrisaw ruled out, it will be backup Justin Skule that will line up at left tackle. I like that matchup for Carter. J.J. McCarthy, though better the last two weeks, has been susceptible to sacks this year. The Vikings have the third-highest sack rate in the NFL this season, so Carter should have the opportunity to take down another quarterback.
Dan Salomone: Fiction – It’s hard to say “fact” to three in a row for any player. That’s the main reason I’m going with “fiction” here. The word around the building all week has been “stacking” another good performance. The third overall pick has a chance to show it again on Sunday and set up his second season on a positive note.
Matt Citak: Fact – I was originally going the other way on this one due to Minnesota’s talented tackle duo in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill. But with the way Carter has been playing lately, I’m giving the rookie the benefit of the doubt. Since his first quarter benching against the Patriots in Week 13, Carter has two sacks, two forced fumbles, three tackles for loss and 10 total pressures across seven quarters. McCarthy has been sacked an average of three times per game across his eight starts, which should give Carter a good chance to make it three straight games with one.