Vikings defense turned high-pressure situation into ‘catalyst’ vs. Commanders

In postgame conversation about the Vikings’ shutout victory over the Commanders on Sunday, the flashy turnovers overshadowed what defensive coordinator Brian Flores said Tuesday was the “catalyst” for the strong defensive showing.

After allowing the Commanders to move 81 yards and convert two third downs on their opening drive, the Vikings defense locked down in the red zone and forced a turnover on downs. The Vikings went up 14-0 on their next drive.

“A lot of guys really did some nice things,” Flores said. “Those situations, down one, two-yard line, those kind of high-pressure situations we obviously drill in practice quite a bit, but it really comes down to execution.”

Opponents have scored on only 46% of their red-zone attempts against the Vikings, whose defense has allowed the fifth-fewest touchdowns (25) through 13 games despite their 5-8 record, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Below them are only the Seahawks (23), Broncos (22), Texans (22) and Rams (22).

Sunday’s red-zone stand started with what Flores called “a really good play” by linebacker Blake Cashman correctly reading Chris Rodriguez Jr.’s rush and stopping him for a 2-yard gain at the 2.

Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. held up in coverage on a trick play that sent an offensive lineman downfield as an eligible receiver. Defensive lineman Jonathan Allen pressured quarterback Jayden Daniels out toward the right sideline, and he failed to hit his receiver.

And safety Josh Metellus, playing through an injured shoulder, made the sealing play covering Deebo Samuel at the back of the end zone under the upright and helping force an incomplete pass with a little tug that prevented Samuel from securing the ball.

The Commanders made it into the red zone only one other time on their first drive of the second half.

They had a rush for no gain and an incomplete pass at the Vikings’ 19-yard line before outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel picked off Daniels on fourth and 3.

The Vikings played their starting offensive line for the longest stretch they have in a game this season in Sunday’s trouncing of the Commanders.

It was just the second time all five started a game together; the first was against the Packers in Week 12, but left tackle Christian Darrisaw and left guard Donovan Jackson made injury exits in the second half.

Both Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips pointed to the success of the run game as verification of the strength of the full line’s performance.

The Vikings had their second-best net rushing day of the season with 162 yards on 34 attempts. Lead backs Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason averaged 5.4 and 4.7 yards per carry, respectively.

Jones had a season-high 76 rushing yards, and Mason scored his sixth rushing touchdown.

“That was kind of what was envisioned from the start, and just a number of things have happened throughout the year, haven’t been able to gel together as [an offensive line] unit, but really proud of the way those guys went out there and played,” Phillips said.

Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said he’d just been told the news by secondary coach Daronte Jones before being asked about his 2015 Chargers teammate Philip Rivers signing to the Colts practice squad Tuesday.

Rivers is 44 and hasn’t played since 2020, when he ended his career in Indianapolis. The Colts lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to an Achilles tear Sunday and have a slim quarterback room.

Daniels clarified that former Oklahoma punter Luke Elzinga was brought in for a tryout last week not to challenge Ryan Wright, but to prepare punt returner Myles Price to return punts from a left-footed punter.

“Just wanted to make sure he can track it and catch it well just because of how the ball turns over,” Daniels said. “It’s much different from a lefty than it is a righty. Just preparation.”