The Steelers travel to what is supposed to be a pseudo-home game at Croke Park this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings. Coming off an ugly win over the New England Patriots, the Steelers still have
plenty to figure out on both sides of the ball. However, the Vikings come in with their fair share of offensive questions, with Carson Wentz getting his second consecutive start at quarterback for the purple and gold. The Vikings have been relying on their defense this season more than ever. Brian Flores has built one of the most unique defensive schemes in recent NFL history in Minnesota, and Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is well aware of what Flores’s defense is capable of. This week’s matchup will come down to a true battle of the wits between two of the most gifted football minds in today’s game.
Aaron Rodgers Pre-snap dissection vs. Brian Flores’ defensive disguises
After being unexpectedly fired by the Miami Dolphins after the 2021 season, Brian Flores landed in Pittsburgh, where he served as the senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach. After his one-year stint with the Steelers, Flores was offered the defensive coordinator position in Minnesota and has not looked back since. Since taking over in Minnesota, Flores has shifted the identity of the Vikings team.
What makes Brian Flores so unique? Take a look at that video again from ESPN’s Benjamin Solak. Having seven or 8 players on the line of scrimmage is not uncommon for this Vikings defense. But it’s the constant movement pre-snap that causes so many issues for the opposing team. In just seconds, it can go from a cover 0 to a two-high shell coverage. The movement forces the quarterback to think on the fly. When the quarterback turns his back to the defense after taking the snap, he likely sees a completely different coverage than what he thought he was going to see. In the video above, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams ends up with a completion, but certainly had a lot to think about both pre- and post-snap. The disguises are consistent with this defense, and the Minnesota defense is oozing with the talent to execute the defense Flores has created.
Defensive back Isaiah Rodgers had a historic performance this past weekend. He was given the only perfect PFF grade in history for his historic two-touchdown performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Can Rodgers crack the code of the daunting Vikings defense?
Rodgers will have to think on the fly plenty on Sunday, but it should help that Rodgers is one of the best when it comes to dissecting defensive coverages that the game of football has ever seen. The Steelers’ offense has struggled to find a running game as they rank 31st in the league in rushing yards. Rodgers and the Steelers offense have also not been taking many shots down the field. Rodgers’ ADOT is just 5.46 yards, ranking him dead last among all qualified starters. While it’s hard to blame Rodgers for the lack of deep passes, given the Steelers’ offense being built on quick passes and creating touches for pass catchers like DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith to excel after the catch, the Steelers will certainly need to stretch the field more to be able to keep Flores honest.
Rodgers praised Flores and what he has done with the Minnesota defense to the media earlier this week.
“I feel like he probably should, at some point, get another coaching job based on the way that he’s coached defense the last couple of years. The schemes they run and the way they’re coached, there’s a lot of really good chemistry and continuity on that side that doesn’t just come from players. There’s a schematic part of that. It’s really impressive.”
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said he interviewed Flores for the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive coordinator position during his stint as head coach. Smith also sees similarities between Flores’ defensive movement and some of the movements the Steelers try to incorporate into their offense.
It’s clear that Flores has sort of a mythical reputation among Rodgers and Smith. The way these two choose to attack a defense that can truly throw anything at you on any given snap will be key to going back to the United States with a victory.
Who do you trust more on Sunday, Brian Flores and the Vikings defense, or Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments below!
