The Minnesota Vikings demolished the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 — but lost Kyler Murray to a concussion on the 11th play. Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano break down the film, the blitz, and what’s next.
Tyler Forness opened with a bold comparison: “If you remember Enron in 2001, Vikings just did the reverse, where they started out in the dumps and they were riding high on the stock market.” After Murray’s concussion — he was fencing on the field, a telltale sign — Carson Wentz entered and steadied
the offense. “Wentz wasn’t the reason for the turnaround,” Forness clarified. “But he was the reason why the ship didn’t sink.” The defense, meanwhile, was suffocating. Brian Flores blitzed Jordan Love relentlessly — and it worked. “Every single one of Jordan Love’s passing yards came against the blitz,” Forness noted. “He was 0 for 5 with a clean pocket.” Dave Stefano compared Flores’ approach to boxing: “B-Flo is almost being a prize fighter… body blows will wear you down quicker… and then comes the knockout punch.”
Key Points:
- Kyler Murray’s concussion: Murray showed fencing signs and entered the protocol. He was symptom-free and in meetings Monday, but Forness cautioned: “Concussions are weird, and they hit everybody differently.” Carson Wentz is the likely starter Sunday at Chicago.
- Carson Wentz’s relief effort: Wentz delivered what Forness called “one of the best throws I’ll probably see all year” — a two-point missile to Justin Jefferson. His arm talent kept the Vikings afloat when everything could have capsized.
- Dallas Turner’s breakout: Seven of 10 pressures were quick (under 2.5 seconds), with a 27.2% pressure rate per PFF. “Lo and behold, it only took him one game,” Forness said, answering critics who said Turner only produced cleanup pressures.
- Flores’ blitz-heavy dominance: Flores sent five-plus rushers almost exclusively. Jordan Love had no answers — 0 for 5 when not blitzed — and the pressure compounded as the game wore on.
- Defensive line depth paying off: Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins — Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s 2024 cutdown-day bet — delivered key plays at roughly $2.4 million combined. “Kwesi deserves his flowers for that move,” Forness said.
- Big Citrus stops Love: Caleb Banks (Big Citrus) stuffed Jordan Love on a pivotal 4th down — with no tush push. “You run at the rookie,” Banks said. Forness added: “The dumb part was not having anybody to help push him.”
- Will Fries struggles: The guard whiffed on multiple blocks, including the blown assignment that triggered Murray’s interception. “He’s got a lot to prove,” Forness warned, noting a near-$20 million cap hit.
- Theo Jackson’s bad angles: Jackson took poor pursuit angles repeatedly. “Theo Jackson shouldn’t be playing. He shouldn’t be on the field.”
- J.J. McCarthy’s status: No beat reporter asked about McCarthy at the presser, which Forness said “tells us everything we need to know about where J.J. McCarthy is currently in this organization.”
- Looking ahead: The Vikings travel to Soldier Field to face Caleb Williams and the Bears.
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The Real Forno Show is your go-to Minnesota Vikings podcast for film breakdown, honest analysis, and unfiltered takes. Tyler Forness watches the tape so you don’t have to, and Dave Stefano brings the fan’s perspective. From Vikings 1st & SKOL on the Bleav Network — subscribe, ring the bell, and never miss an episode.
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What do you think?
Will Flores’ blitz-heavy approach hold up against Caleb Williams at Soldier Field, or will the Bears’ offense expose the cracks? Drop your thoughts below — and tune in Thursday for the full preview.
