” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/bullar.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=664,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/bullar.jpg”> When the Minnesota Vikings host the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, the defense will need to lock back in. They once held the league lead in stopping opposing running games, but then a pair of birds came to town.<\/p>\n After allowing back-to-back 100-plus yard games<\/a> to the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings no longer have the best rush defense in the NFL. Their 87.2 yards allowed per game trail the Baltimore Ravens\u2019 82.7 yards per game allowed. They haven\u2019t fallen off entirely, but prior to the Cardinals contest, their average fell below 80 yards per game.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/presserkocbflo.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=652,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/presserkocbflo.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/presserkocbflo.jpg” alt > It was somewhat dismissable to discount the Cardinals\u2019 outcome<\/a>. Like Caleb Williams of the Bears the week before, the quarterback scrambled plenty. Kyler Murray put up 48 yards to help put his team over the top. That was not the case on Sunday, and Kirk Cousins has never been a threat to go anywhere.<\/p>\n Former first-round pick Bijan Robinson piled up 92 yards on 22 carries. Given the workload, that\u2019s a relatively respectable mark. Tyler Allgeier is where things got sticky. The Falcons\u2019 change of pace back put up 63 yards on just nine carries. He ripped off a 25-yard run and averaged seven yards per touch.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/bijankirk.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=659,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/bijankirk.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/bijankirk.jpg” alt> If the Vikings are going to right the ship, then facing Chicago isn\u2019t a bad place to be. When the two teams met at Soldier Field, the Bears managed just 78 yards on the ground. Thirty-three of those, and a team-lead, came from Williams. D\u2019Andre Swift managed just 30 yards on 13 carries.<\/p>\n Of course, it hasn\u2019t helped that Ivan Pace Jr. is inactive. He won\u2019t be back on Monday, either. Brian Flores must have Blake Cashman and his linebackers locked in for the running game. It\u2019s one thing to put pressure on the quarterback, but the defense can\u2019t afford to get beat when breaking contain.<\/p>\n ” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pacelar.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=628,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pacelar.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/pacelar.jpg” alt> The defense has continued to be a beacon of light for Minnesota. Part of that has been because they have forced opposing offenses to be one-dimensional. Williams will again look to air it out as Cousins did. It\u2019s much easier to jump routes and pick off passes if there\u2019s a level of trust to stop the run.<\/p>\n Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He\u2019s active on <\/em>Twitter<\/em><\/a> and writes daily for <\/em>Minnesota Sports Fan<\/em><\/a>. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nVikings Must Rein in the Running Game<\/h4>\n
Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Kevin O\u2019Connell introduced new Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores from the TCO Performance Center on February 15th, 2023. Flores coached for the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Vikings in 2023.<\/p>\n
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) reacts against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Football](\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=428,height=241,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/USATSI_24942788.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n