Brian Flores' unreal blitz rate nearly blew up in his face
· Yahoo Sports
Brian Flores operated like a mad scientist on Sunday, blitzing Packers quarterback Jordan Love on 78.3 percent of his dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats.
It’s the fourth-highest blitz rate by a defense in a game since at least 2018. It looks impressive after the Vikings rallied for a 39-22 win, but Flores’ plan wasn’t looking so hot when Love was torching the blitz in the first half.
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The blitz never got home in the first half, and Love made Minnesota’s isolated defenders pay with 199 passing yards. Just four of his nine first-half completions accounted for 165 yards, as he hit Christian Watson for gains of 81 and 31, and Tucker Kraft for 31- and 22-yard chunks.
Next Gen Stats tracked it all, noting that the Vikings allowed 189 yards and two touchdowns when blitzing in the first half. In the second half, especially after Minnesota took the lead, they kept blitzing and it worked to the tune of four sacks and an interception.
Blake Cashman generated seven quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds) against the Packers, the most by an off-ball linebacker in a game since at least 2018.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 14, 2026
Cashman averaged 1.88 seconds to pressure across his eight pressures.#GBvsMIN | #Skolpic.twitter.com/30wHDYx5M6
Pro Football Focus’ data is even more shocking, claiming Love was blitzed on 87 percent of his dropbacks. PFF says Love was 21-of-37 for 387 yards when blitzed, and 0-of-5 when he wasn’t blitzed.
PFF had Love under pressure on 25 of 46 dropbacks. Of those 25 plays, he completed just 7-of-21 attempts for 159 yards and an interception. When Green Bay’s offensive line kept Love clean, Love was 14-of-21 for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Clearly, they kept him clean much more often in the first half.
Another interesting nugget comes from ESPN Research via Kevin Seifert, who reported that Minnesota’s blitz rate dropped to from 83 percent in the first half to 63 percent in the second half. He also reports, citing ESPN Research, that Love was 3-for-12 for 95 yards when the Vikings sent four or fewer rushers.
So, was Minnesota’s success in the second half a product of making halftime adjustments, or did it have more to do with taking a lead and being able to pin their ears back and relentlessly rush Love without the threat of Green Bay running the ball?
It’s safe to say that both are true.
Three of the Vikings’ four sacks came after they took the lead in the final 6:37 of the fourth quarter. The interception also came after they claimed the lead.
Flores will have to find the balance again in Week 2 against Caleb Williams, who led the Bears to a 59-37 win in Carolina. According to PFF, Williams was blitzed on 21 of 38 dropbacks. He completed 9-of-15 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. That’s pretty good, but not as efficient as he was when he wasn’t blitzed: 12-of-14 for 121 yards and a touchdown.
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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Sep 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Vikings section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.