Vikings defense scouting report: Can Packers O-line hold up vs. Flores?

Brian Flores’ Minnesota Vikings defense gave the Green Bay Packers fits in the two matchups last season, with Jordan Love and the offense digging themselves an early hole they could not get out of.

While many of the characteristics and strengths of the Minnesota defense remain in 2025, they have not been quite as dominant.

Through 11 weeks, the Vikings rank 17th in points per game allowed, eighth in yards per play, 11th in percentage of drives ending in a score and eighth in expected points added (EPA) per game.

They have been well above average down to down once again, but the big difference between last season and this, much like the Packers defense, is turnovers. After ranking second in turnover rate a year ago, the Vikings are down to 26th in 2025.

The book on Minnesota is that it is very difficult to consistently find joy through the air against them, but running the ball is more of an avenue for success.

That is mostly due to the creative and confusing looks Flores throws at offenses when they drop back to pass. The Vikings rank first in the NFL in blitz rate and also pressure rate on the season, showing their threat to throw passing plays out of whack with regularity.

While they only rank 18th in completion percentage allowed this year, and 24th in adjusted net yards per pass attempt, they do still rank seventh in passing yards allowed per game and eighth in EPA against the pass. Dropping back over and over again is a risky strategy against this unit.

On the ground, they rank 11th in yards per carry allowed, which is more than respectable, but only 18th in rushing EPA. Teams are averaging the second most rush attempts per game versus the Vikings this year, clearly recognizing the need to keep Flores honest.

Despite being less effective overall, Minnesota has still come up clutch in key situations, ranking ninth in third down conversion rate allowed and fourth in red zone conversion rate. Drive to drive, they are limiting opponents fairly well, ranking sixth in yards per drive allowed and eighth in points per drive.

Unfortunately for them, the Vikings offense has not always held up their end of the bargain, and keeps giving opponents more bites at the apple, with Minnesota’s defense eventually succumbing.

In terms of personnel, most of the talent at Flores’ disposal is in the front seven, headlined by pass rusher Jonathan Greenard, who has 173 pressures and 26.5 sacks since the start of 2023.

There are plenty of names on the interior that Packers fans will recognize, such as Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, but it has actually been former undrafted free agent Jalen Redmond who has arguably been the most impactful.

Redmond is in the top 20 among interior defenders in pressures on the year, and ranks 11th in PFFs pass rush productivity metric.

At linebacker, Andrew Van Ginkel has been a valuable, moveable piece for Flores since arriving in Minnesota in 2024, while Blake Cashman and former Packer Eric Wilson have been stout against the run.

Minnesota’s secondary is more gettable, but their lack of difference makers is made up for at times by Flores’ scheme.

As far as the Packers’ recipe for success on Sunday, they may ultimately go as far as the offensive line will take them, which is not an especially comforting thought given how up and down their play has been throughout the year.

With Josh Jacobs possibly out or not quite himself as he works through a knee injury, and an O-line which has struggled to move people in the run game, will they be able to run the ball well enough to stay on track?

When they decide to, or have to drop back and pass, how effectively can Green Bay’s big guys handle all the curveballs Flores will throw at them? This is only Sean Rhyan’s second game as the starting center, which adds another element of uncertainty.

Finally, can Love make good decisions under pressure? He has had some incredible moments in that regard this season, but there have also been some lowlights. Taking care of the football and making plays in less than ideal circumstances will be paramount this week.

Green Bay must start faster on offense than they did in the two games against Minnesota last year, which is not something they have managed often this season, ranking 28th in first-quarter points. If Green Bay becomes predictable on offense, it will likely not end well for them.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Vikings defense scouting report: Can Packers O-line hold up vs. Flores?