Identifying three key problems with the Vikings’ defense after a defeat

Through five weeks, the Vikings’ defense is off to an incredible start, creating sacks and takedowns at an elite rate while leading the NFL in many advanced metrics. But after two losses in which they allowed 59 points, 777 yards and 45 first downs in five days, there are suddenly big questions about Brian Flores’ group. Let’s examine three important topics during this two-game race.

Is Cashman the most valuable player on the Vikings’ defense? It might be so, considering how they play without him. Through the first five games, the former Gopher was outstanding in every aspect of playing linebacker; he is the best coverage player at the position, defends the run well, and is an effective blitz player. However, a turf toe issue has sidelined him since the London game, forcing Ivan Pace Jr. into full-time duty. While Pace is a downhill bolter, he’s not nearly on the same level as Cashman in terms of coverage ability.

One of the biggest things that both Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford used against the Vikings was the second level down the middle of the field; The area behind linebackers and in front of safeties. Cashman helps cover those areas, so if he can return to the field in Week 9 against the Colts, that would be a huge accomplishment.

Greenard has been one of the best pass rushers in the NFL this season. He showed up again Thursday night and recorded five pressures — the only player in the league to do so in every game — and earned a PFF grade of 89.8. But other than that, the Vikings’ pass rush was virtually non-existent in a game where they pressured Matthew Stafford on less than 25 percent of return passes. Actors like Pat Jones II and Jonathan Bullard were not cast in major roles. Harrison Phillips, Andrew Van Ginkel and Jerry Tillery were good but not very effective in that regard.

Stafford mostly had clean pockets to use while figuring out the Vikings’ defense. The lack of pressure from players other than Greenard is concerning and reinforces the idea that the team’s biggest roster need is a defensive tackle who can get to the point guard. On the sidelines, Jones slowed down after a hot start and rookie Dallas Turner doesn’t play at all. One telling statistic is that Greenard’s 43 pressures this season put him 24 ahead of everyone else on the team.

Pass rush and coverage always work hand in hand. When things are going well, the two complement each other and make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. When it doesn’t work, it turns into a vicious cycle. Corners have a hard time holding on because the passing attack doesn’t get to the goal, but in other cases the pass attack doesn’t get to the goal because the corners aren’t sticky and the ball comes out quickly.

It was the same for the Vikings. Byron Murphy Jr. He was good in this game and has rebounded pretty well from a slow start to the season, but Stephon Gilmore is trending in the other direction. The 34-year-old cornerback was credited with 98 receiving yards against the Rams; 27 of them, including a key third-down conversion by Cooper Kupp late in the game. No. 3 cornerback Shaq Griffin was beaten on one of Demarcus Robinson’s two field goals (he picked up Harrison Smith on the other). They’ve faced some very good defenders in the last two games, but if the defense is going to go back to its old ways, the Vikings need cornerbacks to play better.

Overall, it will be interesting to hear from Flores next week and see what adjustments he can make in the Vikings’ next game against the Colts.