The Vikings’ defense was suddenly vulnerable after losses against savvy, strong-armed QBs

The defense, which fueled Minnesota’s 5-0 start with a devastating pass rush and a slew of tacklers to stop the run, had a rough week, getting overwhelmed by several code-breaking quarterbacks and their playmakers.

Four days after the Vikings suffered their first loss of the season with Detroit’s high-octane offense, they were defeated again by another powerhouse in Los Angeles that followed a similar blueprint.

Just like Jared Goff did Lions earned a 31-29 victory on SundayThe Vikings’ zone pass coverage was broken down by the Rams’ Matthew Stafford. Los Angeles’ 30-20 win Thursday night. Goff and Stafford combined to go 47-for-59 for 559 yards and six touchdowns, and the one turnover the Vikings forced in each game wasn’t enough to slow the opponent down.

There’s no shame in giving up shots to players like Goff and Stafford. The Lions are thriving with one of the most balanced lineups in the game under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, ranking second in the NFL in yards per game and third in points per game. Inconveniently for the Vikings, the Rams welcomed standout wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from injuries and began to surge forward in a dominant fashion reminiscent of their Super Bowl champion team from three years ago.

Against the Lions, the Vikings sacked Goff four times with effective early and late pressure, but Goff remained largely untouched and maintained his rhythm in the middle quarter. They never got to Stafford and recorded just two hits, their first sack-free performance. One of the most alarming plays came in the second quarter when Jonathan Greenard used a spin move to get into the backfield and force Stafford to slide up the pocket. As Harrison Phillips approached in prime position to finish off the sack, Stafford ducked under his arms and threw a touchdown pass to Kupp.

With linebacker Blake Cashman sidelined for the second straight game with a turf toe injury, the Vikings were much less effective against the run. The various blitzes and disguises designed to make the offenses that defensive coordinator Brian Flores has successfully deployed this year, designed to suggest pressure is on, haven’t caused much trouble for Goff. There was even less disruption for Stafford. Rams coach Sean McVay also called for several screen passes to account for the receivers’ speed and get the ball out of Stafford’s hands as quickly as possible.

“We’re dealing with teams hitting us in the same areas, take advantage of that. We’re seeing more screens. We’re seeing more run attacks. They’re trying to make us tackle, they’re trying to set up.” “I don’t think this will be the last time we see this, so we’ve got a lot of things to fix,” Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin said.

Cohesion and communication were also persistent issues Thursday. Cashman’s absence certainly didn’t help.

“I think everyone’s spirits are still high, but no one likes that feeling,” Griffin said.

Even worse than the experience of consecutive defeats: The losing star battled Christian Darrisow for the rest of the season. Darrisaw tore ligaments in his left knee, coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday.

The Vikings couldn’t have imagined that quarterback Sam Darnold would have a better start to the season. He had a season-best passer rating of 128.7 against the Rams, ranking fifth in the league in that category.

The Vikings sabotage their offense with completely avoidable penalties before the attack. After being whistled for one false start, two illegal formations and a rare offensive offside penalty against the Lions, they were flagged for two false starts and two illegal formations against the Rams.

Ryan Wright averaged 50.3 yards catching on three punts, returning each one for a long of 61 yards inside the 20-yard line.

Jalen Nailor threw a short pass early in the fourth quarter that would have given the Vikings a chance at a first down. He had the angle to get into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown, but the Vikings had to settle for a field goal. Nailor scored in each of the first three matches but has been quiet since then.

The loss of Darrisow will be quite difficult to overcome, but the Vikings will have TE TJ Hockenson back from injury next week. Cashman is also on track to return.

The Vikings have lost nine consecutive night games against teams in the West division; It’s a streak of stretch issues that has been building since their last win in Oakland in 1996. two to the Rams and one to San Francisco.

Vikings will host Indianapolis Colts on November 3A game that NBC picked up for its prime time slot under the league’s flexible scheduling policy. After that, the Vikings have three road games: at Jacksonville, Tennessee and Chicago.