The Detroit Lions offense won't be surprised by what the Minnesota Vikings defense brings Sunday in one of the biggest matchups of the 2024 season.
The Lions ' first NFC North matchup of the season comes against the Vikings, one of two undefeated teams left in the NFL remaining, and their disruptive defense. Minnesota ranks second in scoring defense (15.2 points per game), seventh in total defense (329.4 yards allowed per game) and second in takeaways (13) with the most interceptions (11).
"They do a lot of different stuff so that's why I think it's hard," wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said Thursday. "A lot of bunch of different coverages, different looks. I think it's one of the most unique defenses in this league, and I feel like a lot of teams, they struggle preparing against a defense like that."
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The Lions are well aware of the punishment the Vikings, led by coordinator Brian Flores, have given some top offenses in the league, such as the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans. The Vikings have held four of their five opponents to 17 points or fewer.
Head coach Dan Campbell says the Lions are preparing for it.
"Everybody calm down, composure, make an identification, let’s all be on the same page and if we’re all wrong, we’re all right if it comes to that," Campbell said Wednesday. "So I think that’s a lot of it because they don’t make it easy and that’s part of this defense. They’re trying to stress you out, they’re trying to strain you, the clock’s running, this game we’ll be on the road, and they’ve — it’s worked."
Minnesota's defense has improved from last year's two meetings due to better execution of Flores' disguise- and blitz-heavy scheme, as well as new personnel that have helped it shine. The Vikings have a league-leading blitz rate of 41.1%, down 10% from 2023, and implement zone looks behind those blitzes, helping create the turnovers.
"(Flores) does a fantastic job of not letting you know where it’s coming from," offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. "He finds a way each week, I said it last week about (Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer), this week with Flores, they try to find a way to get a free hitter."
New personnel on all three levels of Minnesota's defense has amplified the Vikings' ability to confuse offenses, particularly at the linebacker position with Blake Cashman (who is expected to miss Sunday's game), Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard and rookie Dallas Turner. The versatility of the personnel in the front seven allows the blitzes to come from all over the field to try to confuse quarterbacks.
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"Their personnel’s better and they’re on version two of this defense, so it’s definitely a tough unit and we’ve got our hands full, but it’s something that we’re getting ready for now and it’ll be a good one,” quarterback Jared Goff said Wednesday.
St. Brown said the Lions' preparation is detailed week-in and week-out for their various opponents, but they will be preparing for "everything" to be a possibility.
"They'll show everyone up on the line (and) drop guys, they'll bring them all," St. Brown said. "So we have to be ready for anything. (In) cover zero, they can drop to any coverage that they want out of that. So we have adjustments, but like I said, they might show something completely different on Sunday that we are not ready for. We just gotta adjust."
The Lions are rolling into the matchup with confidence in their offense after putting 47 points on the Cowboys despite leaving some opportunities in the red zone on the table, and 42 points against the Seahawks two weeks previously.
"We took care of business coming off the bye week, the guys were dialed in," Johnson said. "We have to have that same focus and intensity this week because this is a very good opponent."
St. Brown said the offense feels well-prepared with a detailed plan of what the Vikings are going to do.
"We are just executing at a high level," St. Brown said. "We are on our details, we're on the spot. Jared is doing a great job protecting the football, taking care of the football. Us as ball carriers not turning it over, not putting the ball on the ground. O-line protecting their butts off up front."
Everything has clicked into place for Detroit's offense, who will need to try to keep the mojo going against Flores and the Vikings. And Johnson is looking forward to the best-on-best fight.
"They go hard for 60 minutes and like I said, we’ll have to do that again here this week," Johnson said.
Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press covering the city's professional teams, the state's two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22 , and email him at jramsey@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions on Minnesota Vikings chaotic defense: 'We have to be ready for anything'
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