The Detroit Lions (5-2) and Minnesota Vikings (3-4) will square off in a Week 9 NFC North battle. These rivals are very familiar with one another, and while the Lions are working with two new coordinators, the Vikings have had the same key staff members in place for the past three seasons. Here’s what Lions coach Dan Campbell had to say about the Vikings:
“The Vikings, good divisional opponent. Got a lot of respect for what KOC [Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell] has done out there and that staff and that team. They’ve had a lot of success, have always found a way to win and be competitive in this league, in this division, certainly. Good players […] This’ll be a big test for us at our place, but once again, we’re looking forward to this.”
Let’s take a closer look at the Vikings’ coaching staff, the scheme that they run, and some scouting notes from previously viewed games.
NFL seasons as a quarterback: 4 seasons, including spending five days in 2009 with the Detroit Lions
NFL coaching seasons: 11 seasons, including 3 as OC (Washington 2019, Rams 2020-21)
Head coaching seasons: 4 seasons, Vikings 2022-present
Influences: Sean McVay, Jay Gruden, Bill Callahan, Matt Cavanaugh, John DeFlippo
Playcaller: Yes (Offense)
Offensive coordinator: Wes Phillips
NFL coaching seasons: 19 seasons
Offensive coordinator seasons: 4 seasons, Vikings 2022-present
Influences: Kevin O’Connell, Sean McVay, Jay Gruden, Bill Callahan, Matt Cavanaugh, Jason Garrett
NFL Bloodlines: Dad is Wade Phillips
Key Staff: Josh McCown, QB coach; Curtis Modkins, RB coach
Offensive scheme
Passing game: McVay/KOC West Coast
Running scheme: Shanahan zone
Staples of scheme:
- Personnel: 11 (72%, 6th), 12 (22.8%, 16th), 13 (2%, 23rd), 21 (3.3%, 13th)
- Pre-snap movement
- Play-action (33% when J.J. McCarthy is starting, 8th most in NFL)
- End-arounds and screens to get the ball out quickly and into their playmaker’s hands
- Condensed formations (declining in 2025, 34.5%, lowest rate under KOC)
- Outside-zone run concepts
- Strives for balance between pass and run games
- Will give up on the run game when it’s not working (A contrast from 2024, but comparable to 2023)
- This season, they have attempted 219 passes and run the ball 153 times (Fewest attempts in the NFL)
- O’Connell adapts to personnel as well as any coach in the NFL (See McCarthy notes below)
Scouting notes
- With J.J. McCarthy likely returning to the starting role, we’ll likely see adjustments to the offense
- Look for them to lean on the running game, keep tight ends in to block, and set up quick/easy check-downs
- McCarthy is also capable of running, and while KOC will want to use that to help him settle in, leaning on it too much risks the QB re-injuring his ankle
- Their rushing attack is struggling—a team total of 11 attempts for 34 rushing yards in Week 8
- On the season, Vikings EPA per rushing attempt is -0.17 (31st in NFL)
- Lack of success is even more surprising considering they face the fewest stacked boxes in the NFL (11.8%)
- While both offensive tackles could return this week, their interior offensive line is getting pushed around
- Sacks allowed (28, 29th) and sack rate allowed (11.3%, 31st) are among the worst in the NFL
- T.J. Hockenson isn’t much help in the blocking game; TE2 Josh Oliver has already been ruled OUT
- Third down offense is inconsistent (33.33%, 27th in NFL)
Dan Campbell on the Vikings’ offense:
“[WR Justin] Jefferson, starts with him. He’s outstanding. Quarterback [McCarthy] is talented. Young guy, but he is mobile. He’s got a big arm, and he is accurate. We’ve got a big test there with those guys. Obviously [WR Jordan] Addison, [TE T.J. Hockenson] Hock, I mean, they’ve got weapons.”
Dan Campbell on the Vikings’ QB J.J. McCarthy:
“I know what the talent is, I’ve seen it. So, they’re going to do what they need to do to help him out and try to reduce the stress. Take as much off his plate, but yet, allow him to do things he does well. [Jefferson] 18 is a catalyst, 18’s a catalyst. [RB Aaron] Jones is a hell of a back. They’re going to find ways. They want to try to establish the run, screen game, get it to 18, get this kid on the move. They’re going to do a hell of a job. They’ll have a good plan ready, and so will we.”
Defensive coordinator: Brian Flores
NFL coaching seasons: 18 seasons
Defensive coordinator seasons: 3 seasons, Vikings 2023-present
Head Coach seasons: 3 seasons, Dolphins 2019-21
Influences: Bill Belichick, Pat Narduzzi, Dean Pees, Mike Tomlin, Pepper Johnson, Matt Patricia, Teryl Austin
Key Staff: Mike Pettine, Assistant head coach (previously outside linebackers coach)
Defensive scheme
Base: 34 hybrid
Coverage: Zone heavy (75% of defensive snaps)
Staples of scheme:
- The most creative and complex defense in the NFL
- Live in extremes: Utilizing both Max pressure (loaded box) and Max coverage (drop 8 into coverage)
- Aggressive in nature
- Pressure-diverse scheme (38.4% pressure rate, sixth in NFL)
- Blitz at a very high rate (41.6%, second most in the NFL in 2025)
- Blitzes are creative and come from anywhere
- Bait and trap: Anticipate and cover hot routes off blitzes
- Stack the box (35.7% of the time, third most in NFL)
- Overload the line of scrimmage to gain a numbers advantage — leads to one-on-ones
- Heavy lean of Zone (75%) vs. Man coverage (21%)
- Multiple variations of zone: Cover-2 (30%, most in NFL), Cover-3 (20%), Cover-4 (10%), Cover-6 (15%)
- Disguise pre-snap coverages
- Zone coverage leads to fewer YAC allowed (675 yards over seven games, fifth-fewest yards allowed)
Scouting notes
- Offseason free agents have disappointed: DL Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, as well as CB Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Rodgers (save his one perfect game)
- Youth hasn’t developed: Dallas Turner has failed to take another step in Andrew Van Ginkel’s absence
- Steady players have regressed: Josh Metellus has struggled, especially in coverage of late
- Scheme is being replicated: like MAZE (man alignment, zone execution); offenses are not being fooled
- DL and LB speed does well vs. Outside Zone rushing attacks — susceptible to Gap and Duo
- If RBs get past penetrating DL, there’s lots of space to run (27 rushes of 10+ yards allowed, 22nd most)
- Defensive aggression dissipates when offenses establish the run
- Deep zones and pinched LBs, combined with heavy Cover-2, lead to gaps in the middle of the field
- Only two starters (Rodgers and safety Theo Jackson) have a PFF coverage grade above 60 (average)
Dan Campbell on the Vikings’ defense
”Defensively, what Flores has done, it’s always disrupted defense. They force you into errors, they capitalize like they did Cincinnati this year. Forced five takeaways, two of them touchdowns. I mean, that’s what they can do to you, they’ll get on you. Got to stay composed and just handle your business, be patient. But a lot of good players, man. [EDGE Jonathan Greenard] 58’s a hell of a player, [DL Javon] Hargrave, [DL Jonathon] Allen. We can keep going down the line here. I think [DB Joshua] Metellus is a good player, [LB Blake] Cashman’s a good player, [LB Ivan] Pace is a hell of a blitzer, round and round. [CB Isaiah] Rodgers has made some plays this year, [CB Byron] Murphy has been there going on three years now. Good crew.”
Later adding…
“ I think [DL Jalen] Redmond’s an outstanding player. I really do, man. I think that guy is disruptive, I think he plays the run, I think he gets an edge in the pass game. Here’s what I’d say, they’re looking for more disruption. More of a penetrating style defense up front is what they’re looking for, and you can feel some of that. For the most part, it’s very much what it’s been. There’s a couple of things that have changed over the last couple of years a little bit, but all in all, it’s very much Coach Flores.”
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