Hogs Haven
Heavy.com
The Minnesota Vikings in 2025 blitzed at a league high 44.3%, nearly 11% higher than the next closest team.
This is because Brian Flores enjoys utilizing “two-deep” and “four-deep” fire zone blitzes, according to [podcaster Brett] Kollmann. Kollmann explains how this is uncommon compared to how the majority of the league blitzing out of what is known as a “three-deep” fire zone.
While not trying to go too deep into the weeds about what all this means, just understand that Brian Flores’ defensive scheme is incredibly unique and relies on blitzing.
His scheme also utilizes a linebacker’s ability to cover the middle of the field and the backend’s ability to negate big plays. The additional pressure forces opposing quarterbacks to release the ball quickly and allows the linebackers to make a lot of tackles underneath. Despite Minnesota ranking second in the team sack percentage this season, their leading sacker is tied for only the 25th most in the league.
Flores’s defense relies on collective effort and a scheme that is used to disrupt offenses and could play perfectly into Washington’s hands.
When it comes to the NFC East, while the Vikings struggled against the Eagles early in the season, Brian Flores held Dak Prescott to 294 yards passing with no touchdowns and held Jaxson Dart to just 33 yards passing and an interception.
Commanders.com
Croskey-Merritt led the team with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, the latter of which was the second-most for a rookie running back. Rodriguez set career highs in nearly every category, rushing for 500 yards on 112 attempts and six touchdowns (he had 86 carries for 420 yards and four touchdowns for his career prior to the 2025 season).
McNichols — the veteran of the group — had 417 total yards on 75 touches, including a career-long 60-yard touchdown. The Commanders chose not to have a true starting running back, electing instead to use all three players in a way that highlighted their skill sets. That approach — a growing trend around the league — was important to the group’s success, Quinn said.
“Blitz pickup, running game, third down; all that matters,” Quinn said. “And at that position, you better be tough, and these guys, they are tough.”
The Commanders have several decisions to make at the running back position if they want to keep that dominance going in 2026. Croskey-Merritt is the only player at the position not on an expiring contract, which means they will need to either draft or sign players in free agency. There are a few players on the market who could help elevate the group, but whoever they pick will have a high standard to meet next season.
Riggo’s Rag
As Washington Commanders fans watched Drake Maye and...
