Lions Week 9 preview: Breaking down Vikings’ offensive, defensive schemes

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.

Vikings head coach: Kevin O’Connell

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...