Behind the Steel Curtain
While some of the attention this week has been on Aaron Rodgers facing off against the team he reportedly wanted to play for in Ireland, most of it has also been directed at former Steelers senior defensive assistant Brian Flores. Flores was with the Steelers from 2022 to 2023, also serving as the linebackers Coach.
An interesting tidbit leading into the game — Steelers OC Arthur Smith interviewed Flores for a defensive coordinator job when he was in Atlanta. Speaking to the media today, Smith said he sees similarities between his philosophies and Flores’ when it comes to disguising concepts, and that the Vikings are “a damn good defense,” via Alan Saunders of Steelers Now.
The numbers certainly support that, as Minnesota holds the #1 ranking in defensive expected points added per play (EPA/play) through three weeks.
When speaking to the media on Wednesday, Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers had this to say about Flores and the Vikings defense:
“Well, they’re going to bring pressure at some point, and you’ve got to have some ideas to combat that. So you’ve got to expect it. They do a good job of disguising; everything looks the same. You don’t want them to get going and sack you a bunch and play behind the sticks.”
Flores got the best of Rodgers and the Jets last season in a 23-17 Vikings win in London, a game in which Rodgers threw three interceptions and was also sacked three times.
This will be quite the chess match between two coordinators with former head coaching experience, who hold impressive NFL resumes.
If the Vikings’ defense dominates, it’ll continue to add insult to injury to a Steelers defense that has not played up to standard.
