“He’s been electric really since he stepped on the field for us,” said Johnson. “I don’t know if I’ve necessarily seen anything out of the ordinary. I know he had the one 30-yard run last week, but I don’t think any of us were surprised by it. So he’s been consistent. It’s the details for him, the landmarks in the running game, understanding in pass pro who he’s responsible for. For not being a really big guy, he is more than willing and he continues to get better in that area. That’s probably the one department that we continue to see going up and up. But the run game has been pretty solid all year long.”
Brian Flores’ knowledge of Jared Goff
Minnesota’s defensive coordinator is an experienced assistant coach who has the Vikings defense executing at a high level.
While Goff is an experienced veteran, Flores is likely honing in on the veteran’s play the past two seasons, as opposed to using past film of his days with the Rams to aid in his preparation.
“I’m sure he knows how Jared and some of his style. I think Jared has evolved over the years, so we aren’t running the L.A. offense, per se. We’ve got some elements of it, but Jared has grown as a quarterback as well,” Johnson said. “So, if there’s anything that he’s going to draw from in his past, he also has to keep in mind the recent tape of Jared, where he’s a little bit different player than he was a few years ago. And same thing with him, and his Miami stuff that he put on tape there. They’ve got some carryover things, but not all of it, so it’ll be a good battle here this week.”
Dealing with Minnesota’s offensive weapons
Minnesota features tight end T.J. Hockenson, rookie wideout Jordan Addison and star receiver Justin Jefferson.
Addison has been heavily targeted and has recorded nine touchdowns this season while averaging over 13 yards per reception.
“Yeah, well confidence, that’s a big part of it, as with any rookie. HIs confidence is clearly up and you can tell that as an offense, quarterback, all of them, play-caller, that they have confidence in finding ways to get him the ball,” said Dan Campbell “And the things that you liked about him coming out of the Draft is what’s showing up, man he is a – he’s a pure outside receiver. He’s a very crafty route runner. He’s got a vast route tree, really good hands. So, he’s just, he’s developing. I mean, if you’re them, you’re pleased with where he’s at right now, that’s for sure.”
Jefferson had two distinctly different games against Detroit’s defense last season.
For Aaron Glenn’s defensive unit, the hope is one-on-one battles go their way to avoid Justin Jefferson recording over 200 yards receiving, like he was able to accomplish in one of the meetings last season.
“Look, there’s nothing easy about going against him and now that you’ve got Addison on the other side. You’ve got (T.J.) Hockenson, obviously at the tight end position and they’ve got a run game, so that makes it difficult,” Campbell expressed. “I just go back to this, the resources you’re going to use to try to slow him down and then it opens up other avenues, here. And there again, if you’re going to do that, that means the other guy’s got to be able to win their one-on-ones, you have to. So, there’s nothing easy about it.
“I know this, we can’t let him have 200 yards again. I mean, that’s the most obvious. So, we’re going to have to have some answers,” Campbell commented further. “He’s getting back in the flow. The other day he’s, you can start to see that he’s getting back and he’s going to be even better this week. They’re going to want to get him the football and he is, he’s a dynamic football player and if he’s not the best, he’s one of the best at the position. So, it’ll be a challenge. It’s going to be a challenge.”
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