Minnesota snuck out of Chicago with a sloppy 9-3 win, moving to 2-0 on the young season. But don’t let that score fool you, what happened at Soldier Field on Sunday, September 20th, might actually be the start of something big. Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano on The Real Forno Show are already talking about a Super Bowl foundation, and it’s all built on belief, a suffocating Brian Flores defense that can close, and a run game finally getting some love.
The Flores Blueprint Is Clear for the Vikings
Flores’ defense is proving it can win ugly, shutting down opponents even when the offense is nowhere to be found. Two years ago, that Chicago game was a nightmare waiting to happen, but not this time. The Bears went 0-for-3 in the red zone. Isaiah Rodgers made huge plays, recovering a fumble and blocking a kick. Dallas Turner, oh man, he finished Tyson Bagent when Colston Loveland was left completely alone. Forness called Flores’ last call a “genius actual play design,” a true mastermind move. Sure, a little luck was involved, Forness admitted, saying that play “doesn’t happen if it’s Caleb Williams,” and you definitely need some luck to win a Super Bowl. But this team is *finding* ways to win. That’s the difference.
Defensive Playmakers Stepping Up Big
We’ve gotta talk about Dallas Turner. Despite some folks criticizing him for not winning enough one-on-ones, this dude has racked up 20 pressures in just two weeks! Flores is scheming him into prime matchups, and it’s working. Forness is convinced that “Brian Flores continues to be a creative mastermind,” and that “Dallas Turner is primed to have an elite season.” And it’s not only Turner. The defensive line depth is legit. Jalen Redmond? He “might be the best player on the team not named Justin Jefferson or Christian Darrisaw.” That’s high praise, and it shows you where the real strength of this team lies right now. They’re leaning on a “disgusting” combination of blitzing defense and a massive run rate.
The Offense Remains a Mystery Box
Now, the flip side. The offense is still the biggest head-scratcher. Forness said outright, “I can’t tell you if the offense is good or not because we haven’t seen the offense actually play, other than 11 plays” with Kyler Murray. Carson Wentz “proved who he is” against Chicago: some absolute lasers to Josh Oliver and T.J. Hockenson, but also the misses that keep him a backup. On the ground, Aaron Jones went off for 23 carries and 105 yards with Jordan Mason out, but Forness still calls the backfield “abysmal” if Jones goes down, with Demond Claiborne “borderline unplayable,” DeeJay Dallas dinged, and Jerome Ford on the practice squad. They’re running the ball a ton, a 62% run rate on first and second down, number one in the NFL, according to Ben Goessling. But two games isn’t a fix, and everyone’s asking: “How do these tendencies manifest with Kyler Murray?”
Kyler Murray is cleared for Tampa, and honestly, that’s the story going into the next game. Can this offense finally get some reps with their starter and show us what they can really do? Because right now, the defense is carrying the load, building confidence, and making everyone wonder if a Super Bowl foundation is actually being laid in Minnesota. Let’s see if the offense can catch up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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