How the Minnesota Vikings Can Slow St. Louis Rams Pass Rush in Week 1

The potency of the St. Louis Rams’ pass rush is no secret.

After the breakout performance of Robert Quinn in 2013, they stand as one of the best pass-rushing units in the league. How the Minnesota Vikings plan to handle St. Louis up front will be a key factor to any offensive success on Sunday.

Just how tall is the Vikings' task? Well, using last season’s stats to project what the Rams will do this season seems like a worthwhile place to begin. Utilizing defensive coordinator Tim Walton’s 4-3 scheme, the Rams put up very impressive numbers. They finished third in the league in sacks per game and, in an even more meaningful stat, finished second in sack percentage.

An average of only 9.8 passing attempts were recorded between each sack!

The scary part is that the St. Louis defense very well may be a more formidable unit in 2014. First, the Rams hired noted preacher of pressure Gregg Williams to be their new defensive coordinator. Then with their second first-round pick, they added the draft's most athletic defensive tackle in Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald. They have stocked their defensive line with premium talent at the top end and with depth to spell it.

Robert Quinn is the defensive line's premier player and should be the point of focus for Minnesota. Per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the North Carolina Tar Heel product was the single most productive 4-3 defensive end last season. He recorded 91 total pressures, which included 19 sacks, 21 quarterback hits and 51 quarterback hurries. 99.8 percent of his rushes came from the right defensive end position.

Matt Kalil is the embattled left tackle who has the unfortunate task of matching up with Quinn in Week 1. A big performance from Kalil will be the most important factor if Minnesota is to have success. He’s coming off a disappointing sophomore season and an even more questionable 2014 preseason.

Speed-rushes around the corner should be on Kalil’s mind first and foremost. This move is Quinn’s go-to. With his explosive first step, balance and flexibility, he can turn the corner in an instant, especially on the fast turf of St. Louis' Edward Jones Dome. Thirteen of Quinn’s 19 sacks, after all, came at home. Here’s how he utilizes the familiar surroundings.

NFL Game Rewind

Matt Kalil has sufficient athleticism to compete consistently against the league's best pass-rushers, but Quinn will take advantage of any lapses in concentration or technique, however.

The task gets a little easier across the rest of the defensive line. Expect St. Louis to utilize a rotation of defensive tackles Michael Brockers, Kendall Langford and Aaron Donald. There’s enough power and athleticism among that group to keep the Vikings interior offensive line on its toes all game. Chris Long will compete with Phil Loadholt for a majority of the game from his left defensive end position.

St. Louis has the talent to apply pressure with just four rushers. But they won’t stop there. Defensive coordinator Williams will integrate exotic blitz packages that will test the cohesiveness and coordination of Minnesota’s offensive line.

These plays from when Williams was the coordinator of the 2011 New Orleans Saints are perfect examples of the ways he wants to challenge an offensive line.

NFL Game Rewind

NFL Game Rewind

Exotic blitzes like this are the rule, not the exception, when it comes to Williams.

Communication and pre-snap recognition are vitally important to handling blitzes like these. But these assets are a couple things working in the Vikings’ favor. Their offensive line has featured the same five starters for the last two seasons coming into this game. That means familiarity and an ability to communicate should be advantageds up front.

The second feature is that the Vikes have a veteran quarterback, Matt Cassel, who’s been through the wars against these types of defenses and an intelligent center in John Sullivan who can pick up on keys and call alignments for the entire offensive line.

The offensive line is of course the first line of defense against that fearsome St. Louis pass rush, but Cassel has an important job as well. For the passing game to thrive, he must recognize the blitz before the snap and get the ball out quickly. Everything must work in coordination. The offensive line can only hold out for so long.

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner will also have a plan for how to deal with Quinn and company. Turner has indicated that Matt Kalil’s struggles in the preseason were due in part to getting left in one-on-one situations on the outside to see how he would fare. If the results of those experiments sway Turner at all, the Vikings will send help Kalil’s way quite often. They’ll do this mainly by using an extra tight end or a back to chip Quinn.

Turner’s play-calling will be an important factor as well. Establishing the run and utilizing play-action passes can slow down the rush. Screen passes are also a great way to slow down the Rams rush, if only for a brief moment.

Turner showed a few of these in the preseason. This is how they look drawn up.

Preseason Live

The screen pass takes advantage of overeager pass rushers. On this play, the three interior offensive linemen release upfield after allowing the defensive tackles to slide past. A instance or two of an effective screen pass can keep pass-rushers honest for the rest of the game.

Matt Cassel’s work in the pocket is the final factor. This is a feature of quarterback play that doesn’t get enough attention. A quarterback who doesn’t maneuver responsibly in the pocket leaves his offensive line out to dry.

Cassel did some impressive work complementing his offensive line in the preseason. This play against Kansas City stands out in particular and is relevant to the St. Louis game plan.

Preseason Live

As Cassel puts his back foot down and surveys down the field, the Kansas City edge-rushers both begin closing off the corner. Cassel has space to climb the pocket, aiding his tackles in their task. Matt Asiata will also release into the flat after he chips Tamba Hali.

Preseason Live

After stepping up in the pocket, Cassel checks down to Asiat. The back catches this ball, eludes the linebacker and gains 31 yards. Simple pocket movement and smart decision-making can go a long way.

All of these interwoven factors speak to the complexity of the issue at hand. The Rams offer something different every single down in terms of pass-rush capabilities. The Vikings hold in their hand a number of cards that can quell that pressure, but they have to be played correctly.

Keeping Cassel upright starts with the performance of the offensive line. And appropriate play-calling from Turner and a poised presence in the pocket from Cassel will also be critical if Minnesota's offense is to slow down the St. Louis rush.