The secret for Minnesota’s protection is blitz, blitz, and blitz some extra. In line with Professional Soccer Reference, the Vikings have blitzed 36.1% of the time this season, far and away the best fee within the NFL; the Bucs are second with a 31.4% blitz fee.

When these groups met in Week 8, Stafford picked aside the Vikings protection when he was blitzed. He had 13 dropbacks in opposition to the move, finishing 10 of 13 passes for 128 yards with no sacks taken and solely 4 pressures allowed by the Rams O-line, per Professional Soccer Focus. One in every of his three incompletions was a drop, too.

This season, Stafford has a 103.2 passer score in opposition to the blitz, which ranks eighth amongst all quarterbacks. He’s accomplished 66.5% of his passes with eight touchdowns and two interceptions when blitzed this yr.

The Rams know Brian Flores goes to blitz early and infrequently, and with how effectively Stafford has carried out in opposition to additional rushers, they need to really feel assured of their veteran quarterback.