Vikings 3-4 Base Defense vs 12 Personnel. Part 1 3-4 With Split Field Coverage Concepts

The Vikings are a top defense right now only allowing 10 points per game. They are the the 2nd best rushing defense in the NFL, allowing just 71 yards per game.

This article looks at the Vikings defense against 12 personnel. They have been very effective in their run defense, and they primarily do it with 2 fronts vs 12 personnel. Brian Flores likes to use both the under front and his 3-4 front when playing vs this personnel grouping on early downs. He will mix in some pressures with both looks.

The defense has helped them start 3-0 and it starts with their run game. Again they are only allowing 71 yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. That is very impressive.

In this article let’s look at the 3-4 front

3-4 front

Much of the time they will play with a nose and 2 and a 4i. This allows their LB to scrape to the C gap hard on plays their way. They will also run some games from this front.

The blitzes:
They like to send 3 blitzes from this front

Mike pressures: Opposite OLB drops

Will pressures: Opposite OLB drops

Both OLB blitz and the 2 Inside LB are in coverage.

Coverages

They primarily run this from a cover 4 or 2 split field look.

Example #1

photo #2

The DT shoots the B gap and knocks the guard off his track for the LB. 51 the Mike is on the pressure. The opposite OLB will drop if pass.

Here is the Mike pressure from the 3-4 front.

They play the concept with quarters.

Another look at the same pressure with a 2nd wr away from the blitz. In this situation, the OLB on the weak side will match #2 to the flat. This is the adjustment vs a #2 wr weak.

Below we will show this blitz as well as the 3 detailed above.

3-4 video analysis clips vs 12 personnel.

They like to send 3 blitzes from this front:

• Mike pressures: Opposite OLB drops

• Will pressures: Opposite OLB drops

• Both OLB blitz and the 2 Inside LB are in coverage.

• You will also see a cover 2 concept where they only send 4 and they rush 1 OLB and the other drops