Simms lauds Flores' defensive clinic, questioning why the mastermind isn't leading an NFL team after a shocking win.
The Minnesota Vikings (8-8) stunned the Detroit Lions (8-8) on Thursday, 23-10. They did so without much of any offensive production.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Texas Longhorns quarterback Chris Simms did not hold back his thoughts on Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores. He voiced his thoughts on the Vikings' defensive domination in the game on a social media post the platform, "X."
"Brian Flores just put on an absolute clinic. Completely shut down Goff and Campbell and the Lions. Vikes threw for 51 yards and beat Detroit! How is BFlo not a head coach?!"
Max Brosmer's 51 passing yards does not tell the whole story. Brosmer did complete nine of his 16 passing attempts for just 51 yards and 3.2 yards per attempt. But he also took seven sacks for 48 lost yards. So, while he did record 51 passing yards, the net passing total drops to three yards in the passing game after lost sack yardage. That's a historic low for a winning quarterback in the NFL in recent memory.
To Brosmer's credit, he managed not to throw any interceptions. The Minnesota running game totaled 158 rushing yards with Brosmer adding two carries for 16 yards. Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison bolstered the rushing total with one carry for a 65-yard touchdown on the ground.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) celebrates after a play against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesThe story of the day was the turnover battle. The Vikings forced six turnovers, five of which came from Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. The Lions signal caller coughed up three fumbles and threw two interceptions, while Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs was responsible for the final fumble.
For the day, Goff was limited to 197 passing yards, a touchdown and 18 completions on 29 attempts. Gibbs added 17 carries for a pedestrian 41 yards with just 2.4 yards per attempt. Fellow Lions running back David Montgomery did not perform much better with 10 carries for 25 yards and 2.5 yards per attempt.
In short, Flores' defense was suffocating. The performance may have put him squarely on the radar of several NFL teams that are looking for a new head coach.
The above conclusion might not be what Minnesota fans are hoping to hear. The Vikings have to be fond of the job Flores has done as defensive coordinator, after he held New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart to just 33 passing yards a week ago.
Flores is the Vikings defensive coordinator for now. Time will tell if it stays that way for long.