The Vikings' worst nightmare has returned. They have to stop opponents without a reliable pass rush.
The loss of defensive end Danielle Hunter to a torn pectoral muscle has ramifications on all three levels of the Vikings defense, a unit that ranks 12th in scoring defense. That ranking might start to drop because Hunter, who has six sacks, is done for the year and the Purple lacks depth behind him.
The benefits of being able to pressure the quarterback with just four linemen in today's NFL are immeasurable. Blitzing can be effective but it's also risky, as quarterbacks are taught to identify where the pressure is coming from and make the corresponding read.