3 things the Vikings need to improve heading into Week 9

Pass Coverage

Last Thursday, the Vikings found themselves in a surprisingly close game with a 1-6 team and a big reason for that was how horrid their pass coverage was, especially in the first half.

Xavier Rhodes has been struggling of late and those struggles may have peaked against the Redskins. Washington quarterback Case Keenum repeatedly looked in Rhodes’ direction and it worked as he completed pass after pass to Terry McLaurin.

Rhodes then drew a big pass interference flag that put Washington in the red zone. Luckily Minnesota’s defense tightened up and the Redskins had to settle for a field goal.

The Vikings’ pass coverage has to get better in Week 9. It appears that Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes could be returning from his injury for the matchup and he’ll be itching to move the ball down the field to help get his team back in the win column.

Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill will be the best receiver Rhodes has faced all season and if the Minnesota corner continues to play the way he has recently, things will get ugly fast.

Mike Zimmer has been trying some different things with Rhodes this year and these new methods clearly aren’t working. It is beyond time for Zimmer to go back to using his top corner the way he did a few seasons ago.

If Rhodes starts the game in Kansas City and immediately gives up a big play or gets a pass interference call that puts the Chiefs in scoring position, the Vikings shouldn’t hesitate to make a move. Rhodes knows he’s struggling and if the frustration continues to mount, his play could get worse.

Minnesota should be keeping their No. 1 cornerback on a very short leash against Kansas City in Week 9. But hopefully, Zimmer has a different plan in store for Rhodes against the Chiefs.