5 Panthers players the Vikings should be most concerned about
By Nik Edlund
Brian Burns – DE
Brian Burns isn’t a household name but he’s a damn good pass rusher and a guy who could cause a lot of damage to the Vikings’ passing game this Sunday. Burns is explosive off the ball and can close in a hurry. He’s got six sacks on the season, has forced three fumbles, and has hit the opposing quarterback 16 times. The guy is going to be a handful for the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line.
There are some things the Minnesota Vikings can do to neutralize Burns’ pass rush. They can double team him, keep a tight end on his side and chip him as often as possible, or assign CJ Ham to be Cousins’ personal protector and a last line of defense if Burns can’t be handled by the offensive tackle. The Vikings can also call for quick three-step drops, and use screens to take advantage of Burns’ aggressiveness.
The Vikings’ offensive line is coming off a down performance against the Cowboys and will be looking to bounce back with a good showing. Burns is going to a tough matchup, and if he is allowed to hit Cousins’ frequently in this game, the Vikings quarterback will be flustered and begin making poor decisions with the football.