5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Washington Commanders – Week 9
By Chris Schad
Washington will sack Cousins five times
The Commanders’ defense is hard to figure out, but one of their biggest strengths is along the defensive line. The Vikings will dodge a bullet as Chase Young is still recovering from last year’s torn ACL, but Washington has loaded up its defensive line with several former first-round picks, including Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, and Montez Sweat.
With some elite talent in the trenches, the Commanders have logged a 26 percent pressure rate – good for the fourth-highest clip in the NFL.
This is a problem for the Vikings, who rank 10th in Pro Football Focus’s offensive line rankings but still have their issues in pass protection. Ed Ingram has become the biggest issue for the Vikings, as he’s allowed 28 pressures this season, ranking first among offensive guards.
With Garrett Bradbury ranking fourth among centers with 13 pressures allowed, there’s a good chance the Commanders will get plenty of interior pressure on Cousins. That makes Cousins’ ability to deal with said pressure a huge key for the passing game on Sunday afternoon.