Brian Flores has found a steady home with Minnesota, unleashing a flexible, high-pressure defense that another coach would label mad genius. Through three games, the unit sits among the leaders in key metrics while Flores’ blend of blitzes, zone schemes, and personnel tinkering fuels weekly turnover potential.

Ahead of the Dublin clash with Pittsburgh, Flores’ influence shows in smart free-agent bets (Rodgers, Greenard, Van Ginkel, Cashman, Murphy) and a defense that has produced five turnovers in the win over Cincinnati. Fantasy angles point to Vikings defenders driving value as the scheme tightens.

Blake Cashman’s hamstring injury lands Minnesota on IR, forcing Eric Wilson into a bigger role with green-dot duties as the Vikings lean on leadership from the middle of the defense. Cashman targets an Oct. 19 return against Philadelphia, giving Wilson a four-game window to establish himself as the defensive signal-caller.

Ty Chandler’s knee injury sends him to IR for at least four games, with the Week 6 bye potentially stretching the absence. Special-teams tweaks put Zavier Scott, Tai Felton and Isaiah Rodgers in the mix as returners, while the Vikings promote Tim Jones and Nick Vannett to the active roster and monitor Oliver’s ankle and other practice-squad moves.

Vikings open the season with a win but face notable injuries. Blake Cashman will miss time with a hamstring, Ty Chandler is banged up but played through the knee issue, and Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah are in concussion protocol. Harrison Smith returned but described his conditioning as the focal point of a quick bounce back, with team friends noting the plan remains fluid. Elijah Williams and Zavier Scott are stepping back into practice as Minnesota eyes a quiet home opener against Atlanta.

Offensively, J.J. McCarthy earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week after a 27-24 comeback, underscoring the unit’s potential as the Falcons visit Minnesota in primetime. The schedule stays challenging with a short week and a travel slate before a TNF showdown with the Chargers.

Christian Darrisaw sat out the Bears game after testing his surgically repaired knee in warmups, nudging Justin Skule into starting duty. J.J. McCarthy delivered late heroics despite uneven protection, while Blake Cashman exited with a hamstring issue and Eric Wilson stepped in to direct the defense. Jeff Okudah’s concussion evaluation and Harrison Smith’s illness added to Vikings’ injury drama, with Bears’ Caleb Williams and Nahshon Wright contributing big plays as Minnesota honored shooting victims at the pregame.