NFL teams
Ben Goessling, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

The Film Don't Lie: Vikings

A weekly look at what the Minnesota Vikings must fix:

When they face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon, the Vikings will line up against a team that hasn't had much success getting to the quarterback this season. That's a welcome development for the Vikings, who probably don't need any more challenges in their attempt to protect rookie Teddy Bridgewater.

According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Vikings quarterbacks have been pressured on one-third of their dropbacks this season. That's tied for the fourth-worst rate in the NFL, and it's creating problems for an offense that's already trying to get by without Adrian Peterson and will soon be playing without tight end Kyle Rudolph.

The Falcons have recorded only three sacks this season, and have been among the league's worst teams at getting to the quarterback; their pressure rate of 19.4 percent is the sixth-worst in the NFL. But the Vikings have to figure out what's affecting left tackle Matt Kalil, or leave a tight end or running back in to help him. Their quarterbacks have been blitzed on 40 percent of their dropbacks, so they might find themselves in fewer situations in which they can send numerous players on receiving routes, at least for now. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner's best teams have been able to keep the quarterback upright, and while Bridgewater's fleet feet helped him avoid a sack last week, the Vikings' passing game likely won't come alive without a cleaner pocket.

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