While the Vikings Offense Was Astray, an Unlikely Hero Saved the Day
Brett Peterson
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The Vikings scrapped their way to a 3-0 victory yesterday afternoon, beating the Las Vegas Raiders with a field goal from Greg Joseph in the final two minutes of the contest.
The defenses traded punches all game, although both offenses didn’t do themselves any favors. There was a combined 17 punts in the game, and just over 430 yards of total offense between the two teams. It was not a pretty football game, unless you’re a fan of defensive showdowns. With the offenses struggling on both sides, though, it ended up being an unlikely hero that saved the day for the Vikings.
An Unlikely Hero Saved the Day
The Vikings defense has been terrific all year and especially in the last month or so, allowing just over 11 points per game the last three weeks. Brian Flores has this defense humming.
The Vikings sacked Aidan O’Connell four times and also picked him off once on the day. A big reason the Vikings were able to completely shut down Las Vegas’ offense, was the play of a certain undrafted rookie out of Cincinnati.
Ivan Pace Jr. played his best game of his young career and he absolutely stuffed the stat sheet in more ways than one.
Pace had 13 total tackles, one sack, and an interception that essentially sealed the game for Minnesota. He was a terror in the run game, and even though scouts didn’t love his pass coverage skills coming into the draft, he has held his own covering down field as well. The former Bearcat does it all for Brian Flores’ defense, and it’s only his 13th career NFL game.
Pace plays with an unusual speed at the linebacker position. He has the ability to absolutely shoot through gaps when he is sent on a blitz, and it was put on display yesterday when he sacked Aidan O’Connell just before halftime.
It’s a breath of fresh air seeing speed out of the linebacker position, as the Vikings have struggled in that regard the previous few seasons, as Eric Kendricks lost a step last year, and Jordan Hicks isn’t the most elusive defender either, although he has had a terrific 2023 before his injury vs Chicago.
It’s an amazing fact that Ivan Pace Jr. was undrafted this past spring, but to Pace it’s no surprise to see him make an immediate impact as a defender in Flores’ scheme. “I got that dog in me man, that’s all I have to say. I haven’t ever been surprised. I know how good I am,” Pace Jr. said postgame. “I’ve been showing the world since I was young that I was good. Now I’m here in the league and still proving it.”
Pace was a projected fifth-round pick but fell due to concerns with his size. Luckily, this really hasn’t effected his game all that much so far in the NFL. If Pace can keep up this “pace” of play for the foreseeable future, the Vikings not only have a starter on their hands, but a potential star in the making.
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