Ivan Pace Jr. Has Become One Of Brian Flores’ Deadliest Weapons

The Minnesota Vikings’ defense is currently one of the NFL’s best units, dominating through the first five games of the season. Flores' group is third in the NFL in points allowed, third in sacks with 26, second in turnovers forced, and third in points per game allowed.

The group got a great burst from linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. in his return from injury against the New York Jets. Pace forms a dynamic duo with Blake Cashman, who excels in pass coverage from the linebacker position. Pace is usually a part of the defense's base package that leans towards run support (in a personnel group that includes Harrison Phillips). However, the Vikings used him differently against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets’ attack.

Against the Jets, Pace played only 26 snaps. However, he blitzed on 12 of those, and his speed proved too much for the Jets. Flores has found brilliant ways to feature the strengths of his side of the roster, and using Pace as a pressure player is one more effective ploy at his disposal. Pace has proven he can be an effective linebacker when Flores uses him this way.

On the play below, you'll see Minnesota's defense align in a Bear front against New York’s one-back TE look. The Jets attempt an inside zone concept, but Pace’s speed is too much, and he shoots through to make a tackle for loss. I'm surprised that Rodgers didn't audible out of this, as this is a dead play, with no one schematically to block Pace.

You don't see dead plays too often in the NFL with the overall quality of offensive coordinators, but Pace's speed occasionally creates them.

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Below, you'll see an example of Pace using his speed in a non-blitz situation. The Jets are in a double-tight wing formation and run toss away from Pace. New York’s right tackle, John Simpson, is in a combo block with the center on Pace. Theoretically, he has a great angle; this should be a relatively easy block.

However, Pace recognizes the play, sees Simpson climb too aggressively, and takes the back door with serious speed. Andrew Van Ginkel does his job on the front side, forcing the play back towards his support. Pace makes a great play, and the Jets are limited to a three-yard gain.

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Pace also contributes on special teams, where he and C.J. Ham work together to make the play here. Pace does a great job defeating his block and getting in on the action.

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Pace isn't perfect, and a big part of why he didn't get drafted is that he doesn't have traditional NFL linebacker size. Listed at 5'10" and 231 lbs., he can't overpower NFL O-linemen, and occasionally, something like the following happens: Jets left guard Simpson pulls around on the power play run. He gets into, onto, and through Pace, who gets caught on this one.

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Pace was most effective in his return when he was blitzing. Flores has been brilliant this season in solving opposing teams’ protection schemes. Below, Pace comes off the edge with only tight end Tyler Conklin there to slow him down. However, Conklin is not fully involved in the protection and only chips Pace before releasing on his route. Pace's speed then forces Rodgers to deliver the ball before he'd like to, forcing the checkdown and getting a hit on Rodgers.

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Perhaps his biggest play of the day came when Flores brought him from space, forcing an isolation with the 6'5”, 308 lb. Alijah Vera-Tucker. Pace wisely skips the bull rush and puts a nod-dip-rip move that leaves Vera-Tucker stumbling and later apologizing to old man Rodgers.

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Minnesota’s defense has a wide arsenal of players with skills that challenge opposing offenses. Having a healthy Pace back makes this defense even more dangerous.