Ivan Pace Jr. Dazzles in Career Day as Vikings' Defense Delivers Again
The Vikings' defense just continues to amaze.
On a day where their offense could only manage a single field goal, all Brian Flores' ultra-consistent unit did was pitch the franchise's second shutout in the last 30 years. Led by a career game from sensational rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., the Vikings' D forced eight punts and secured three takeaways in a 3-0 road win over the Raiders.
Since 2008, teams had been 0-255 when scoring three points or fewer in an NFL game. The Vikings just snapped that streak. The last time a team won with only a field goal was back in December 2007, when the Steelers beat the Dolphins in a Monday night game that was played in extremely muddy conditions.
"This f***ing defense is a championship defense," head coach Kevin O'Connell said in his postgame locker room speech.
Pace was the MVP of Sunday's grotesque victory. The undrafted rookie out of Cincinnati got off to a strong start to this season, but he's had to take on more significant responsibilities since veteran Jordan Hicks landed on injured reserve almost a month ago. Pace has filled in seamlessly for Hicks, taking on his every-down role and green dot duties without missing a beat. This was his best performance yet.
At the end of the first quarter, Pace had already racked up seven tackles. He finished with a team-high 13, including a sack on the final play of the first half. And to cap off his breakout day, he dropped into coverage and made the game-sealing interception one play after the Vikings had finally taken the lead. Pace knew what was coming, made the play for his first career pick, and then celebrated by backflipping in the end zone.
"Coach Flo put us in the right defense," Pace said. "They said (Davante) Adams gon' get the ball, and I had to take it away from him."
Despite stuffing the stat sheet to a ridiculous degree in his college career, seven rounds came and went during April's draft without Pace's name being called. His 5'10" height undoubtedly played the biggest role in that. Flores, O'Connell, and the Vikings were thrilled to land him as an undrafted free agent, believing his skill set fit what they wanted their defense to become.
As early as training camp, it was apparent to everyone watching that Pace was no ordinary UDFA. He possesses big-time instincts and is always flying to the football to make plays. Pace made a splash with the Vikings right away in September, but saw his snaps dip a bit from Weeks 6-9 as the team leaned on Hicks. Then Hicks went down, thrusting Pace into a critical role playing every snap and relaying the calls from Flores to his teammates. He has 31 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in the three games since then.
"One of the things that jumps out at you is just the communication, because I'm able to hear Flo and the dialogue he has with IP," O'Connell said. "And I'm able to then watch IP's dialogue with the huddle. He has great command. He's answered the bell and filled in a huge role, especially in our defense, where there's so much personnel variation. Flo can sometimes decide to make tweaks and adjustments to try to stay out in front of things, and IP handles it really well. Just looking forward to what's out in front of IP, because as an undrafted free agent, he's doing a heck of a job for our team right now."
Ivan Pace Jr. had 13 tackles, a sack, and the game-winning INT on Sunday.
After the game, Pace was asked if he's surprised himself at all this year.
"No," he said. "I got that dog in me, man. I ain't never been surprised. I know how good I am. ... I don't know if any of y'all saw it, but I said 'Y'all done f—ed up" when they ain't draft me. And I'm showing 'em. I know I had that dog in me. It's always been there."
"He's crazy," Cam Bynum said, smiling. "He has a screw loose. We got a steal out of him and we're proud of him."
It wasn't just Pace who showed up for the Vikings' defense in Vegas. Josh Metellus, who is having an incredible season as Flores' Swiss Army knife, recorded his fourth forced fumble of the season — and rookie Mekhi Blackmon was there for the recovery. D.J. Wonnum, Troy Dye, and Harrison Phillips had sacks. Danielle Hunter was super impactful, as always. Bynum, Harrison Smith, Akayleb Evans, and Byron Murphy Jr. held it down in the secondary. Up and down the lineup, everyone contributed as the Vikings held Aidan O'Connell and the Raiders to 202 total yards and a 3-for-14 mark on third downs.
Ever since the Vikings lost to the Chiefs back in Week 5, Flores' defense has been on a rampage. They're up to fifth in the league in opponent EPA per play after Sunday's games. Dating back to the Saints game in Week 10, they've allowed just one touchdown and forced six takeaways in 33 series (excluding short end-of-half drives).
O'Connell announced in the locker room that he was giving every single defensive player and coach a game ball. They deserved it. The defense has been the rock of this Vikings team for two months now and is the main reason why they have a chance in every single game they play.
Flores, Pace, and everyone else on that side of the ball: Take a bow. You've done it again.
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