How Andrew Van Ginkel Knew What Was Coming on Pick-6

The defining play of the Vikings’ 28-6 embarrassment of the Giants on Sunday was Andrew Van Ginkel’s pick-6 on a screen pass. He said after the game that he basically knew it was coming:

“I saw what set they were and he just threw it to me... I knew he had to throw it quick and he just threw it right to me.”

The formation may have given the play away. However, the pick-6 was a result of defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ pressure schemes that are designed to get free rushers home and force quick, predictable throws. These pressure schemes are particularly effective against empty formations and 5-man protections.

The basic premise is that the Vikings will align with 6 potential pass rushers on the line of scrimmage, one more than the protection can handle.

Sometimes, all 6 defenders will blitz. Sometimes, a couple will drop out. Sometimes, they’ll read the slide of the offensive line post snap and defenders to the side of the slide will drop out. This still leads to free rushers in on the quarterback, even with a 4 or 5-man rush.

Any team that plays a Flores defense has to be prepared for these pressure looks. And on the previous drive, the Giants got burned by one of them:

Notice how the Vikings ultimately rushed just 4 there and still got a free rusher home.

Fast forward to the pick-6 on New York’s next drive. The Giants came out in an empty formation and the Vikings matched up with 6 men on the line of scrimmage pre-snap: