Minnesota Vikings Week 4: Top 3 takeaways vs. the Detroit Lions

U.S Sack Stadium

Minnesota’s defensive line had been strangely quiet on the sack front through the first three games of the season but that changed with a huge performance in Week 4. Mike Zimmer had been unnaturally conservative on the blitz front so far, but against the Lions he decided to unleash the dogs and boy where they hungry.

After only taking down Matthew Stafford three times over two games last season, the Vikings exploded for five sacks on Sunday, with four being credited to three of the linemen.

Danielle Hunter ended his barren start to the season by pacing the Vikings in sacks, recording his first two of the season, including leaping on Stafford during the first play of the game.

Linval Joseph also logged his first sack of the year to go along with a remarkable nine tackles and after his comments earlier in the week there was no way Everson Griffen was lining up across from Greg Robinson and not getting to the quarterback.

The Lions brought in highly rated T.J Lang and Ricky Wagner to improve their offensive line in the offseason, but the additions appeared to be for not as the NFL’s most expensive quarterback was under constant pressure for the duration of the game.

We’ve already mentioned the four sacks provided by the defensive line, but they landed a hit on Stafford a further seven times. Sure Stafford’s bruises will be eased by the fact they won the game, but Pro Football Focus has summed up how the waves of Vikings pressure affected his performance.

"“Pressure got to Stafford as well, as he was pressured on 35.1 percent of his dropbacks, completing just 2-of-7 passes for 18 yards and a 39.6 passer rating under duress.”"

It wasn’t just against the pass that the big fellas made their presence felt, as they were equally impressive against the run. Ameer Abdullah may have squirmed free for a couple of nice runs, making the run defense looking uncharacteristically vulnerable, but the Vikings were still able to drag opposing runners down behind the line of scrimmage nine times.

The defensive line ate up blockers, making five tackles for a loss themselves and paving the way for the remainder of the defense to accumulate the rest.

With a depleted offense the Vikings may have to rely on their defense to turn in dominating performances on a regular basis. After Sunday’s outing there is no question that starts up front.