The Viking Age
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Vikings midseason review: Defense leading the way in 2017

By Adam Patrick

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Anthony Barr #55, Andrew Sendejo #34, and Eric Kendricks #54 of the Minnesota Vikings join their teammates in linking arms before the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Anthony Barr #55, Andrew Sendejo #34, and Eric Kendricks #54 of the Minnesota Vikings join their teammates in linking arms before the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Halfway through the 2017 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings are 6-2 and their ferocious defense is a gigantic reason why.

Ever since Mike Zimmer was hired to be the head coach back in 2014, the Minnesota Vikings’ have put a majority of their time in building an elite defense. In each of Zimmer’s first three years with the team, the Vikings’ defense has ranked near the top of the NFL.

But this season seems different. The 2017 version of Minnesota’s defense is at the very top of the league.

Through eight games, the Vikings’ defense is among the NFL’s best in points allowed per game (third), total yards allowed per game (third), passing yards allowed per game (seventh), rushing yards allowed per game (third), total touchdowns allowed (second), and sacks (sixth). When the unit was referred to as, “Super Bowl-worthy,” a couple of weeks ago by NFL Media’s Marc Sessler, he knew exactly what he was talking about.

So halfway into the 2017 season, how has each individual position group on Minnesota’s defense played a part in the team’s overall success?

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