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?
Defensive Line:
This season, the Vikings’ pass-rushers are playing out of their minds. Led by defensive end Everson Griffen and defensive tackle Linval Joseph, this unit is among the absolute best of any team in the league right now.
Griffen is having an All-Pro type year so far with a sack in every game and 10 sacks total. Not only is he a candidate for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award, but the argument could easily be made for him as a league MVP as well.
Minnesota’s run defense has vastly improved from a season ago and much of that has to do with Joseph clogging up the middle of the line. The Vikings defensive tackle has been causing problems for opposing offensive lines all year long and is also on pace to set a new career high in sacks.
Danielle Hunter is doing well in his first full-season as a starter. His statistical production may be lower than it has been in past years (just three sacks so far), but that is because opposing blockers have been giving him a lot extra attention.
How well this trio of pass-rushers performs for the remainder of the year will likely have a tremendous impact on the amount of success Minnesota will achieve.
Linebackers:
After a year where it seemed like he was in the witness protection program, Anthony Barr has re-emerged as one of the best linebackers in the NFL this season.
Barr is second on the team in total tackles this year and it seems like the linebacker is always around the ball whenever he is on the field. Oh, and he may have guaranteed the Vikings winning the NFC North this season after knocking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers out for numerous weeks with a broken collarbone.
Eric Kendricks continues to be the quiet star of Minnesota’s defense. The team’s current leader in total tackles is not a real flashy player, but he certainly gets the job done and has been excellent in pass coverage this season.
The only other linebacker that has really seen the field this year has been rookie Ben Gedeon. In his limited time, Gedeon has made a few impressive plays. But he has also had plenty of moments that remind everyone that this is still his very first season in the league.
Secondary:
It could be argued that this group is the most important part of the Vikings’ success on defense this year. But the defensive line might have something to say about that and Minnesota’s defensive backs would be better off just letting them have that title for now instead of trying to pick a fight with Linval Joseph.
Like Griffen, Vikings corner Xavier Rhodes is playing at an All-Pro level this year. Opposing quarterbacks barely throw in his direction. And when they do, he makes them regret it. Just ask Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, and Davante Adams how much fun they had trying to get away from Rhodes this season.
Minnesota Vikings
On the opposite side of the field, Trae Waynes has been playing at a satisfactory level recently after struggling a bit during the beginning the season. He gets all the balls thrown his way since no opposing quarterbacks want to test Rhodes. His play has gradually improved in each game this year and if he keeps improving, it could give Minnesota quite a talented tandem of corners.
Good luck finding something negative to say about Vikings safety Harrison Smith this season, because you won’t. After two straight Pro Bowl appearances, Smith seems well on his way to another this year. Whenever the Vikings have needed a big play from their defense this season, the safety has usually been the guy to step up to the plate.
When he’s not launching himself like a human-missile all over the field, Minnesota safety Andrew Sendejo has been having himself a pretty solid year. He still gives up an occasional long pass play or misses an easy tackle here and there, but this has easily been the best Sendejo has ever performed during the first half of a season in his career with the Vikings.
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And lastly, there is Minnesota corner Terence Newman. He is not a starter anymore, but he has probably had a lot more to do with the defense’s success this year than most realize.