The Viking Age
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Pro Football Focus ranks Minnesota Vikings as top 2017 special teams unit

By Adam Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Eric Wilson #50 and Emmanuel Lamur #59 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate a tackle by teammate Marcus Sherels #35 at the end of the first half of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Eric Wilson #50 and Emmanuel Lamur #59 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate a tackle by teammate Marcus Sherels #35 at the end of the first half of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Minnesota Vikings had a great special teams unit during the 2017 NFL season and were ranked first according to Pro Football Focus analysts.

Coming into the 2017 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings were struggling to fill roles on their special teams unit after moving on from kicker Blair Walsh and punter Jeff Locke and moving into uncertain territory.

During training camp, the Vikings held a competition for both spots, with only longsnapper Kevin McDermott staying as part of the trio on kickoffs and punts. Meanwhile, Minnesota also moved on from return man Cordarrelle Patterson, making Marcus Sherels their full-time return man on punts and kickoffs.

Despite all these changes, the Vikings still shined as a unit on special teams, making only a handful of miscues during the season and postseason. This drew the attention of Pro Football Focus, who ranked Minnesota as their top unit of the 2017 season.

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Here is what they had to say about the Vikings in their article titled Final 2017 NFL Special Teams rankings:

"“A nicely-balanced group, with Ryan Quigley going an entire regular season without a touchback from the punter spot, Kai Forbath improving steadily on place kicks after a shaky start, Marcus Sherels earning the league’s best grade as a punter returner”"

But it wasn’t just the punter, kicker, and return man who were performing at a high level. The coverage team featured great play from the fullback, backup linebackers, safeties, and more!

"“a core group of C.J. Ham (14 tackles), Ben Gedeon (12 tackles), Kentrell Brothers (10 tackles), Jayron Kearse (nine tackles) and Anthony Harris (six tackles) rounding out the league’s best unit.”"

Next: Was Xavier Rhodes elite in 2017?

Congratulations to the Minnesota Vikings special teams unit on being recognized as the best in the NFL during the 2017 NFL season. Hopefully, they can get the same kind of results from the unit during 2018!

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