Minnesota Vikings defensive MVP vs. Rams in Week 4

In a football game between the Vikings and the Rams that will in no way be remembered for its defensive efforts, the Minnesota Vikings had a few bright spots amidst a lot of tarnish. Here are our defensive MVPs.

When a defense gives up 556 total yards and it’s opposing quarterback ends the game with 5 touchdowns, no interceptions and a perfect QB rating, giving credit to individuals of a unit is tough.

But here goes.

Defensive MVP against Rams

Danielle Hunter, Defensive End

In a contest where fellow defensive end Everson Griffen was sorely missed, Hunter left it all on the field. Against what is most likely a future Hall-of-Fame left tackle Andrew Whitworth, Hunter came up with a sack and several crucial tackles to keep the Vikings in a one-possession game at the end.

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is now depending on Hunter to be the primary force on the Minnesota defensive line in creating pressure on the opponent’s QB. In the last two games, it has not proven effective, but it is certainly not because of Hunter’s efforts, which have been remarkable.

Honorable Mention

Mike Hughes, Cornerback

Both Viking starting and slot cornerbacks were beaten consistently, but the rookie Hughes played fairly well in totaling eight solo tackles and keeping his head on the defensive assignments he seemed to forget last week against Buffalo. Hughes also showed fans that he doesn’t mind tackling opponents with his body while other Vikings have shown a preference to chop ball-carriers, which often exposes an escape route.

In a game that exposed Minnesota Vikings corner Trae Waynes as a guy who is often missing-in-action on big plays, Hughes may be asked to do even more in the Minnesota secondary in coming weeks.