3 Top Takeaways: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions – Week 9
By Adam Patrick
Defense still dictates the Vikings’ success in 2018
Mike Zimmer was hired in 2014 to turnaround a Minnesota defense that was arguably the worst in the NFL. Zimmer has kept his promise as each and every season the Vikings’ defense continues to get better and better.
After a bit of a rough start to 2018, Minnesota’s head coach went back to the drawing board and his defense has been back to playing like one of the league’s top units. The Vikings getting a team-record 10 sacks on Sunday against the Lions was just the cherry on top to a string of games in which the defense has been dominant.
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Since Week 5, Minnesota’s opponents are averaging 18.8 points, 198 passing yards, 76.8 rushing yards, and two turnovers per game. Unsurprisingly the Vikings are also 4-1 during this specific stretch of matchups as well.
Even though Minnesota went out and spent a ton of money on Kirk Cousins this offseason and their passing offense is among the NFL’s best in 2018, the team’s success is still going to rely on the play of their defense. And if the Vikings’ defenders continue to play like they have since Week 5, then success shouldn’t be a problem for the team to achieve during the remainder of the year.