The Viking Age
FanSided

5 bold predictions for the rest of the Vikings’ 2019 season

By Chris Schad

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 17: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings on the field before the game against the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 17: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings on the field before the game against the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) Xavier Rhodes
(Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) Xavier Rhodes /

Zimmer will fix his pass defense

In the opening month of the 2018 season, the Vikings defense appeared to be on the verge of a total meltdown. In their first four games, Minnesota was destroyed by opponents through the air, allowing 277.5 passing yards per game. The coup de gras of these struggles were highlighted by a nationally televised audience when Jared Goff lit up the Vikings for 465 yards and five touchdowns.

After that game, head coach Mike Zimmer went to work finding what went wrong with his defense against the pass. Even though the changes didn’t result in a playoff berth, Minnesota played much better the rest of the way allowing 169.1 passing yards per game and even finishing the season third against the pass.

Fast forward to this season and the Vikings secondary has had many of the same issues. As a team, Minnesota ranks 20th against the pass and have allowed 278 passing yards over the past six games. Some of these problems can be attributed to the decline of Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes, but others can be attributed to Mackensie Alexander rounding back into form after a dislocated elbow and the continued acclimation period of Mike Hughes.

With a bye week to fully dive into his secondary, Zimmer should be able to see something that can make the Vikings’ pass defense formidable again. With matchups against Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers on the horizon, he’ll have to figure something out if he wants to return to the playoffs.

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