Minnesota Vikings defense looks like it is heading in the right direction
The Minnesota Vikings defense looked better and showed signs of improvement during the team’s Week 5 over the Detroit Lions.
Week 5’s matchup against the Detroit Lions was a must-win game for the Minnesota Vikings. Even though it is still very early in the season, the Vikings knew that they could not fall any further behind if they still had any aspirations of making it into the playoffs this year. Minnesota’s defense has been serviceable so far this season, giving up a lot of yards, but not many scores, over the last few games.
During this game against the Lions, the Vikings weren’t going against the most explosive unit in the league, but they still needed to be alert throughout the game. Detroit hasn’t had the most potent offense this season, but they have given opponents a lot to worry about so the “it’s only the Lions” way of thinking wasn’t going to cut it.
Over the first five games of the season, Minnesota’s passing defense hasn’t been much of an issue with opponents averaging just under 240 yards per game through the air. The real issue has been stopping the run.
Opposing teams have been able to run up and down at will against the Vikings throughout the season. In Week 5, this did improve as the Lions rushed for just 108 yards, an improvement from the 136 yards per game teams averaged against Minnesota during the first four weeks.
Can the Minnesota Vikings sustain their recent success on defense?
Apart from the odd chunk plays, and cornerback Bashaud Breeland trying his best to make the Vikings regret signing him, Minnesota has remained solid when defending the pass. This should improve even further as the season progresses.
Veteran free-agent signing Patrick Peterson has been quietly having a brilliant season for the Vikings. Peterson has not been targeted much this year, but when he has, he has answered the call.
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Minnesota’s defense should continue to improve and the newly constructed defensive line should eventually be able to figure out their gap responsibilities and start stopping the run. Week 5 was a good start, but this type of performance from the defense will need to continue if the Vikings want any form of success in 2021.