The Minnesota Vikings improved to 3-0 this past Sunday, but they didn’t earn any style points in a 23-16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Russian judge probably wouldn’t have given a high score for Kyler Murray’s performance or Justin Jefferson tweaking an ankle in the first quarter, but the one thing that may have scored a perfect “10” is Brian Flores’s defense.
The Vikings' defense was on point again in their Week 3 win, holding Tampa Bay to 16 points and 243 yards of total offense.
Flores also dialed up consistent pressure against the Buccaneers, blitzing Baker Mayfield 71.4 percent of the time and putting him under pressure on 15 of his 42 dropbacks (35.7 percent), according to PFF.
It’s another sign that Flores has created a championship-level defense in his fourth year as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator and may show that Minnesota will go as far as he can take them this season.
Vikings defense continued its heater in Week 3
The Vikings defense has been on a heater to start the year, but the foundation was created after a 26-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on November 30, 2025.
Since then, the Vikings rank first in expected points added (EPA) per play, success rate, points per drive, total defensive EPA, and pressure rate, according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, and Minnesota hasn’t lost a game, winning eight straight, including Sunday’s victory over the Bucs.
The last five games of last season came with some questions as the Vikings faced a string of teams that were eliminated from playoff contention, on the verge of being eliminated, or resting their starters for a playoff game.
But the start to this season shows it has carried over, with players like Dallas Turner, Jalen Redmond, and Eric Wilson leading the charge.
The result has given Minnesota one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL. Entering Monday, the Vikings rank second in points allowed (41) and fourth in turnovers (6).
Their pass rush has also been playing out of its mind, leading the NFL with 14 sacks and ranking second with a 32.8 percent pressure rate.
Those numbers have helped the Vikings hold opposing passers to the league’s lowest passer rating at 67.7, and it was needed on in Week 3 as Murray and the Vikings offense spun their wheels.
Murray’s struggles were front and center in Tampa, as he completed 15-of-29 passes for 168 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Jefferson’s injury also removed a top target from the equation, and the revamped running game has leaned on 32-year-old Aaron Jones, who managed 58 yards on 17 carries while playing through a knee injury.
The Vikings offense also ranks last with 238.3 yards of total offense per game in the first three weeks, and if Jefferson isn’t returning soon, it may be on the defense to keep their hot start going.
Vikings defense can steal wins until their offense gets up to speed
So far, Flores’s defense has been up to the challenge, but the Vikings' schedule could determine how long it lasts.
While Minnesota has bottled up Jordan Love, Caleb Williams, and Baker Mayfield in the first three games, they have a smash spot at home against Malik Willis and the Miami Dolphins in Week 4.
From there, the games get tougher as they go on the road to face Tyler Shough and the New Orleans Saints in Week 5.
After a Week 6 bye, the Vikings get the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 7 before a gauntlet begins, featuring a trip to visit the Detroit Lions, a Monday Night Football matchup with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, a rematch with the Packers at Lambeau Field, and a trip to Mexico City to battle the San Francisco 49ers.
At some point, the Vikings offense will need to carry its weight. But with the way Flores’s defense is playing, it can help Minnesota continue to steal wins and bank them for when the offense presumably straightens out in the second half.
That could make some fans uneasy, but it also proves the Vikings will need Flores’s group to continue their level of dominance if they want to make sure their fast start isn’t a fluke.
Add us as a preferred source on Google