To make a Super Bowl run, the Vikings' elite defense needs to tighten up in specific situations
The Minnesota Vikings are 5-0 heading into the bye week and the defense might be the best unit they have had since the days of the Purple People Eaters. Brian Flores' unit has thrived in attacking opposing offenses with consistency and confusion. Just when you think you've figured out what the Vikings want to do […]
The Minnesota Vikings are 5-0 heading into the bye week and the defense might be the best unit they have had since the days of the Purple People Eaters.
Brian Flores' unit has thrived in attacking opposing offenses with consistency and confusion. Just when you think you've figured out what the Vikings want to do on defense, they throw something else at you to keep you on your toes. It's how the Vikings intercepted New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers three times in their week five victory.
Is the defense sustainable? It certainly feels that way when you look at the process they have used, but they need to clean up some details to make that run to the Super Bowl.
Keep penalties down
The Vikings are one of the more penalized teams in the National Football League, according to nflpenalties.com. The Vikings are ninth in the NFL after Thursday Night Football with 43 flags thrown on them. and 37 accepted. Of those, only eight of them were on the defense.
That's a staggeringly low number for the Vikings defense. They have had:
- 3 pass interference
- 2 illegal use of hands
- 2 offsides
- 1 roughing the passer
The Vikings haven't had a single illegal contact or defensive holding called against them this season, which says they are playing disciplined football. If they keep that up, it will be a massive thing for them.
Improve in the red zone
The Vikings have done relatively well in situational football. They are fifth in third down percentage at 31.0% and 6th in fourth down conversion percentage. The one area where they struggle is red zone efficiency.
The Vikings rank 15th in the NFL red zone efficiency, allowing nine touchdowns on 17 trips, which ranks 22nd. The Vikings are 4th in points allowed per game so far so there could be some regression coming. However, with the field shrinking in the red zone, it could go the other way and be positive for the Vikings.
Get veterans more rest during games
The Vikings defense is as good as it is because they have so many smart players on all three levels. It also means they have a lot of veterans on the field, some of which are on the other side of 30. Rest isn't a factor now, but it could end up being a factor down the line.
Currently, safety Harrison Smith is second on the team in snaps with 332, one behind safety Josh Metellus and cornerback Stephon Gilmore is sixth with 305. Getting those two rest should be a priority. It doesn't have to be much rest, but take them out for a series here and there and rotate others in. Theo Jackson has earned playing time and he has gotten just 19 snaps this season. If the Vikings want to stay fresh for a potential Super Bowl run, that should be a priority.
The Vikings offense need to fix these things after the bye if they want to make a Super Bowl run
If the Vikings want to make a Super Bowl run, they will need to improve on offense
