How The Vikings D Stacks Up Against Some Recent Best Defenses

This defense reminds very much of the '15 Denver D.  Not exactly dominating, but very well coached forcing offenses to earn every yard gained.  If our offense can take off down the stretch, the D will be there with them doing their jobs as well.

Its our time. This defense is ready. You have Rhodes shutting down half the field and Smith doing his thing helping out with the other half. This defense is so well coached with Zimmer and most of all, they believe in the system and what they are supposed to do.
We are not a flashy defense. We are fundamentally sound with great coaching. This is our year.

It's a really strange defense. Different from any of the great defenses we've had in the past. Not stifling. Not dominant like the Viking defenses of the People Eater years or the Millard Doleman years. They don't get a lot of big plays or turnovers either. In fact, they will give up a big play or two. But it's a super smart and adjusting defense. It's almost as if they're baiting teams into thinking they can do something...

I've told my son that it's a "velociraptor" defense because it reminds me of that scene in Jurassic Park where the dude is talking about how smart the velociraptors are...

"They show extreme intelligence, even problem-solving intelligence. Especially the big one...That one, when she looks at you, you can see she's working things out. That's why we have to feed them like this. She had them all attacking the fences when the feeders came.But the fences are electrified though, right?
That's right, but they never attack the same place twice. They were testing the fences for weaknesses, systematically. They remember."

I said in a previous thread that the D is like a constrictor...kinda sneak up on ya...and before you know it you can't breathe...seems like Zim is playing 3D chess and everyone else is playing checkers...

I would be curious to see how the Vikings 3rd down defense compares with these other defenses...  this year's team is fairly average at generating turnovers, but only allowing opposing offenses to convert 3rd downs 26% of the time is unheard of...  I think that should definitely factor in to how dominant this defense is historically.

3RD DOWNS AND BIG PLAYS...opps...I think we are at least on par there...

@"MaroonBells" said: It's a really strange defense. Different from any of the great defenses we've had in the past. Not stifling. Not dominant like the Viking defenses of the People Eater years or the Millard Doleman years. They don't get a lot of big plays or turnovers either. In fact, they will give up a big play or two. But it's a super smart and adjusting defense. It's almost as if they're baiting teams into thinking they can do something...

I've told my son that it's a "velociraptor" defense because it reminds me of that scene in Jurassic Park where the dude is talking about how smart the velociraptors are...

"They show extreme intelligence, even problem-solving intelligence. Especially the big one...That one, when she looks at you, you can see she's working things out. That's why we have to feed them like this. She had them all attacking the fences when the feeders came.But the fences are electrified though, right?
That's right, but they never attack the same place twice. They were testing the fences for weaknesses, systematically. They remember."

Thinking about the good QBs and good offenses our D faced.  I think stifling would be a fitting adjective. 

i would like to see how these defenses stack up with some sort of scale for opponents W/L records or some other way of quantifying their success over time.

Not allowing many points.

@"JimmyinSD" said: i would like to see how these defenses stack up with some sort of scale for opponents W/L records or some other way of quantifying their success over time.

I agree. I would like to know their strength of schedule to see just how dominating they were.

@"Canthony" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: i would like to see how these defenses stack up with some sort of scale for opponents W/L records or some other way of quantifying their success over time.

I agree. I would like to know their strength of schedule to see just how dominating they were.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Canthony" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: i would like to see how these defenses stack up with some sort of scale for opponents W/L records or some other way of quantifying their success over time.

I agree. I would like to know their strength of schedule to see just how dominating they were.

its like when my boss fawns over the patriots record every year I remind him that in the division they are basically spotted 4-6 wins every year.  they are a good team,  but playing the bills jets and phins twice a year has been a bit of a gift the last 15 years,  sure they have their moments in the sun,  but typically they are all towards the tops of the draft.

It is interesting seeing how few turnovers the defense has forced. In general, Zimmer seems to favor having his players maintain position rather than gamble to make big plays. They have been getting more picks over the past few games and I'd expect 1 or 2 against Chicago, but they haven't forced a lot of fumbles this year. Not sure if that is a consequence of playing against a lot of mobile and quick release QBs, making it difficult to get strip sacks, or what is causing that decrease. They do seem to be trying to strip the ball, so maybe it is random variance. It also feels like the pass rush started off strong in terms of sacks, but they have been harder to come by as the season went on, but that feels like matchups. For instance, GB is a game they should have been able to put up 5 or 6 sacks, but their QB was mobile enough to turn those into throw aways. That being said despite not having huge turnover numbers and the sacks drying up, the defense has been dominant and has been shutting teams down on 3rd downs. It would be nice to have the splash plays, but the results are still there in the end. Just a very well-coached and disciplined defense.

@"Tyr" said: It is interesting seeing how few turnovers the defense has forced. In general, Zimmer seems to favor having his players maintain position rather than gamble to make big plays. They have been getting more picks over the past few games and I'd expect 1 or 2 against Chicago, but they haven't forced a lot of fumbles this year. Not sure if that is a consequence of playing against a lot of mobile and quick release QBs, making it difficult to get strip sacks, or what is causing that decrease. They do seem to be trying to strip the ball, so maybe it is random variance. It also feels like the pass rush started off strong in terms of sacks, but they have been harder to come by as the season went on, but that feels like matchups. For instance, GB is a game they should have been able to put up 5 or 6 sacks, but their QB was mobile enough to turn those into throw aways. That being said despite not having huge turnover numbers and the sacks drying up, the defense has been dominant and has been shutting teams down on 3rd downs. It would be nice to have the splash plays, but the results are still there in the end. Just a very well-coached and disciplined defense.

Also, as to sacks and turnovers, the offenses change their game plan to avoid risking these plays.  Short drops, quick safe passes, not taking shots down the field.  We have seen NO, Atlanta, Detroit, Rams... all shorten their offense when facing us.  Sacks are fun, but if the defense brings such fear that an offense goes away from its identity to avoid them, well that is a bigger win.  In GB, the field was trash, so our D-line chose to bull rush and not make a mistake which could lead to a big play. 

Splash plays are exciting but often involve risk.  Doing your job, stopping the offense and getting off the field isn't as splashy, but man we are good at it. 

@"greediron" said:

@"Tyr" said: It is interesting seeing how few turnovers the defense has forced. In general, Zimmer seems to favor having his players maintain position rather than gamble to make big plays. They have been getting more picks over the past few games and I'd expect 1 or 2 against Chicago, but they haven't forced a lot of fumbles this year. Not sure if that is a consequence of playing against a lot of mobile and quick release QBs, making it difficult to get strip sacks, or what is causing that decrease. They do seem to be trying to strip the ball, so maybe it is random variance. It also feels like the pass rush started off strong in terms of sacks, but they have been harder to come by as the season went on, but that feels like matchups. For instance, GB is a game they should have been able to put up 5 or 6 sacks, but their QB was mobile enough to turn those into throw aways. That being said despite not having huge turnover numbers and the sacks drying up, the defense has been dominant and has been shutting teams down on 3rd downs. It would be nice to have the splash plays, but the results are still there in the end. Just a very well-coached and disciplined defense.

A couple of thoughts on the low number of turnovers.  When a defense forces so many 3 and outs, the opposing offenses don't have the ball as long, with fewer chances to turn it over.  The 3rd down success is basically a turnover in many cases. 

Also, as to sacks and turnovers, the offenses change their game plan to avoid risking these plays.  Short drops, quick safe passes, not taking shots down the field.  We have seen NO, Atlanta, Detroit, Rams... all shorten their offense when facing us.  Sacks are fun, but if the defense brings such fear that an offense goes away from its identity to avoid them, well that is a bigger win.  In GB, the field was trash, so our D-line chose to bull rush and not make a mistake which could lead to a big play. 

Splash plays are exciting but often involve risk.  Doing your job, stopping the offense and getting off the field isn't as splashy, but man we are good at it. 

Had to find this post after the win today.  Given this is a passing league, outside of turnovers (attributed mostly due to our 3rd % stat), I'd say we are totally on par with the others in this list.

Perhaps I'm drinking the too much of the koolaid, but haven't most of our turnovers come on drives where our defense was on the field much longer than normal?? hmm

Either way...love our D! love our Coach!  SKOL Vikes!

Just solid, fundamentally sound D....Watching the DB's yesterday is how you need to play D in this new era NFL.

Fundamentally sound + scheme +  great athletes =  playoff nightmare. 

That goal line stand was amazing

After Hunter jumped and it was first and goal on the nothing line, the team could have easily let up during this meaningless contest.
Instead we saw Pride 

There was a game earlier in the year, or maybe last season where the opposig coach said something like “they (the Vikings’ D) really excel when you hold onto the ball for more than 2.8 seconds, so we won’t do that”. And they didn’t... their whole gameplan was to throw the ball immediately on nealy every play and the Vikings throttled them.

Put simply, this is a defense people fear. Look at all the drops by receivers playing against the Vikings that are usually sure-handed. Fear. Look at Mr. Biscuit throwing the ball backwards while taking a sack. Fear. 

I think a lot drop balls r on crossing  routes   those receivers  know we have  2 safety  that  will knock the  crap out of them