Are we getting close to elite territory with this defense?
Green Bay torched the defense for a half, but the last 5 halves are close to the best defensive performances I have seen in my lifetime. Granted you have the scheme, but you have 1 elite pass rusher in Turner followed by a plethora of other options. The linebackers are extremely effective if not flashy with a rejuvenated Pace, Wilson, Cashman and now Van Noy. The DL other than Van Ginkel is incredible young and talented. Turner, Williams, Rodriguez, Redmond, Orange, Banks and TID are starting to dominate games and win either with pass rush or stopping the run which has been the one weakness of FLO's defenses in the past. You have the beef up front that by the end of the season the rotation of the D-line and linebackers is going to be overwhelming most teams. The D back is solid enough.
I don't think we need to crown them or give them any kind of label, just appreciate what they're doing. And doing with a variety of players...and getting no help from the offense in terms of TOP.
One week it's DT, then it's Rodgers, then it's Wilson. And oh yeah, there's also Cashman, AVG, Redmond, etc. This is a damn good defense.
Is it perfect? Is anything? Even the '85 Bears could be beaten if your QB could get the ball out fast enough. The 2000 Ravens were not a great pass rushing team. They had 35 sacks that season. Vikings are on pace for 79.
"The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth." —Garry Kasparov
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
The highest-graded NFL cornerbacks heading into Week 4, per PFN's CB Impact metric: 🔒 Trent McDuffie, LAR - 100.0 🔒 Hezekiah Masses, LV - 99.0 🔒 Christian Gonzalez, NE - 88.5 🔒 Isaiah Rodgers, MIN - 86.3 🔒 Dax Hill, CIN - 86.1 🔒 Nehemiah Pritchett, SEA - 84.8 🔒 Kristian Fulton, KC - 84.3 🔒 Amik Robertson, WAS - 83.2 🔒 James Pierre, MIN - 83.1 🔒 Jarrian Jones, JAX - 82.1
— Pro Football Network @PFN365 Oct 1, 2026
The highest-graded NFL cornerbacks heading into Week 4, per PFN's CB Impact metric: 🔒 Trent McDuffie, LAR - 100.0 🔒 Hezekiah Masses, LV - 99.0 🔒 Christian Gonzalez, NE - 88.5 🔒 Isaiah Rodgers, MIN - 86.3 🔒 Dax Hill, CIN - 86.1 🔒 Nehemiah Pritchett, SEA - 84.8 🔒 Kristian Fulton, KC - 84.3 🔒 Amik Robertson, WAS - 83.2 🔒 James Pierre, MIN - 83.1 🔒 Jarrian Jones, JAX - 82.1
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
Best thing about them, is their ability to adjust on the fly. GB had some open plays early, but they disappeared. TB found the seam passes early, but that was closed after the 1st or 2nd drive.
Different guys stepping up each week as MB mentioned. Watching DT drop into coverage this last week shows they are unselfish and willing to play the system. And good at it.
One thing I need to see, is how they deal with a good run game. Maybe when we face ATL. That is the way to beat Flores, but I think Banks and LDR and Big O are here to stop that better than last year.
Best passer rating allowed through Week 3 (min. 20 targets): Quentin Lake, LAR: 45.1 Keisean Nixon, GB: 65.5 Daxton Hill, CIN: 66.9
— Gridiron Stats and Info @GridironInfo_ Oct 1, 2026
Best passer rating allowed through Week 3 (min. 20 targets): Quentin Lake, LAR: 45.1 Keisean Nixon, GB: 65.5 Daxton Hill, CIN: 66.9
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
Pct of defensive drives causing a turnover this season Raiders 25.7% Jaguars 21.4% Chargers 17.1% Vikings 16.2% Chiefs 16.1% Bears 16.1%
— PFF @PFF Oct 1, 2026
Pct of defensive drives causing a turnover this season Raiders 25.7% Jaguars 21.4% Chargers 17.1% Vikings 16.2% Chiefs 16.1% Bears 16.1%
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
Defensive Success Rates allowed per Down through Week 3
— SFdata9ers🏈📊 @sfdata9ers Oct 2, 2026
Defensive Success Rates allowed per Down through Week 3
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
The defense has been absolutely elite this year! It's awesome!! But even an elite unit will gas out and injuries will mount if the offense can't start staying on the field longer. I know how braindead trading for a QB in-season is. It never works. But I also know how braindead it would be to not do everything we possibly can to maximize a season in which we do have an elite defense. It does not come around often. Gonna be interesting.
Beat the fish!
One player that doesn't get a lot of press but deserves it is LDR.
"The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth." —Garry Kasparov
Defensive Stats through Week 3 (ranked by PPG)
— SFdata9ers🏈📊 @sfdata9ers Oct 2, 2026
Defensive Stats through Week 3 (ranked by PPG)
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
NFL team tiers (based on EPA/play) via https://rbsdm.com.
— Chad Graff @ChadGraff Oct 5, 2026
NFL team tiers (based on EPA/play) via https://rbsdm.com.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
Bare witness to the birth of a Superstar.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
“I expect the Vikings to be a playoff factor because their defense doesn’t seem to slump, but they need more out of the offense to be a real NFC contender. At some point, quarterback Kyler Murray is going to have to match points with some better teams, and they’re going to… pic.twitter.com/jXgMzXGYw2
— SleeperVikings (@SleeperVikings) October 5, 2026
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
Vikings defense among the NFL 1st in points allowed: 12.8/game 1st in defensive EPA/play: about -0.21 1st in third-down defense: 22.6% 1st in red-zone TD rate: 18.2% 1st in yards/play allowed: 4.9 1st in sacks (14) 1st in QB pressures 3rd in takeaways (7) ELITE #Skol
— Phoenix @dalvincookin Oct 5, 2026
Vikings defense among the NFL 1st in points allowed: 12.8/game 1st in defensive EPA/play: about -0.21 1st in third-down defense: 22.6% 1st in red-zone TD rate: 18.2% 1st in yards/play allowed: 4.9 1st in sacks (14) 1st in QB pressures 3rd in takeaways (7) ELITE #Skol
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
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