Analysis: What’s behind the Vikings’ shocking 5-0 start? Exceptional D, reliable special teams
Interesting to see that Turner and Wilson have the highest rate of facing double teams.
How often EDGE's are double teamed and their grade on those plays pic.twitter.com/RrtyWkX3K3
— Jrfortgang (@throwthedamball) October 14, 2026
Is it really so shocking?
"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
MURPH!@byronmurphy has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his 2-INT performance in New Orleans.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 14, 2026
📰: https://t.co/MMez61Nttp pic.twitter.com/rdaLBLKrXu
These unsung Vikings defenders deserve more credit for the team’s 5-0 start
Linebacker Blake Cashman, defensive tackle Jalen Redmond and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers should receive more acclaim for their roles in the NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense.
Communication — a phrase, a word, a hand signal — forms the foundation of the Vikings’ shapeshifting defense, which ranks No. 1 in just about every meaningful category in the NFL.
That communication flows seamlessly through a veteran defense that is among the oldest in the league. Every starter is not only experienced, but has experience working with defensive coordinator Brian Flores. The players know how to adjust calls within the play clock, getting each other aligned sometimes a second before the snap.
How the Vikings stay in sync goes back to Saturday morning coffee in the summer.
What used to be the team’s doughnut club has morphed into “Java Jams,” a weekly meeting among players in the training room led by safeties Joshua Metellus and Harrison Smith.
“We got a little sign, it’s a whole thing,” Metellus told the Minnesota Star Tribune this summer. “Shirts, signs, everything. ... It’s a way to get guys to communicate, talk throughout the season. Get away from football. … Just talk about each other. We’ll put a quote up or question up to spark a conversation and get that going."
“I think of guys like [Blake Cashman] who make those things go,” Metellus added. “Guys who show up every day, they want to be team guys. They want to spread their joy around the team.”
Cashman is at the center of the Vikings’ on- and off-field communication. He’s also among a host of Vikings defenders who deserve more national acclaim for their 5-0 start, in which the defense currently ranks No. 1 in points per game (12.8), completion percentage (53.2%), third-down conversion rate (22.2%) and red-zone touchdown rate (25%) allowed. The Saints’ 142 yards in their loss to the Vikings on Sunday were the franchise’s fewest since 2021.
If it’s agreed that Dallas Turner has understandably drawn the most attention so far, here’s some other players I’d highlight as worthy of praise.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Linebacker Blake Cashman shining in contract year
Cashman is leading the Vikings in tackles for the third straight season. He’s 30, but the pending free agent looks to be worthy of an extension.
Among the many noteworthy stats about this Vikings defense is they’ve drawn a league-high 17 offensive holding penalties, illustrating their aggressive approach. It also helps their NFL-best third-down rate because they get so many opponents in third-and-long situations.
The Saints were flagged for three offensive holding calls in the second half Sunday, including this one on a second-and-11 play.
Jalen Redmond keeping Vikings’ run defense stout
Run defense is critical to the Vikings’ desired third-and-long trap. Minnesota allows an NFL-low 3.1 yards per carry on first-and-10, according to Pro Football Reference, compared to 4.0 yards per carry overall.
Much of that comes from strong tackling and fundamentals, but also a league-high blitz rate that does not discriminate between first, second or third down.
Linebacker Eric Wilson remains perfect fit for Brian Flores
None of the Vikings’ 11 draft picks from 2017 are still with the team. But since linebacker Eric Wilson returned in 2025, they’ve still got an undrafted free agent from that year. And at age 32, Wilson continues to be a perfect fit for this attacking style.
Wilson and Cashman are tied with a team-leading 12 run stops. They’re also among the NFL’s most efficient pass rushers, according to Pro Football Focus. In fact, the Vikings have four of the league’s most efficient pass rushers, including Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel, as judged by production (sacks, hits, hurries) relative to pass rushes.
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers helping limit opposing quarterbacks
The coverage doesn’t get much attention in Minnesota, but the secondary has largely kept a lid on opposing quarterbacks since Green Bay’s Jordan Love had seven gains of at least 20 yards in Week 1.
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers has been part of that improvement. He has allowed eight catches on 20 targets, and his 40% catch rate ranks among the NFL’s best, per PFF. He also has had a deflection in four straight games, something not done by a Vikings cornerback since Cameron Dantzler in 2020.
Andrew Van Ginkel thriving in versatile defensive role
There are not many NFL edge rushers with as diverse roles as Van Ginkel, who leads all players at his position with 65 coverage snaps through Week 5.
Overall, he’s got a role that’s 39% pass rush, 35% run defense and 26% coverage.
At 31 years old, Van Ginkel is not taking snaps off, playing just as much (249 snaps, 84.4%) as the 23-year-old Turner.
Yet, despite Van Ginkel’s relatively limited opportunities to get after the quarterback, he’s still got four sacks. He’s forced 17 pressures in 94 pass rushes, per PFF, including the Vikings’ only sack in New Orleans.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
The Jedi Master
The Vikings' defense continues to create chaos for the opposing offense. pic.twitter.com/QOd6pXALpn
— PFT Live (@PFT_Live) October 14, 2026
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