The Minnesota Vikings are playing better defense than any team in the NFL. While their offense has been searching for answers through the first five games, the defense has allowed fewer points than any team in the league.
The defense has carried the team to an undefeated 5-0 record, and that unit has gotten quite a bit of help from the special teams. Will Reichard has given the Vikings perfection with the kicking game.
Truths about defense and special teams have lifted the Vikings
When it comes to the Vikings season, the truths are that they have the best defense and best special teams in the league.
While the Vikings do not have the one dominant star that many of the top defenses have, they do have an outstanding edge rusher in Dallas Turner, who leads the Vikings with 5.5 sacks. In addition to his sack total, Turner has been living in the opponents’ backfield. He also has 14 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles.
He gets plenty of support from leading tackler LB Blake Cashman, S Josh Metellus and LB Eric Wilson. Cashman leads the team with 42 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1 fumble recovery. Metellus, one of defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ key operatives on the field, has 30 tackles and 3 passes defensed. The hard-hitting Wilson has 26 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.
The special teams are also dynamic. Reichard has made all 15 of his FG attempts, including 5 of 5 from beyond 50 yards. None of these kicks tail off course or glance off the goal posts. He bombs them straight down the middle and usually with yards to spare.
In addition to Reichard, return specialist Myles Price has given the Vikings a lift with his punt and kickoff returns. He had an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Week 3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has also averaged 29.8 on his 17 kickoff returns.
Offense has struggled, but is about to hit its stride
After looking at the stats and listening to many of the top NFL observers, the conclusion drawn is that the offense is brutal and will lead to the downfall of the Vikings.
The Vikings rank 27th on offense and are averaging 283.0 yards per game. New QB Kyler Murray has struggled gaining control of head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system.
RB Jordan Mason has been out with a broken thumb. Superstar wideout Justin Jefferson has been struggling with a sprained ankle. OLT Christian Darrisaw suffered a concussion and so did TE T.J. Hockenson.
The injury issues cannot be overstated. There have been additional issues with consistency and cohesiveness, but once the offense gets healthy, the offense is likely to move ahead and show off its skill.
They will have their first chance to do so in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, and if the offense finds its stride, it will start to show that those who have concluded that the Vikings offense will cause the team to fall apart have been lying.
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