Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest
 

In New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ eyes, it is not hard to see why the Vikings have had so much success defending third downs this season.

“They've got good man cover guys and they've got a good pass rush and they've got linebackers that can also cover and pressure and do different things,” Brees said with a wry smile. “For all those reasons they’re really good in that situation."

https://i.nola.com/resizer/Ry5b2pc4v...HIPIUJFIKU.JPG

Those good players at every level have chalked up to the Vikings holding opponents to an NFL-best 23.4 percent conversion rate on third downs this season, the best figure in the NFL by a wide margin (the next best third down defense belongs to Carolina, at 32.8 percent).

Somewhat remarkably, the Vikings have now allowed a single touchdown on third down this season.

“I don't feel like they have allowed a conversion in the last three weeks maybe or 15 straight (drives),” said Saints coach Sean Payton. “(Vikings coach Mike Zimmer) done a fantastic job and they always present challenging looks with their pressure packages and they give you a lot of things to handle.

“… Perennially, they've been one of the better down defenses in all the years he's been there and it'll be an important part of the gameplan for this week.”

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Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest
 

Like in the NFC championship game...yes sirrrr

Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest
 

Easy schedule.
Credit the Vikings offense it can be explosive
However I wouldn’t place their defense above the Ravens. Similar but not as effective.

Saints protect the ball and limit (not stop) their WR we should put up 31

Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest
 

Speaking of defenses ...

I hope we do away with the "prevent" defense tomorrow night.

Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest
 

The Vikings defense is 16th in yards/game and 14th in points/game. Hard to get more average than that.

And as far as "best when the stakes are the highest", they've only played one division leading team, the Rams. And the Rams put 38 on them.

Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest
 

Read this and you come away with a much different view of Minnesota’s defense.

https://nypost.com/2018/10/26/saints...y-matchup/amp/

But if you look a little deeper, the picture becomes much less dire. The Vikings allow the second-highest yards per reception (at 13.2, behind only the Raiders’ 14.4). Even better, the Vikings have allowed the third-most receptions of 20-plus yards (30) — behind just the Chargers (32) and Chiefs (34).

More: They also are tied for the most 40-yard catches allowed with seven — along with the Bears, Rams, Dolphins, Saints and Raiders.

Now consider: Minnesota has given up such chunk yardage at league-leading rates despite having faced the Bills, Cardinals and Jets — none of whom have passing games defenses fear. They met an Eagles team when Carson Wentz had yet to find his groove. The played the Packers when Aaron Rodgers was fresh off a knee injury.

The one opponent they have faced with an offense comparable to the Saints was a Week 4 Thursday night clash with the Rams — in which Minnesota yielded receiving TDs of 70, 47 and 31 yards.

Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest
 

The Vikings also got blown out by the Bills.

Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest
 

I hate the prevent defense and we won't see it if it's a close game.........here's to the prevent defense. :cheers: