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

Attached Thumbnails · 10-27-2018, 07:21 AM

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."

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.”

read more on NOLA

spkb25 · 10-27-2018, 08:59 AM

Like in the NFC championship game...yes sirrrr

saintsfan1976 · 10-27-2018, 09:10 AM

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

K Major · 10-27-2018, 10:20 PM

Speaking of defenses ...

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

Utah_Saint · 10-27-2018, 11:02 PM

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.

saintsfan1976 · 10-28-2018, 07:03 AM

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.

dizzle88 · 10-28-2018, 08:21 AM

The Vikings also got blown out by the Bills.

Rugby Saint II · 10-28-2018, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by K Major

Speaking of defenses ...

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

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

10-27-2018, 07:21 AM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,125 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) 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." 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.” read more on NOLA Attached Thumbnails
Views: 861

10-27-2018, 08:59 AM	#2
spkb25 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 13,097	Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest Like in the NFC championship game...yes sirrrr

10-27-2018, 09:10 AM	#3
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,832 Blog Entries: 3	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 spkb25 likes this.

10-27-2018, 10:20 PM	#4
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,619 Blog Entries: 3	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. saintsfan1976, Rugby Saint II and Thirty3 like this.

10-27-2018, 11:02 PM	#5
Utah_Saint Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,521	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. saintsfan1976, SmashMouth and Thirty3 like this.

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10-28-2018, 07:03 AM	#6
saintsfan1976 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 10,832 Blog Entries: 3	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. SmashMouth likes this.

10-28-2018, 08:21 AM	#7
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,208	Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest The Vikings also got blown out by the Bills.

10-28-2018, 02:28 PM	#8
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Re: Minnesota’s defense has been at its best when the stakes are highest Originally Posted by K Major Speaking of defenses ... I hope we do away with the "prevent" defense tomorrow night. I hate the prevent defense and we won't see it if it's a close game.........here's to the prevent defense.