The biggest issue on defense is getting gouged on the ground, again. And you cant blame Chicagos inability to stop the run on the Roquan Smith trade. Despite employing notable names like Bobby Wagner, Jalen Ramsey, and Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles defense has holes and is beginning to age. They also arent as good in the red zone as they have been in years past. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been a staple of our NFL defense rankings for years. Football Power Index rankings There are only three teams allowing more rushing yards after contact than the Packers. Arizona has some players on defense like Budda Baker, Zaven Collins, and Isaiah Simmons, but when you are light on the back end and the EDGE, youre going to give up lots of yards in the pass-heavy NFL. SEA | TB | TEN | WSH, Defensive efficiency: 62.7 It feels even more likely to happen with Ejiro Evero taking over as defensive coordinator. They also allow the most pass attempts and completions. There are also 15 teams this week that have a 2-2 record. -- Todd Archer, Defensive efficiency: 74.5 Their run defense has been terrible all season. Reed and rookie Sauce Gardner are holding up nicely on the outside, but they're giving up too many chunk plays in the middle of the field. SRS -- Simple Rating System: Team quality relative to average (0.0) as measured by SRS (Simple Rating System), SRS = Margin of Victory + Strength of Schedule = OSRS + DSRS, OSRS: Offensive SRS Team offense quality relative to average (0.0) as measured by SRS (Simple Rating System), DSRS: Defensive SRS Team defense quality relative to average (0.0) as measured by SRS (Simple Rating System), I definitely agree with the spirit of the post, but all I can think of when I recall the '98 season is, offense on field for 2 minutes: touchdown, defense on field for 10 minutes: exhausted, 4th quarter: No such thing as a 4-minute offense with Carter, Moss, Reed, and Smith, And intense stress when playing anyone that could finish off those 10 minute drives, There werent three better, I dont know the intricacies of defensive DVOA, but from a just pure output perspective Im questioning the value tbh. Under the tag, Payne is projected to make roughly $18.9 million fully guaranteed for the 2023 season. However, I am deducting points from the Chargers because they should be better. -- John Keim, What will define Eric Bieniemy's success? This is a defense built for a Super Bowl run. CBSSports.com 247Sports MaxPreps If the Buccaneers are going to turn it on and make any type of noise in the playoffs, this defense must continue playing at a high level. The Vikings coverage grade feels a little big closer than normal, as they finished with a grade of 71.8, good for 18th in the NFL. -- Josh Weinfuss, Defensive efficiency: 29.6 Theyve allowed the second-fewest touchdowns while remaining stout in the red zone. DVOA isn't perfect but it gives you a good idea of about where that team ranked in that category. We should be poised for a giant bounce back. All of the other teams ahead of them scored at least three, with the Dolphins and Cowboys scoring six and nine, respectively. Pro Bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson missed Weeks 1 and 3 after undergoing ankle surgery in August, and when he did give it a go in Week 2, he said he was playing at less than 100 percent. Our special teams was atrocious in 2020 (2nd worst in the NFL). It was 2nd worst in the league and we never read or talk about it. The biggest issue on defense is getting pass rush from someone other than Maxx Crosby. DVOA measures not just yardage, but yardage towards a first down: Five yards on third-and-4 are worth more than five yards on first-and-10 and much more than five yards on third-and-12. 1st Bet on Caesars up to $1,250 + 2,000 in Rewards & Tier Credits. Here's everything we know, QB Young 5-10 1/8, 204 pounds at NFL combine, Sources: Patriots tell QB Hoyer he's being cut, Horns' Robinson: Versatility worthy of early pick, Jones: Not fixated on Cowboys' drought, just '23, Sources: Raiders plan franchise tag for Jacobs, WR Addison to Steelers' Pickett: 'Come get me', Wolverines' Turner wows with 4.26 40 at combine, Top QB prospect Levis eager to unleash 'cannon', Everything you need to know about Geno Smith's contract negotiations. The Bengals defense is a lot better than their points-per-game ranking suggests (12th). Depth charts for every team The Baltimore Ravens are set at safety and linebacker, but it will be losing No. The Broncos had surrendered only six points in the second half of their first three games combined, so they were rolling. 1 in sacks. Check out the 2020 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com. Change is coming. As they have over the past few years, the Vikings were a good run-blocking team. Let's overreact to NFL Week 4: Cooper Rush as Cowboys starter? Figures indicate statistics each team allowed to their opponents. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. Mel Kiper takes another shot predicting the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, with elite QBs and defensive players highlighting the latest mock. The biggest issue on defense is getting off the field on third down. 5. . If the Jets can figure it out on offense, this team could do some damage. Its understandable to not fully buy into the team, but 23rd in the league is quite the outlier. The Eagles are allowing the 16th-most rushing yards along with the 13th-most scores on the ground. The biggest issue on defense is a banged-up defensive line. The Titans win ugly, but they win football games. The architect of the defensive schemes that have become increasingly popular around the NFL, Fangio should help Miamis pass defense take a step forward in 2023. In 2020, Pittsburgh led the way and were being drafted 4th. Washington had the sixth-ranked fantasy season last year and they keep on getting better. The Chiefs are doing a nice job of pressuring the quarterback, so it figures the turnovers will come. DE Jadeveon Clowney has missed the past two games with an ankle injury. The Giants have played very well for the most part, but need to improve their run defense. Fantasy Football Defense Rankings for Week 18 | 1-10 1. They are allowing 5 yards per carry and have given up 20 runs of 10 yards or more in four games, including two runs of at least 33 yards in the past two games. What will the Buffalo Bills do without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier? The Patriots tend to be one of the more reliable units from season to season - top-12 DST since 2018 - and 2022 is no different. However, despite the promotion of Dennis Allen to head coach, the New Orleans defense is no longer a strength. PFF: 85.3-2nd The Buccaneers have battled injuries on both sides of the ball, but more so on defense. The Chargers had a bunch of talent on defense last year, but the outfit was undermined by glaring holes at . However, a tight salary cap means losing at least two impact defenders and that will have significant ramifications on the Bills defense. Losing Chandler Jones has taken a greater toll on Arizona's pass rush than expected. Teams have still been able to run on the Buccaneers, something that was an afterthought under Todd Bowles, but theyre a bit more difficult to throw on, allowing the fifth-fewest passing yards in the NFL. Putting the Vikings in the No. Sign up for the Vikings Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, The PFF grades reflect Sunday's game very well. League rank: 3rd. Ok so this is where we need to say again that DVOA still needs context. Donald led all defensive lineman in the NFL last year in pass-rush wins with 127. Outside of Grady Jarrett and A.J. The Jaguars had allowed just 55 yards per game on the ground through the first three games, but gave up 210 yards and four touchdowns rushing to the Eagles on Sunday. Performance is also adjusted for the quality of the opponent. Friday, March 03. 2017 was only the franchises fourth best season from a DVOA perspective since 1983? Year Advertising. -- Rob Demovsky. Speaking of special teams, have we done much to improve in this area other than hire a new coordinator? Losing Chandler Jones this offseason while not addressing their needs in the secondary, most notably, at cornerback, we expected the Cardinals defense to be among the leagues worst. 2 corner to help this unit maintain its status as one of the best NFL defenses in 2023. Across 17 games, Chicago allowed opponents to average a 94.4 QB rating, 4.9 yards per carry and they allowed the most points per game (27.2) in the NFL. If the 49ers' defense can stay reasonably healthy, they don't need an offensive juggernaut to be a contender. With that side, star linebacker David Long Jr. is a free agent and the Titans cornerback room is a mess. The Giants are 19th in the NFL with a pass rush win rate of 41.2%. The Ravens used to get offenses off the field when they had Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs forcing clutch turnovers. But there's little to pick apart. AP Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald. | 13th most accurate ranker in the FantasyPros ECR for in-season accuracy, including 2nd at quarterback and 3rd at tight end (2021). They did a better job of it in 2019 but still came up short when it mattered. While they are worse on offense, their defense has not been able to carry them. Could Carolina swap soon? Vikings NFC South Buccaneers Falcons Panthers Saints NFC West Cardinals Niners Rams Seahawks Colleges Pac-12 Colorado Oregon USC SEC Alabama Arkansas Auburn Florida Georgia LSU Tennessee Texas. -- Brady Henderson, Defensive efficiency: 37.6 in 89 Doleman had 21 and Millard was NFL Defensive Player of the Year with 18 sacks out of the DT spot. From injuries to defending the run, every team has something it can improve on. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Not everybody shares that sentiment, however. Below, you will find our latest NFL Defense Power Rankings for 2022, ranking all 32 team defenses from around the league. He'll likely end up with a good chunk of dough in free agency, but it's hard to believe . A lot of analysts believe that the Vikings are not what their record says they are. The defending Super Bowl champions have taken an immense step back on both sides of the ball in 2022. The Las Vegas Raiders defense fell well short of expectations under play-caller Patrick Graham. The Colts might also need to upgrade at edge rusher over Yannick Ngakoue and even safety could become a position to address. Dallas must re-sign linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who proved to be an integral piece this year. The Eagles are first in sacks (16), tied for first in takeaways (10), third in yards allowed (277.3 per game) and 10th in points allowed (17.8). Rookie cornerbacks arent supposed to be great early, but Sauce Gardner became an All-Pro in his first season. They converted each into a touchdown. While he will be missed, Steve Wilks is a fantastic fit for San Francisco. The biggest issue on defense is allowing explosive plays. League rank: 28. The Vikings defense graded highly in PFFs model, ranking fourth in the NFL with a grade of 85.3. -- Alaina Getzenberg, Defensive efficiency: 85.7 Consistently a top-12 pass and run defense, the Ravens have room for improvement if they find younger plays to fill the voids left by Peters and Co. Jan 15, 2022 The Minnesota Vikings ended their disappointing 2021 campaign with an 8-9 record, missing the postseason altogether and firing their general manager and head coach. To win NFC +1800. Not only are the Packers allowing nearly 5 yards per rush, but they're having troubling bringing runners down. However, the Vikings are one of the best teams in the NFC because they find a way to get the job done, making plays when they need to. Kansas City Chiefs @ DEN 10. So 3 years were ahead of 2017 by total number but one of those was ranked #4 within it's year. If Robert Saleh can find a playmaking safety, the Jets could be No. They must also find a way to create more turnovers. The Game Day may earn revenue from site visitor referrals to betting services. Choose from seasonal averages or review past weekly performance to help optimize your lineup. Cornerback A.J. Jets GM Joe Douglas has also hit on a few key free-agent acquisitions, including D.J. However, I am doing so because this should have been expected. The Bills' defense is ranked in the top five of almost every major category -- with third-down defense (41.3%, 19th) being one of a few concerns. Terrell, the Falcons have some work to do when it comes to bringing in more talent to improve this unit. The updated rankings reflect that the Dallas Cowboys are surviving without Dak Prescott, who could return in Week 5, as they climb back up the list. The biggest issue on defense is the fourth quarter. I am being generous with my ranking of the Cardinals. The Cowboys have not allowed 20 points in a game yet and have allowed just one touchdown in each game. Fantasy Football Defense Rankings (2022) Last updated: March 2, 2023 These fantasy football rankings are refreshed live every day based on average draft position data generated by the fantasy football mock drafts. Bet Tip: Seahawks to Win NFC West (+320) at FanDuel Sportsbook. Responsible Gaming: Many sportsbooks offer ways to encourage responsible gaming, including the establishment of limits to deposits, spending, and time dedicated to betting. -- Rob Demovsky, Defensive efficiency: 46.2 Using DVOA once more, the Vikings rank 11th in "mid-zone" defense (plays between the opponents' 40-yard line and their 40-yard line) and 15th in "front zone" defense, (plays between . PFF Pass rush: 73.8-11th Stroud: No. https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/minnesota-vikings-2022-pff-grades-by-team-category-rankings/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The Browns are only in the red in rushing touchdowns (29) and red zone attempts (29), showing the spots that need improvement. League rank: 2nd. Terrell took a step back in 2022 after a breakout season a year prior. This is one defense that offenses struggle to get anything going against. An intriguing element of that was it came despite just one defensive or return touchdown. But not anywhere near the level of '17 They were just ahead of the Buffalo Bills who had a grade of 65.0. Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, . Bet Tip: Bengals to Win AFC Championship (+600) at Caesars Sportsbook. The Bolts are also having to adjust without Pro Bowl edge rusher Joey Bosa, who was placed on injured reserve after tearing his groin in Week 3. The Minnesota Vikings sit at 9-2 going into week 13 and they are feeling really good about their chances down the stretch. But when the players say they still need to get better, slowing the run is their biggest must. They have allowed the most yards per game to their opponent and consistently let players catch the ball shallow and they usually get yards after the catch to amplify that. The Detroit Lions defense showed tangible progress late in the season. Where the Vikings have been successful is with their pass rush. The 2022 Minnesota Vikings had a great overall season but it ended up finishing in a fashion that left them something to be desired with a loss to the New York Giants. Sign up for the Vikings Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, The Vikings were well represented on the PFF top 101. In the industry, Anthony has excelled in both the fantasy football and sports betting space with fantasy his proverbial bread and butter. Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports. Find NFL defense rushing stats by team. Who has the best NFL defense in 2023? 1 in our NFL defense rankings, the Los Angeles Rams have rolled into a freefall. In fact, its now a liability. Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. No longer the lights-out unit of the past few seasons, they can still get to the quarterback at a high rate. Where this position ranks in the draft. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Catch up with our positional . Adding an edge defender like Myles Murphy or Tyree Wilson would be an excellent step forward for this unit. League rank: 15th. The Vikings finished a paltry 19th in the league with a grade of 66.6. NFL 2022 Regular Season Overall Defense Entire League Teams have found some success running the ball against the Broncos, but throwing on them has been a completely different story. The Vikings offense has been good so far this season. However, defensively, it hasnt been that bad. The biggest issue on defense is forcing takeaways. The offense has been so bad with three-and-outs and turnovers that the defense continues to be forced back on the field. This is a team that can turn it around fast, however, with the right moves in the offseason. Despite having a great season from punter Ryan Wright and PFFs number one long snapper in Andrew DePaola, the Vikings finished a paltry 21st in special teams with a grade of 76.0. A star-studded unit with menacing players that include Fred Warner and Nick Bosa in the front seven, we have also seen the emergence of Talanoa Hufanga, who is already one of the leagues best safeties. Detroit currently leads the league in scoring but also allows the most points in the league. That's not to oversimplify what's gone wrong for Seattle's defense, which has had all sorts of issues during another awful start. DVOA is a percentage, so a team with a DVOA of 10.0% is 10 percent better than the average team, and a quarterback with a DVOA of -20.0% is 20 percent worse than the average quarterback. League rank: 31st. Add it all up, and the Vikings ranked 30th in the NFL in yards allowed (383.6 per game) and 24th in points allowed per game (25.1). View the number of fantasy points each NFL team allows to each position, based on default NFL-Managed scoring. Stingy against both the run and the pass, young players like Sauce Gardner are stepping up in a big way and making an immediate impact. 44. It largely paid off, resulting in an NFC title with a single-season record for sacks and plenty of outstanding performances. Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. -- 2022's consensus defensive player of the year after winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Vince Lombardi Award -- has battled some of the NCAA's toughest linemen across his three-year collegiate career. This was an issue last year, and it continues to be one this season. Anthony has made appearances on SiriusXM, amongst other publications. That's exactly when it mattered. He is also a lifelong NFL savant and self-proclaimed league historian. He is also the co-creator of the FF Faceoff (Faceoff Sports Network) and the FF Faceoff Mental Health Podathon partnered with the Hayden Hurst Foundation. Ranking NFL stadiums 2023: Best and worst stadiums in NFL, Realistic veteran QB options for the Las Vegas Raiders, 4 offseason moves Seattle Seahawks should make in 2023 after Wild Card loss, NFL mock draft 2023: Latest Round 1 projection for 2023 NFL Draft with big trades, 5 NFL QB trades wed love to see this offseason, NFL teams that have never won a Super Bowl, Evaluating the 3 best Lamar Jackson trade landing spots in 2023, Why Joe Burrow deserves to be the highest-paid QB in the NFL, New wild details about New England Patriots offensive dysfunction in 22-23 revealed, Steve Wilks joins San Francisco 49ers as defensive coordinator. 2020 Team DVOA Ratings: Defense Updated 02/22/2023 10:17 AM EST Year 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 The Seahawks are getting gashed against the run, in part because they're struggling in their transition to a 3-4 but also because they're missing tackles. If the right additions are made at cornerback, this could be a top-5 unit. Because DVOA measures scoring, defenses are better when they are negative. The biggest issue on defense is the nickel package. Ryans will certainly help, but so much talent needs to be injected at every level of this defense. However, the Seattle defense is allowing the fifth-most points per game while slated in the bottom six in a slew of categories including points, plays, passing yards, rushing yards, and touchdowns allowed. The biggest issue on defense is third-down conversions. League rank: 29th. Related: NFL teams that have never won a Super Bowl. The biggest issue on defense is a consistent pass rush. This calls for an updated set of rankings. Usually these comments are made in one of the endless Kirk arguments to say he never had a good defense. The Steelers ranked second in D/ST scores last year. However, because of injuries in the secondary, it has since become a handicap. However, it is deserved. A big reason for this is the absence of linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who made his short-lived season debut on Sunday, only to leave with a concussion in the second half. The only three teams ahead of the Vikings are the 49ers, Dolphins and Chiefs. The fourth-quarter comebacks have significantly made an impact on the passing yards and PFF grade, but DVOA, a metric designed to predict future success, isnt convinced of the sustainability of the unit. However, they also lost some talent in free agency, and it has shown throughout the year. I thought positive is good and negative is bad, and yet all of our bad seasons are listed with a negative percentage and our bad season (2020) has a positive percentage. Cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Jordan Poyer have returned, but CB Christian Benford is still dealing with a right hand injury, S Micah Hyde (neck) is out for the season, DT Ed Oliver is recovering from a right ankle injury and CB Tre'Davious White continues to rehab a torn ACL in his left knee. This might be a minor quibble given how well the unit is playing as a whole. Reed Jr. standing out in coverage vs No. The Colts' defense thrived on takeaways last season, producing 33 turnovers. Who had the most wins as an underdog last season? After allowing opponents to average a 96.5 QB rating with 262.2 pass ypg and a 16-8 TD-INT line in the first 10 games, Detroit ceded a 59% completion rate 222.4 pass ypg and 10-4 TD-INT in its final seven contests. If the Texans are doing anything right in 2023, its on defense. Coming from the Vic Fangio coaching tree, Evero oversaw one of the best pass defenses in the NFL last season. They haven't gotten a consistent pass-rush from anyone other than linebacker Uchenna Nwosu. The biggest issue on defense is the 49ers' offense. Reed and Carl Lawson. It. The Giants have a top-10 pass defense at the moment. Jones has occupied double-teams and affected the passer, but for Crosby to remain effective, the Raiders would love for Jones, who signed a three-year, $51 million free agent deal with Las Vegas this spring, to start getting home, too. Only the 49ers, Rams and New England Patriots ranked ahead of them. Who threw the most touchdowns in the 1990s? Washington has surrendered an NFL-best 12 plays of 30 yards or more -- 10 of those have been pass plays -- often because of blown coverages. Watt is the cog in the defense that makes everything go, and without a formidable pass rush, the rest of the defense isn't succeeding in picking up the slack. The biggest issue on defense is sluggish starts. The Bills finished as the fourth-ranked defense for fantasy last year. Every year, the Chiefs defense seems to get better as the season progresses. The Browns defense is more than just elite pass-rusher Myles Garrett. They're losing one-on-one matchups and committing too many penalties on the back end, where they're playing three young corners plus a backup at safety in Josh Jones because of the serious knee injury Adams suffered in the opener. They are the No. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports. Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT) Pittsburgh Steelers. When the Minnesota Vikings pass rush couldnt create pressure, it was finished. NFL Defensive Rankings By Year 2000 To 2021 | StatMuse NFL defensive rankings by year 2000 to 2021 Explore Who has the most career 5+ passing TD games? Arizona allowed the highest completion rate (69.8%) to opponents and it surrendered the second-most passing touchdowns (29). They are scoring slightly less than the 25.0 PPG than they did last year, but they are playing better defense and consistency is more important than overall points. Safety Lamarcus Joyner is coming off his best game (two interceptions), but the Jets need better coverage from S Jordan Whitehead and MLB C.J. The Ravens defense had an erratic start to the year. Another year in Aaron Glenns system with additions to the secondary and defensive line can make this a top-15 defense in 2023. The Vikings came from behind to beat the Bills 33-30 in overtime.Ag3i9021, 276.1 YPG-32nd They are the third-worst unit in that category. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports, 240.7 YPG-7th In the fourth quarter, opposing quarterbacks have posted an NFL-best 88.6 QBR against the Ravens, throwing five touchdowns and getting sacked twice. This is puzzling since the Dolphins have a high-priced secondary, among other positions scattered on that side of the ball. DT Folorunso Fatukasi had been a key part of the success, but he went down with a quad injury against the Eagles and his status going forward is unclear. With explosive offenses coming up, the D-line better healthy fast. New Orleans Saints (vs. Vikings) 15. It was an essential foundation to put them on this year's list of best fantasy football defenses. If you are looking to make a wager on the NFL, perhaps on some defensive props, be sure to check out the best sportsbook promos. Only the New York Jets, 49ers and Eagles finished ahead of them. ET. The Raiders made a key move this offseason with the acquisition of Chandler Jones. It will have ramifications on a unit that ranked 22nd in pass rush win rate (37%) and ceded the 11th-highest average QB rating (92.7). The Jags have five picks in the first four rounds in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. That has helped stabilize the Vikings pass defense. I think DVOA is very good but not perfect. Minnesota also ranked between 25th and 29th in the following. Maybe this shouldnt surprise anyone, but the Lions have the NFLs worst defense. The Vikings easily had a top 10 offense in 2022 and they should be at the top of the league in 2022. However, Arden Key is a free-agent Jacksonville must keep and its evident the Jags need help at corner. I think what happened was our D was so good in 2017 that by comparison '18 and '19 seemed worse then they were because we were expecting them to be nearly as good as '17. Running back Dalvin Cook is a top 5 back in the league due to his speed, footwork, and pass catching ability. This season, Baltimore defenders are making it too easy with missed assignments and no consistent pass rush. The Vikings pass rush was not viewed as highly, as they ranked 10th with a grade of 75.2, slightly ahead of the Patriots. They've allowed 415 yards off play-action, which is the fourth most in the NFL. Green Bays defense is ranked 31st in rushing yards, 30th in attempts, and 25th in rushing touchdowns allowed. 2. Joe Rexrode weighs in on who he thinks will miss out on the playoffs this year. Denver Broncos (at Raiders) 13. -- Courtney Cronin, Defensive efficiency: 54.3 Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News. Fantasy Defense Tiers 2022: D/ST rankings, sleepers, fantasy football draft strategy | Sporting News PHO MIL 10:00a -3 pts BRK ATL 12:00p -5 pts WAS CHI 12:30p -4 pts LAL DAL 12:30p -4 pts TOR. However, this was to be expected in the wake of the loss of Don Martindale to the Giants. NFL Defense Power Rankings 2022 | Ranking All 32 Team Defenses NFL Spread Pick Of The Day C.J. -- Michael DiRocco, Defensive efficiency: 47.3 The turnaround from the New York Jets defense last season was incredible. Defense has carried the Saints since the retirement of Drew Brees. Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) hands the ball off to running back Dalvin Cook (4) against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. PFF viewed the Vikings as a good tackling team, ranking them fourth in the NFL with a grade of 85.5. That 1988 D was fucking awesome and def on the level of 2017. Of the 97 pass completions against them, 69 have come by receivers who have at least three yards of separation at the time of the throw, the fourth-highest total in the league. They have been better as of late as well, allowing only 45 yards on the ground this past Thursday against the New England Patriots. Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress. Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson intercepts a Josh Allen pass in the end zone. That said, on paper, this defense isnt as bad as it appears.