The Vikings Defense

[Mothman]

Something to consider...

Points allowed by the Vikings in each game this season:

23
23
13
13
7
38
14
36
30
24
28
23

The Vikings allowed an average of 15.8 points per game when they were compiling their 4-1 record. They allowed an average of 28.4 points per game over the next 5 games and the team went 2-3.

Since that 4-1 start, they've allowed an average of 27.6 points per game. To some extent, quality of opponent figures into those numbers but that number needs to come down.

[mondry]

Something to consider...

Points allowed by the Vikings in each game this season:

23
23
13
13
7
38
14
36
30
24
28
23

The defense allowed an average of 15.8 points per game when the Vikes were compiling their 4-1 record. They allowed an average of 28.4 points per game over the next 5 games and the team went 2-3.

Since that 4-1 start, they've allowed an average of 27.6 points per game. To some extent, quality of opponent figures into those numbers but that number needs to come down.

Quality of opponent and of course that's ALSO when the offense started to lose TOP more than 2 to 1 on a regular basis and turn the ball over giving teams short fields. I don't think that is just a coincidence that that's when the defense started giving up more points per game.

Obviously a couple more upgrades / impact players would be helpful though!

[Crax]

The only numbers that that really bother me are the ones in the 30's and the 28. If your offense/st and occasionally defense can't account for 24pts a game, you aren't winning many games these days.

The defense allowed an average of 15.8 points per game when the Vikes were compiling their 4-1 record. They allowed an average of 28.4 points per game over the next 5 games and the team went 2-3.

Just to make sure, are those numbers points allowed by the defense or total pts scored by an opponent? Pick 6's shouldn't count against the defense and I'd be interested in seeing points allowed on short field vs non-short field as well, but I'm not sure how easy that is to find.

[Mothman]

Quality of opponent and of course that's ALSO when the offense started to lose TOP more than 2 to 1 on a regular basis and turn the ball over giving teams short fields. I don't think that is just a coincidence that that's when the defense started giving up more points per game.

It's not a coincidence but TOP is a double-edged sword. If the other team is winning TOP, that means the Vikes offense isn't holding onto the ball long enough and the defense isn't getting off the field quickly enough. TOP isn't just about one unit or the other. It reflects team performance.

The only numbers that that really bother me are the ones in the 30's and the 28. If your offense/st and occasionally defense can't account for 24pts a game, you aren't winning many games these days.

Well said.

Just to make sure, are those numbers points allowed by the defense or total pts scored by an opponent?

It's the latter so I should have said those were points allowed by the Vikings, not just the defense. I apologize for that. Thanks for catching my mistake. I've edited the original post to be more accurate.The points allowed averages would be slightly different if we were just talking about defensive points allowed but they would still leave plenty of room for improvement.

Pick 6's shouldn't count against the defense and I'd be interested in seeing points allowed on short field vs non-short field as well, but I'm not sure how easy that is to find.

You might have to go through the play-by-plays at NFL.com to figure it out.

I think Ponder has one pick 6 this year (against the Redskins). Is there another one I'm forgetting?