Should We Expect More from the Vikings Defense in Big Moments?
Stephen_Nolan
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There’s no doubting that the Minnesota Vikings’ defense has been phenomenal since Mike Zimmer’s arrival in 2014. Despite being fairly mediocre against the run in his first few seasons, the 2017 season saw the Vikings’ defense finish first in total defense, allowing just 15.8 points per game. They were first overall in yards against per game (275.9 yards), finishing second against the run and second against the pass. Additionally, the Vikings allowed a historical 25.2% conversion rate on third-down – a monumental feat. There is no questioning that the Vikings defense is one of the league’s best, and it’s the reason so many are hyper-concerned with the team’s cap situation, particularly in regards to re-signing players like Barr, Kendricks and Hunter.
So, how much responsibility should this Vikings defense have in big games? Isn’t the whole point of an elite defense – that you build your team around – that they carry you when it really matters? There’s been a few moments over the past few years where the Vikings defense needed one of their highly paid star players to stand up, make a game changing play, and win the football game for the team – and they haven’t.
In 2016, the Vikings defense somewhat collapsed over the second-half of the season. Of course, many will point to the fact the offense didn’t do much to keep them off the field, and that there were some injuries that left depth short. These are both valid points. But if you’re paying certain defensive players huge money, it’s their job to stand up in these moments. They didn’t. Not when the Colts ran up 34 points against the Vikings in Week 15, nor when the secondary went rogue for a few plays in a 25-38 loss to the Packers the following week. The defense didn’t show much down the stretch in 2016.
In 2017, the defense was outstanding and carried the offense frequently. Up against the New Orleans Saints in the Division Round, they carried the team to a 17-0 halftime lead. The second half – they gave up 24 points, and barring the Minneapolis Miracle, we would have reflected on an unprecedented collapse. Against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, well, we don’t need to talk about that. The defense showed no resistance at all. The offense was similarly abysmal, but there were no game-changing plays from the highly touted defense. No turnovers, no big stops, no momentum shifters in the first half when they were sorely needed.
Now, this isn’t to say you can judge the sustained success of the Vikings’ defense by a handful of bad games. There is no doubt the Vikings have a very good defense. But when many are against signing a highly paid quarterback in favor of signing defensive players to huge contracts, you have to consider if they are worth big money. Highly paid players should make plays and win you games when it matters. It’s fair to ask if the highly paid players on the defense, or the ones that are due contracts shortly, are game changing players. As I watched the defense ignore playcalls against the Packers in 2016, get trampled in the second half against the Saints, and curb-stomped for 60 minutes against the Eagles, I was looking for one of the defensive stars to rally the troops. To get the group in a huddle and say enough is enough. To make a game-changing play when it really mattered. It didn’t happen. It’ll be 10 months before the defensive stars get another chance (hopefully) to show their worth in the playoffs and prove they’re worth the money.
Am I expecting too much of the defense and its stars in these moments, or is it fair to point out they haven’t lived up to the billing when the pressure is on? All I know is that if it’s absolutely essential that we sign Barr, Hunter, Kendricks and the rest of the gang to huge contracts, they better stand up and make game changing plays when it really matters.