Vikings Rushing Defense Has Been Spectacular

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Minnesota’s rushing defense has been quite remarkable this season, and that will need to continue on Sunday at Lambeau Field against bitter border rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

Per NFL Pro, the Vikings rank as the 2nd-best rushing defense in the NFL. The unit allows a measly 71.3 yards per game on the ground, trailing only the Baltimore Ravens’ spectacular mark of 50.0.

They opened the season at MetLife, allowing 74 rushing yards to the Giants. The next week, they would understandably struggle a bit more against Kyle Shanahan’s masterful rushing scheme, allowing 102 total rushing yards. The clamps came back out in Week 3 against former Viking Cam Akers and a depleted Texans running back room, as Minnesota would only allow Houston to rush for 38 total yards on 14 carries.

vikings rushing defense
Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) react after a sack against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

While it’s obvious Minnesota hasn’t faced a true test on the ground outside of San Francisco in Week 2, there are still underlying metrics that are impressive, no matter the context. Through three games, the Vikings posses the 4th-highest run-stuff percentage (holding runs to no gain or loss of yardage) in the NFL at 21.7%. They’ve also allowed the 2nd-fewest rushes of 10+ yards at just four and boast the 3rd-best EPA/Rush allowed at -0.24.

What might be the most impressive metric is one that doesn’t get too much attention when assessing rushing defenses. NFL Pro has a metric called Yards Before Contact per Attempt, or YBCo/Att for short. Like it says in the name, this stat measures the amount of yards that runners accumulate against the defense before being contacted per attempt.

The Vikings lead the NFL in this metric, with an impressive mark of 0.22 rushing yards allowed before contact per attempt. In simpler terms, the Vikings have their hands on the rusher immediately as he gets to the offensive line to read his gaps.

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants guard Greg Van Roten (74) pass protects against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

This unsung rushing defense will need to show up big-time on Sunday at Lambeau Field, as the Green Bay Packers field the best rushing offense in the NFL through three weeks.

The number is aided by Malik Willis’ 114 rushing yards he’s contributed in his two starts, so if Jordan Love is cleared to play Sunday, the rushing attack changes a bit. Nonetheless, Green Bay’s 204.0 total rushing yards per game is an incredibly impressive feat, even given the small three-game sample size.

Their underlying metrics are, interestingly, a mixed bag. They rush for the 2nd-most yards per play in the NFL at 5.5 and are tied for 1st in the NFL of runs for 10+ yards at 19. However, they are 20th in the NFL in run success rate (runs that keep the offense “on schedule”) at 38.7% and have their runs stuffed at the 5th-highest rate in the NFL, with 20.7% of their rush attempts being stopped for no gain or negative yardage.

Sep 15, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) hands the football off to running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

This mixed bag can likely be attributed to the fact that Malik Willis has contributed to their rushing game at an efficient rate in his two starts with the team, adding 12 rushes for 114 yards and a touchdown to the box score, as well as the fact that Green Bay runs the ball at the 2nd-highest rate in the league at 60.3% of play calls.

Even though they’ve already played San Francisco, Minnesota may face their biggest test yet on the ground when they travel to Lambeau and take on Josh Jacobs and his Packers. Either way, we will likely find out just how good this Vikings run defense is when the rubber meets the road.

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