Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,552
- 0
3. Shutting down in the red zone
Teams had a little easier time moving the ball against Minnesota than in recent seasons, but the Vikings flexed their muscles in the red zone.
Opponents were often shut down inside the Vikings 20-yard line, with Minnesota allowing a red zone percentage (touchdowns per possession) of just 43.8 percent, which ranked No. 2 in the NFL behind Denver.
The Vikings also ranked second in goal-to-go situations, limiting opposing teams to a 54.6-percent touchdown rate in those situations.
Here are two stats that need to improve in 2020:
1. Run defense could use a boost
Minnesota's run defense had an up-and-down season in 2019. The Vikings by no means were terrible against the run – and they actually improved slightly from the previous season – allowing 108 rushing yards per game (13th in the NFL).
But the defense seemed to lack consistency, being stout one week and getting gouged on the ground the next.
The Vikings allowed opponents to rush for more than 100 yards seven times during the regular season; on five of those occasions, teams surpassed 140 rushing yards. Individual players racked up more than 100 yards five times, including Packers RB Aaron Jones in Weeks 2 and 16.
Minnesota preaches to "stop the run" first, which allows its pass rush to kick in and affect the quarterback.
The link between the two was demonstrated during the postseason. During the Vikings-Saints Wild Card game, in which the Vikings went on to win in overtime, Minnesota limited New Orleans to 97 yards on the ground and was able to put pressure on Drew Brees.
At San Francisco in the Divisional round, however, the Vikings allowed the 49ers to run at will, piling up 186 yards on the ground.
An emphasis on tightening up the run defense in 2020 could help the Vikings be more successful.