Just to clarify a few things. I do not think we should be content with this defense and agree it is not going to get better with all the free agents we will lose next year. The intention of my post was more to point out that the Vikings have issues across the board and the offense people praised for being great is actually just as mediocre as the D. Overall this is a mediocre team that will finish with a mediocre record and instead of firing the GM and HC who built it we are just going to fire the HC.VikingLord wrote: ↑Mon Dec 27, 2021 12:58 pmBut the Rams were one-dimensional most of the game yesterday. Not because they had to be, but because the Vikings defense couldn't stop that one dimension. They got ahead and remained ahead and could run with impunity so why take risks with their starting QB who was clearly not playing at a high level?StumpHunter wrote: ↑Mon Dec 27, 2021 11:57 am You are right that the offense can play a role in defensive success, but I would argue if the offense had done its part the Rams O would have been even worse and Stafford would have made even more mistakes. They were able to run it as effectively as they did because they didn't have to become one dimensional to keep up with our O. That changes and it is a good thing for the D, not bad.
Very average defense. That's great if you are OK with setting that as the bar to clear.StumpHunter wrote: ↑Mon Dec 27, 2021 11:57 am From a per drive standpoint, this D is currently sitting at 20th in PPD, which is best in the division. After this week they will likely jump to around 16th and will probably end the season statistically a very average defense. This, after being 8th best 7 weeks in prior to Hunter's injury.
Are you OK with that?
Personally, I'd like them to actually be good enough to put this team into the Superbowl conversation.
I don't see how you arrive at that conclusion.StumpHunter wrote: ↑Mon Dec 27, 2021 11:57 am The D has been bad in stretches, particularly when their top guys were all hurt in the middle of the season, but they seem to have gotten things figured out a bit recently. Unfortunately this righting of the ship on D has coincided with the O sinking fast.
They've been terrible at stopping the run all year. The Bears ran it on them. The Rams ran it on them. The Packers will run it on them next week. Same thing pretty much every game and really regardless of who is on the field.
They've been spotty at stopping the pass all year. When they have limited the pass it's been mostly due to pressure on the QB. No pressure and opposing QBs have lit up a passive, often confused secondary that can't defend 50-50 lob passes and leaves opposing receivers wide open down the field on a regular basis.
They've been historically bad giving up points to end both halves. Historically as in the history of the NFL and not just recent history.
They are also chock full of stop-gap vets at many positions who are playing key roles. I can't look at the defense and see a lot of young pillars upon which this defense will be built and grow around.
Anyway, you see what you want to see, but what we'll all be watching in what, 2 weeks or so, is the Vikings players packing up their lockers for the offseason and a bunch of other teams playing meaningful games, including the Packers for the 3rd year in a row as NFC North Champs and likely playing in a 3rd straight NFC Championship game.
Also, my opinion on being 8th best in scoring is based on the D being 8th best in scoring through 7 weeks. I am not super concerned about being bad against the run all year if teams are struggling to put up points. Which at one point they were.