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Minnesota Vikings defense is off to a historic start, accomplishing something no one else has done in 20+ years

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Tyler Forness | Last updated Sep 23, 2024 6:48 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings defense is playing as well as any unit in the National Football League. They are allowing just 10.0 points per game, have a plus two turnerover differnetial and have made things extremely difficult for opposing quarterbacks.

They have also done a great job in getting to the passer. Edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Pat Jones II each have 4.0 sacks on the season and the defense as a whole has been excellent at getting to the quarterback.

Minnesota Vikings defense accomplish something not seen since 2001

It's not a secret that defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves to bring pressure on defense. He's not only bringing pressure consistently, his guys are getting to the quarterback. With 16.0 sacks in the first three weeks, the Vikings have become the first team to record 5.0 or more sacks in each of the first three games since the 2001 New Orleans Saints.

With 5.0 sacks vs. Houston on Sunday, Minnesota became the first team with 5.0 sacks in three straight games to begin a season since the 2001 New Orleans Saints. pic.twitter.com/gZt4GTrn8j
— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) September 23, 2024

It's an impressive stat for this Vikings defense, as they have gotten production all throughout their front seven. With their 16.0 sacks, seven different players have a sack. The Vikings have spread the wealth when it comes to rushing the passer by attacking the offense based on the look they give. Greenard spoke about the scheme after Sunday's game.

"Teams have to play honestly. Have to play with your time. You know, certain times you can dictate what you want to go to a certain guy or different matchups. Other times you say, hey, look, we're just going to take away your best option, but to make sure that you play on our side, not turns to speed things up, you're not going to sit back there and try to get it to certain guys or certain places you might like. But I love it, man. But it definitely unlocks a whole new, you know, IQ football within you, just so you understand the game even more people dictating everything that's love playing football. I love the system, and we just getting started."

We've seen a great start from the Vikings before on defense before fizzling out. Once they got their feet underneath them in 2023, the defense took off in a major way. However, once teams figured out their scheme in December, things cratered to a tune of 30.0 points per game allowed in the final four games of the season.

Enjoy this start, as it feels sustainable in multiple ways. The Vikings are for real.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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