NFL: How Are the Vikings Undefeated?

There is one undefeated team remaining in the NFL; No, it's not the defending Super Bowl champions Denver Broncos, or the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Seattle Seahawks, it is the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota started the season on the road against the Tennessee Titans, where they handled Marcus Mariota and company with ease, en route to a 25-16 victory. Shaun Hill started at quarterback, while recently acquired Sam Bradford continued learning the offense. Hill threw for 236 yards, while Adrian Peterson added 31 yards on the ground. However, the defense was the real story; forcing three turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 interception), allowing only 64 rushing yards on 22 attempts (2.9 average). Even though the offense struggled, the defense and special teams combined for two touchdowns.
Week 2 is where the Vikings cemented themselves as the top team in the NFC North, defeating arch rival Green Bay Packers, 17-14. Bradford outdid former MVP Aaron Rodgers, throwing for 286 yards and two touchdowns. Peterson and wideout Stefon Diggs combined for 201 yards and a touchdown. But it was once again the defense carrying the load; allowing just 180 passing and 83 rushing yards, and forcing three more turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 interception).
The Panthers were next; the defending NFC champions. The offense struggled mightily, as Bradford tossed for just 171 yards and Jerick McKinnon added 45 yards on 16 carries running the ball. Defensive end, Everson Griffen, sacked Cam Newton three times, as the defense had eight sacks in total. Minnesota's Danielle Hunter added a safety, which helped complete the 22-10 upset.
Following the 3-0 start, the Vikings returned home for their next two matchups against the Giants and Texans. In a 24-10 win over New York, McKinnon ran for 85 yards and a TD score, while the defense picked off Eli Manning once and recovered a fumble. Against Houston, Bradford outdueled Brock Osweiler, throwing for 271 yards, two touchdowns, and a completion percentage of 73.3 percent. The defense allowed less than 100 rushing yards for the fourth time, and added an interception for the seventh time.
The offense (23.8 points per game and 315.8 yards) has been solid with Bradford (88-125, 990 yards, 6 touchdowns), McKinnon (174 yards, 1 touchdown), and Diggs (372 yards, 1 touchdown) leading the show.
But the defense (12.6 points and 316.6 yards allowed per game) is the main reason the Vikings are still unbeaten. The reason Minnesota's defense is so potent is because head coach Mike Zimmer has brought the mindset that "defense wins championships." Zimmer has instilled that type of message into his team and that is the reason they are able to shut down All-Pro type players like Demarco Murray, Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Eli Manning, and Alfred Blue.
Harrison Smith (37 tackles, 1 sack), Eric Kendricks (36 tackles, 1 interception), Andrew Sendejo (33 tackles, 1 interception), Trae Waynes (19 tackles, 2 interceptions), and Anthony Barr (16 tackles, 1 sack) have the potential to lead this team to the promised land.
I don't expect the Vikings to go 16-0 or even repeat what the Panthers (15-1) did last season, but I do see them winning the NFC North, winning 12+ games, and clinching a playoff berth for the second consecutive season. With games against the Eagles, Bears (twice), Lions (twice), Redskins, Cardinals, Cowboys, Jaguars, Colts, and Packers left, I see Minnesota finishing 12-4.
The Vikings are off to a 5-0 start and are looking extremely dangerous on defense. If the offense can become complete, or bring back Peterson, this team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Even just resting on Smith, Kendricks, and the rest of the defense, along with Zimmer, Minnesota is going to be tough to take down.
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