The Minnesota Vikings defense has made a lot of improvements in Mike Zimmer’s first two seasons as the team’s head coach.
The improvement has been so noticeable that some believe the Vikings will have one of the league’s best defenses in 2016.
Matt Williamson of TheScore.com ranks the Vikings defense at No. 2 in the entire NFL. Here are the top five defenses in the NFL, according to Williamson.
- Denver Broncos
- Minnesota Vikings
- Arizona Cardinals
- Houston Texans
- Seattle Seahawks
The Vikings defense has ranked fourth in red zone scoring (44.19 percent) and fifth in points allowed per game (18.9) since Zimmer has become Minnesota’s head coach.
To further illustrate the point, Vikings.com points out that Minnesota was last in the league in points allowed in 2013. In Zimmer’s first season the Vikings improved to 11th in 2014, then jumped up to fifth last season.
Additionally, Williamson adds that all of last year’s starters return to this year’s squad.
“Mike Zimmer has created this up-and-coming defense in his image. It’s loaded with exceptional young talent at every level. It could be the best in football.”
With players like Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph anchoring the defensive line, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Chad Greenway all back at linebacker, Xavier Rhodes at one corner and Harrison Smith at a safety spot, the Vikings’ defense is built to be great with talented players at every level.
