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The Vikings' defense doesn't need statistics to substantiate the improvements it's made from seasons past. But several players and coordinator George O'Leary were disappointed when informed of their NFL ranking. After rating fourth overall after two games, the Vikings have slipped over the past four weeks, dropping to seventh, 10th, 19th and now 21st.
"Dang, 21?" Vikings linebacker Henri Crockett asked. "That surprises
me."
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The numbers don't lie, but they might be misleading. NFL Tickets
O'Leary said the Vikings' defense has been cursed by the team's overall success.
The Vikings have held the lead entering the fourth quarter in every game this
season, including large ones against the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco
49ers. To protect the leads, the Vikings have shifted to a more conservative
defensive scheme, often employing a "soft zone," which is designed
to deny quick touchdowns.
"That doesn't bother me because I'm not big on stats," O'Leary said.
"But what's happened to us is, we've given up a bunch of yards in the fourth,
when we were ahead by a couple of touchdowns. Overall, I look at how productive
we are when we need to be."
Several players also said the defense's ranking, which is based on total yards
given up, would be significantly higher if not for passing yardage piled up
by opponents in what's often called "garbage time," when teams are
pressing to score.
The numbers support the Vikings' claim. Opposing quarterbacks have racked up
44.2 percent of their net passing yards (512 of 1,158) in the fourth quarter.
The three worst cases were against the Packers (114), 49ers (146) and Atlanta
Falcons (168). If the Vikings could have cut those fourth-quarter passing yards
by one-third (170 yards), their defense would be ranked ninth overall, one spot
ahead of the Baltimore Ravens. NFL Tickets
Defensive tackle Chris Hovan said he's not worried about the Vikings' ranking
because of the fourth-quarter yardage they've given up. But he added that the
Vikings must do a better job late in games.
"We have to learn how to finish. That comes with pass rush and coverage,"
he said. "We're getting the wins, but we need to finish better on defense
and close the door on our opponents."
Strong safety Corey Chavous said the defense needs to stop giving offenses the
"cheap plays." NFL Tickets
"Ten to 15 yards here and there adds up," he said. "Late in the
game, we need to do a better job defensively of making tackles."
But coach Mike Tice said he's fine with the scheme O'Leary has been employing
in the fourth quarter.
"I feel comfortable with George playing more zone in the fourth knowing
that we're not going to let them have a quick score, which nobody has had,"
Tice said.
Tice doesn't consider passing yards given up one of his "critical variables."
Instead, he emphasizes turnover differential, a stat that his team, with the
help of the defense, leads the league in. The Vikings are tied with the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks with a net difference of plus 10. Just as
important, the Vikings' defense has six of its league-high 13 interceptions
in the fourth quarter, and one fumble recovery. NFL Tickets
Tice put some of the blame for the team's fourth-quarter concerns on the run
offense for not generating enough yardage.
"I've told the offense, we've got to be able to run the ball when we want
to run the ball," he said.
But Vikings free safety Brian Russell doesn't take Tice's comments as a consolation.
He noted instead a sign that hangs in the Vikings' defensive meeting room. It
reads, "'Strive on a daily basis to be the No. 1 defense in the NFL."
"Our goal is to be No. 1," he said. "We take a lot of pride in
our defense. In all of our minds, we're a strong defense. But we also know we
need to get better."