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How did the Minnesota Vikings defense perform this season? Here, we take a look at various rankings, stats, and information about the Vikings defense throughout the 2023-24 NFL season.
Minnesota lost in week 18, and finished 7-10. The defense was not very good, which was a big problem for Brian Flores and his new defense for much of the second half of the season. Still, it was not the only or main Vikings’ problem this season. So, let’s see how they rank after week 18 of the NFL season.
Table of Contents
Related: Minnesota Vikings Offense Rankings 2023 – Week 18
Minnesota Vikings Defense Rankings 2023 – Final
Here’s where the Vikings defense ranked among other NFL teams, according to various websites. Some use analytical models, others use human judgement, which is obviously still influenced by all sorts of different defensive statistics, along with eye test and human bias.
By the numbers, Minnesota had a disastrous start to the 2023 season. Then week by week they worked themselves into conversation for one of the league’s best. By seasons end however, the Vikings finished in the middle or near the end in most rankings. Let’s take a look.
PFF (70.6) – 25th (Wk 18: 21st)
DVOA (-3.9%) – 11th (Wk 18: 8th)
Defensive Efficiency (55.6) – 17th (Wk 18: 15th)
Sportsnaut – 23rd (Wk 18: 15th)
Related: Nick Mullens Gets Emotional with Reporters After Vikings’ Season Ends in Detroit
Minnesota Vikings Defense – Team Stats
**Through Week 18
Below is how the Vikings defense statistically ranked against the other 31 NFL teams, in points and yards allowed per game. Just like in the main defense rankings the Vikings were ranked pretty high during the middle of the season. But injuries and other causes brought them down to near the middle of the league in these categories.
The Vikings were an absolute juggernaut against the run. And when teams couldn’t run, they would pass, which is mostly why the Vikings ranked near the middle of the pack against opposing pass attacks. Besides the lack of depth at DB, which will be a main need to be filled in the offseason.
Related: 7 Biggest Questions Minnesota Vikings Must Answer This Offseason
Points allowed per game: 19th (21.3) | Wk 18: 12th
Total yards allowed per game: 16th (333.2) | Wk 18: 16th
Passing yards allowed per game: 24th (234.5) | Wk 18: 18th
Rushing yards allowed per game: 8th (98.7) | Wk 18: 9th
Minnesota Vikings Defense – Player Stats
**Through Week 18
Here are the Vikings statistical leaders for key stats like interceptions (Int), pass deflections (PD), forced fumbles (FF), fumble recoveries (FR), sacks (Sk), combined tackles (Comb), solo tackles (Solo), assisted tackles (Ast), tackles for loss (TFL), and quarterback hits (QBHits).
| Player | Pos | G | Int | PD | FF | FR | Sk | Comb | Solo | Ast | TFL | QBHits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camryn Bynum | S | 17 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0.5 | 137 | 94 | 43 | 2 | 1 |
| Jordan Hicks | LB | 13 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1.0 | 107 | 61 | 46 | 4 | 2 |
| Harrison Smith | S | 17 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3.0 | 93 | 60 | 33 | 2 | 6 |
| Josh Metellus | S | 17 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2.5 | 116 | 78 | 38 | 7 | 10 |
| Harrison Phillips | DL | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 92 | 44 | 48 | 2 | 6 |
| Danielle Hunter | OLB | 17 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 16.5 | 83 | 54 | 29 | 23 | 22 |
| Ivan Pace | LB | 17 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2.5 | 102 | 63 | 39 | 2 | 9 |
| Akayleb Evans | CB | 15 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 65 | 49 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Byron Murphy | CB | 14 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | 57 | 43 | 14 | 4 | 0 |
| D.J. Wonnum | OLB | 15 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 8.0 | 62 | 33 | 29 | 7 | 15 |
| Jonathan Bullard | DL | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2.0 | 44 | 24 | 20 | 3 | 2 |
| Mekhi Blackmon | CB | 15 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 41 | 34 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Theo Jackson | S | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Dean Lowry | DL | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Patrick Jones II | OLB | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 31 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 |
| Brian Asamoah | LB | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Marcus Davenport | OLB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Troy Dye | LB | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.0 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| NaJee Thompson | CB | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaquelin Roy | DL | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Sheldon Day | DL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Andre Carter II | OLB | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Andrew DePaola | LS | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Khyiris Tonga | DL | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Jay Ward | S | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Nick Vigil | ILB | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T.J. Smith | DL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Anthony Barr | LB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joejuan Williams | CB | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related: Vikings Land No. 11 Overall Pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Minnesota Vikings Defense – Depth Chart
**Week 18 – Subject to Change
Here is the final depth chart, practice squad and injured reserve list for the Minnesota Vikings defense.
Scheme: Hybrid 3-4
Minnesota Vikings Defense – Coaches
The Vikings defensive coaching staff is made up of the following individuals. The biggest hire of the offseason was new defensive coordinator Brian Flores in an attempt to improve the defense that struggled last season under former defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. The hope now is that they can retain him through the offseason.
Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Flores
Assistant Head Coach: Mike Pettine
Defensive Assistant: Imarjay Albury
Defensive Quality Control: Lance Bennett
Defensive Line: Chris Rumph
Assistant Defensive Line: Patrick Hill
Inside Linebackers: Mike Siravo
Inside Linebackers Assistant: Thad Bogardus
Outside Linebackers: Mike Smith
Assistant Defensive Backs: Michael Hutchings
Defensive Pass Game Coordinator: Daronte Jones
Bookmark this Vikings’ Defense Rankings and Information post! Then, check back after each game for updates!
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