The Minnesota Vikings have had quite the start to the 2016 season. Defying all expectations, the team is undefeated after three weeks. Much of their success can be attributed to their defense. This shouldn’t be a surprise, however, and with a bye week coming up, I must offer a public service announcement: Would all fantasy leagues that utilize “Can’t Cut” lists please add the Vikings defense to theirs.
“Are they for real?”
It’s a question a plurality of fantasy owners are consistently asking about the Vikings defense. It’s understandable that Denver, Seattle, and Carolina all get the fantasy attention prior to the season. This defense is not pulling a rabbit out of the hat and this shouldn’t be that much of a surprise.
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Vikings head coach and former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer started from the bottom, and now he’s here. The Vikings allowed the most points in the NFL in 2013. Zimmer was subsequently hired, and the Vikings allowed the 11th fewest points in the 2014 season. Last year? The Vikings had the fourth-best red zone defense and allowed the fifth fewest points. Since 2014, the Vikings are second in the NFL in sacks (99) behind Denver (105). This is not an X-File for Mulder and Scully. This is a trend.
It starts up front. Sharrif Floyd, Linval Joseph, and Danielle Hunter are talented linemen that create havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Hunter, in particular, might be one of the biggest up and coming stars. Last season Hunter recorded six sacks. Not bad for a rookie. Thus far in 2016 Hunter has a sack in every game including a returned touchdown and a safety. As a team, the Vikings have recorded 15 sacks in three games.
Marcus Mariota, Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton all threw an interception against the Vikings. Trae Waynes picked off both Rodgers and Newton, and now he has an interception in three of his last four games. None of the quarterbacks topped 275 yards passing. Only Mariota had more than one passing touchdown.
Over the next six games, the Vikings face Eli Manning, Brock Osweiler, Carson Wentz, Brian Hoyer, Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins. The furthest the Vikings have to travel between now and December 11th (nine games) is Washington D.C., which is just under a two and a half hour flight. By appearances, I’d say the Vikings defense has a good shot to continue it’s red hot start to the season.
The only thing that might stop the Vikings defense over that time period is an unfortunately timed bye during Week 6. Even with shallow benches, the Vikings defense cannot be dropped. The Vikings are filling the stat sheet in every category this season, and it appears they’ve only just begun.
In Yahoo! PPR leagues with standard defensive scoring, the Vikings defense has more fantasy points than A.J. Green, LeSean McCoy, or T.Y. Hilton. Only nine quarterbacks in four-point passing touchdown leagues have outscored the Vikings defense. The closest defense to the Vikings is averaging nearly six points per game less (Kansas City Chiefs).
The Vikings defense is arguably the MVP of fantasy football thus far. Their defense is in the top 10 for points allowed, rushing yards, passing yards and turnovers forced. Football Outsiders ranks Minnesota as the third best defense in DVOA. So if you’re thinking of cutting bait with this defense at the bye week, just remember that the smartest fantasy moves are the ones you don’t end up doing. Streaming defenses is for those that didn’t strike gold. If you own the Vikings defense, there’s a good chance fantasy gold will be yours by year’s end.
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Matt Giraldi is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Matt, check out his archive or follow him@Mgiraldi.