Vikings defense has picked up from where it left off in 2020

Mike Zimmer’s club was a big disappointment a year ago after reaching the playoffs in 2019. It looks like the 2021 Minnesota Vikings are the same issues.

Mike Zimmer became head coach at the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. The team finished a disappointing 7-9 during his debut in the Twin Cities but a year later, the club finished atop the NFC North. They followed up that playoff appearance with an 8-2 showing in 2016 — this after the club opened the year with five straight wins.

But in 2017, the Vikings not only won another division title but finished 13-3 reached the conference championship game – falling to the Eagles. A season later, an 8-7-1 finish wasn’t good enough to reach the postseason. But in 2019, there was a 10-6 record and an overtime Wild Card win at New Orleans.

But just when some thought Zimmer’s team could build on that moderate success, it all came apart in 2020. And while quarterback Kirk Cousins has been a popular target for criticism, it was Zimmer’s pride and joy which completely came apart.

After allowing just 303 points and 31 offensive touchdowns in 2019, the Vikings permitted a whopping 475 points and 49 offensive touchdowns a year ago.  Led by Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook and then-rookie wideout Justin Jefferson, the Purple Gang had few problems moving the ball.

Minnesota ranked fourth in the league in total yards per game and totaled 55 offensive touchdowns. That wasn’t enough to offset a defensive unit that allowed the fifth-most total yards and rushing yards in the NFL and was 25th vs. the pass.

Things were supposed to be better this season but early on, it hasn’t transpired. Standout pass rusher Danielle Hunter is back after missing all of 2020 and the team added standout interior defender Dalvin Tomlinson.

Some of the team’s younger defenders have yet to make an impression. It adds up to a 0-2 start in which the Vikings have put 57 points on the board and allowed 61 in narrow losses to the Bengals (27-24 in OT) and Cardinals (34-33), respectively.

The Vikings host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The team has yet to solve quarterback Russell Wilson. Including a playoff win in 2015, he owns a 7-0 record as a starter vs. the Purple Gang. He’s thrown 14 touchdown passes compared to only four interceptions in those contests. Pete Carroll’s team has scored 58 points in two games this season. Stay tuned.