Save the Minnesota Vikings to My PFM and choose the email updates you want. Your email is how you sign in to My PFM.
Minnesota's quarterback problem is now impossible to hide behind the defense. Carson Wentz completed 8 of 25 passes for 81 yards, committed three turnovers and finished with an 8.9 passer rating against a Buffalo defense that had struggled against the pass. Brian Flores' defense kept the game alive deep into the fourth quarter anyway. The Vikings are 6-2 because that defense is elite; the offense is now the clear threat to wasting it.
Minnesota took a sizable step back after a 23-6 loss to Buffalo. Recent Performance, Offense Strength, Explosiveness, Franchise Direction, and Coaching Direction declined after the Vikings produced minus-0.752 EPA per play and finished minus-two in turnovers.
Minnesota is a dominant defense attached to an offense searching for a quarterback answer. Brian Flores can pressure elite quarterbacks and keep games close for three quarters, but Carson Wentz's 81-yard night showed how little the offense can contribute when Kyler Murray is unavailable. Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones cannot fix throws that never arrive on time. The Vikings' identity will remain defense first until the quarterback play becomes functional.
Brian Flores' defense held Buffalo to three points for most of the first half and kept the Vikings alive until late. Carson Wentz gave that effort almost nothing in return. Minnesota needs Kyler Murray healthy or a backup plan that can complete routine throws and protect the ball. The defense is good enough to contend; the quarterback floor is low enough to undo it.
Minnesota owns one of the tougher remaining roads in the league because Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons form the hardest part of it. PFM has the schedule No. 6 with an opponent average of 81.0 and 4 games against current top-10 teams. The road is not difficult from start to finish, but the stretch around Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons leaves little room for an off week.
Toughest remaining opponent: San Francisco 49ers at 89.4 PFM.
Shared profile: Defense and QB Stability.
Minnesota builds its defense around disguised pressure and changing fronts, while Pittsburgh gets to a similar place through front-four pressure. That means Minnesota can change the protection picture without sending extra rushers every snap, while Pittsburgh can rush four and still force the quarterback off schedule. Offense is the main separator because Pittsburgh has a stronger answer through the run game and play action after a defense removes the preferred call.
Minnesota Vikings sits 4th in the division, 7.9 PFM points from Detroit.
Badge ended: Giant Killer.
Badge ended: Hot Streak.
See the current Minnesota Vikings depth chart across offense, defense and special teams.
Minnesota's live roster lists only one player at defensive tackle, leaving the interior front unusually thin even with nose tackle depth. Adding a true defensive tackle is the clearest way to protect the defense against attrition.
Kyler Murray is Minnesota’s current starter with Carson Wentz as his backup, leaving the Vikings dependent on veteran quarterback answers rather than a younger successor. Adding a developmental passer would give the club a longer-term plan without confusing the present depth chart with a young-quarterback competition.
Byron Murphy is the established corner, but Minnesota's outside depth behind him is young and unsettled. Another cover player would help a defense that otherwise grades as one of the team's strengths.
6,399 F-S value
R1 No. 28 · R2 No. 59 · R3 No. 70 · R3 No. 90 · R5 No. 156 · …
Minnesota has made 4 trips to the Super Bowl without a championship.
