4th straight rushing D title is within Vikes reach

The Vikings are currently ranked only 4th in the NFL in run defense, behind the Steelers, Packers, and Bengals...but the margin tightened up significantly this past week...

Pittsburgh has now yielded 1104 rushing yards, followed by GB at 1105, Cincinnati at 1123, and Minnesota at 1130. That's only 26 rushing yards separating the top four.

Green Bay and Pittsburgh square off against each other this coming week. The Vikings have a tough draw against Carolina, but with Matt Moore still QBing the Panthers, the Vikings might be able to focus just a bit more on stopping the Panthers ground game than usual. The next week, the Vikings will face the Bears anemic ground attack (dead last in teh league) before finishing up with another tough draw vs. the Giants.

The Bengals get SD next week, before hosting the Chiefs but ending in a tough draw on the road at the Jets (the #1 rushing team in the league). The Packers finish at home vs Seattle and on the road vs Arizona. Pittsburgh finished against Baltimore (#8 rushing) and at Miami (#3 rushing). The Packers would seemingly be the favorite in this race (facing #16, #26, and #28 rush offenses), but maybe if the Steelers and Packers can whip up on each other running the ball this week, and the Vikings can hold the Panthers to around 90 total yards on the ground, a 4th straight rush defense title will be there for the taking.

This is an awesome post...thanks Pat. I had no idea they were this close. Definitely keeps things interesting down the stretch as we've locked our playoff spot.

Thanks for posting man

I didn't realize we were in the top 5

Pat has definitely been playing much better lately

For awhile there it seemed as if he wasn't getting off his double teams (hard to ask of anyone) but he has been blowing up plays regularely lately

What is "Rushing D"?

C Mac D wrote:

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What is "Rushing D"?

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When your Defense scoops up a fumble and runs with it.

Duh! :woohoo:

ultravikingfan wrote:

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C Mac D wrote:

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What is "Rushing D"?

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When your Defense scoops up a fumble and runs with it.

Duh! :woohoo:

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No, I think he means Russian Dressing.

We are currently 4th in opponents Rushing yd avg per game-86.9, 1st is Pitt with 84.9, We're always near the top for this category (Lately that is) Even if we don't come out 1st in the end-A top 5 in run D is still great!

Yesterday was our 36th game in a row without giving up 100yds to an opposing runner, That is unbelievable considering who we play twice a year Grant, Forte, and have faced Gore, Benson, Jackson, Ray Rice, Mendenhall, etc. (Wasn't someone saying KWill was underrated??-lol)

If we can keep up the fantastic run D that we're accustomed to, And play the pass like yesterday the rest of the season-We are looking GOOD! Arizona Smarizona, that game is a distant memory now, We can focus on yesterday's game and find many positive aspects, Nothing like coming back from a bad loss than dominating a 9-3 team.

26 yards is nothing.
However, if the Vikings get the bye week before the Giant come to town, methinks plenty of starters will be on the sidelines resting and healing for the playoffs.

XTAP59 wrote:

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26 yards is nothing.
However, if the Vikings get the bye week before the Giant come to town, methinks plenty of starters will be on the sidelines resting and healing for the playoffs.

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Hope not. If the Vikings have a bye week we need to play all of our starters in week 17. Two weeks off is not a good thing.

Keep the starters in, play conservative football.

I would love for Winfield to have an additional week to heal 100%, as well any other player nicked up. I know the story on NBC last night about teams resting and teams playing and who faired better, but, I would like to see Favre rested, Peterson, berrian, Harvin, Pat and Kevin, etc,