The Minnesota Vikings defence is playing brilliantly, and Brian Flores’ team deserves the biggest share of credit for their victory over the New York Jets in London on Sunday morning. The variety of ways Minnesota’s defence can defeat you is what makes it so strong. Stephon Gilmore’s arrival in the secondary has provided them the lockdown corner they sorely lacked in 2023.
At safety, Minnesota has arguably the most talented group of any team in the NFL. Between future HOF, Harrison Smith, blossoming star Cam Bynum, and hybrid safety Josh Metellus, talent is literally overflowing out of that room.
On the interior defensive line, we’ve seen Harrison Phillips reach a new gear, as the Vikings piece together the rest of the interior around him. But where the most production and noticeable change has taken place is at linebacker.
Inside, Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr, and now Kamu Grugier-Hill, have proven themselves more than capable, at the position. That may not seem like high praise, but “more than capable” is not something that was guaranteed, entering the season with three new starters from last year, plus a sophomore UDFA overachiever.
But one of the most noticeable defensive positions of impact so far this season has been at the outside linebacker or EDGE rusher position, for the Minnesota Vikings hybrid 3-4 defense. Mainly, Andrew Van-Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard.
It’s that EDGE tandem that might deserve more credit for Sunday’s win vs the Jets than any other position group on the roster. Had it not been for a 1st quarter pick-six, Van Ginkel’s night would have looked less than pedestrian on paper. The boxscore shows just one assisted tackle, in the entire contest.
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