Things trended upward for the Minnesota Vikings’ defense in 2015. Their overall yardage-allowed total remained almost the same from 2014 (344.7) to 2015 (344.2), but in points allowed they jumped from 11th (21.4) in 2014 to 5th (18.9).
The Vikings made good strides last year in third-down and red zone defense. Their best players, Harrison Smith and Anthony Barr, became near-elite. Veterans Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen were solid, while younger players like Eric Kendricks and Danielle Hunter showed great promise.
And of course Mike Zimmer isn’t close to being satisfied.