EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — As tough as it might be, Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer wants his defense to be even better in 2018.
Minnesota ranked first in the NFL in points (15.8) and yards (275.9) allowed per game, and the unit also posted the league’s top third-down rate at 25.2 percent.
The Vikings defense had one new starter in 2017 in rookie linebacker Ben Gedeon, while mainstays such as defensive end Everson Griffen, defensive tackle Linval Joseph, linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, cornerback Xavier Rhodes and safeties Harrison Smith and Andrew Sendejo stayed intact as key members of the unit.