The Vikings 2022 Defense by the Numbers: After Week 1

The Vikings 2022 Defense by the Numbers: After Week 1
Ed Donatell

The Minnesota Vikings sprinted to a winning start in Week 1, logging a 1-0 record heading into Week 2.

New head coach Kevin O’Connell won his first career game, dominating the Green Bay Packers 23-7 in Minneapolis. The Vikings travel to Philadelphia Eagles for Monday Night Football in Week 2.

Leaguewide Reactions for the Jalen Reagor Trade to Vikings
Dec 26, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jalen Reagor. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports.

The Vikings are 2.5-point underdogs versus the Eagles, even though national opinion of Minnesota skyrocketed after defeating the Packers in Week 1.

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These are the Vikings defensive rankings through Week 1.


  • 1st in Fewest Defensive Penalties
  • 1st in Fewest Defensive Penalty Yards
  • 1st in 1st-Half Points Allowed
  • 2nd in Points Allowed
  • 2nd in Yards per Point Allowed
  • 2nd in TDs Allowed
  • 3rd in Points per Play Allowed
  • 4th in Defensive EPA/Play
  • 4th in Turnover Differential
  • 5th in Defensive Redzone TD %
  • 5th in Sacks
  • 7th in Takeaways
  • 8th in Passer Rating Allowed
  • 8th in Sack %
  • 10th in 2nd-Half Points Allowed
  • 10th in Defensive 3rd Down Conv %
  • 10th in Yards per Pass Attempt Allowed
  • 12th in Passing Defense DVOA
  • 14th in Yards Allowed
  • 17th in Yards per Play Allowed
  • 17th in Passing Yards Allowed
  • 18th in Defensive DVOA
  • 18th in Rushing Yards Allowed
  • 20th in Completion % Allowed
  • 21st in 1st Downs Allowed
  • 23rd in 1st Downs per Play Allowed
  • 28th in Rushing Yards per Attempt Allowed
  • 29th in Rushing Defense DVOA

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).



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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker