The Vikings 2022 Defense by the Numbers: After Week 13

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Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) warms up during training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

The Minnesota Vikings have 12 games in the books in 2022, with a 10-2 record exiting Week 13.

Rookie head coach Kevin O’Connell won for a 10th time in Week 12, thanks to a nailbiter victory over the then-7-4 New York Jets. Next up, the Vikings hit the road to play the 5-7 Detroit Lions, the ninth seed in the NFC’s evolving playoff picture. Detroit has an 8% of reaching the postseason, per FiveThirtyEight.com.

The Vikings Road to 10-2 Has Them Battle Tested for Playoff Football
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

The Vikings are 2.5-point underdogs on the road against the Lions, who belittled the Jacksonville Jaguars 40-14 at Ford Field on Sunday.

These are the Vikings defensive rankings through Week 13.

Note: With bye weeks underway, all stats are “per game.”


  • 4th in Takeaways
  • 6th in 4th Quarter Points Allowed
  • 7th in Yards per Point Allowed
  • 7th in Fewest Defensive Penalties
  • 9th in Defensive 4th Down Conv %
  • 9th in INT %
  • 12th in Fewest Defensive Penalty Yards
  • 13rd in Defensive 3rd Down Conv %
  • 14th in Rushing Defense DVOA
  • 14th in Passing TDs Allowed
  • 14th in Sacks
  • 15th in Defensive EPA/Play
  • 15th in TDs Allowed
  • 16th in Points per Play Allowed
  • 16th in Rushing Yards Allowed
  • 17th in Yards per Rush Allowed
  • 17th in 1st Half Points Allowed
  • 18th in Defense DVOA
  • 18th in Sack %
  • 18th in Passer Rating Allowed
  • 19th in Rushing TDs Allowed
  • 20th in Redzone TD % Allowed
  • 21st in Points Allowed
  • 24th in Completion % Allowed
  • 25th in 2nd Half Points Allowed
  • 26th in 1st Downs Allowed
  • 30th in Yards per Play Allowed
  • 31st in Yards Allowed
  • 32nd in Yards per Pass Allowed
  • 32nd in Passing Yards Allowed

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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