–The Vikings rank sixth in the NFL in total yardage defensively, allowing only 327.8 yards per game to opponents. More specifically, Minnesota ranks ninth in pass defense and seventh in rushing defense, boasting one of the more complete units in the NFL.
A deep and talented defensive line lies at the center of Minnesota’s defensive dominance, led by defensive end Danielle Hunter and ex-Seahawk defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. Hunter, 24, ranks fifth in the league with 11.5 sacks, while Richardson has been disruptive in the interior with 14 quarterback hits and 3.5 sacks of his own.
“They’re doing great. All the guys up front, the guys that have played, they know the game,” Carroll said. “They mask what they’re doing exceedingly well. They’re fast, they’re athletic and the experience really makes them really difficult.”
The Vikings also bolstered depth up front by re-signing defensive tackle Tom Johnson, who the Seahawks released after Week 1 with a need for roster space at other positions. In nine games since returning to Minnesota, he’s recorded 3.5 sacks and five quarterback hits in a reserve role.
–Kirk Cousins has thrown for over 300 yards in six games this season and ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in total passing yardage, touchdowns, and completion percentage. But even though the Vikings currently rank 30th in the league in rushing yards per game, Carroll sees plenty of talent in the backfield with the duo of Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray.
“Their running attack, they’ve got good runners. Dalvin (Cook), he’s really good. Latavius (Murray), he’s really good. They’ve got big-time strike ability, they’re both averaging over four yards a carry,” Carroll stated. “Last week, they averaged almost eight yards a carry in the game (against the Patriots). It’s just a really loaded up team that they can go either way; they can run it or they can throw it.”
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has publicly expressed disdain about the team’s lack of rushing attempts, especially after Minnesota ran well against New England and still only rushed the ball 13 times. Expecting an increased emphasis on the ground game from their opponent, Carroll indicated the Seahawks will “start where they always start” and prioritize stopping the run defensively.
–Carroll and Zimmer, who each worked their way up to being head coaches as successful NFL defensive coordinators, each have been coaching in the league for 25 years. And according to Carroll, the similarities don’t stop there.
“He’s, more recently, been involved with running the defense – all the great years that he had in Cincinnati,” Carroll said. “My years of totally being in charge of the defense are a little bit farther removed. Most defensive guys, they’re going to emphasize playing tough on defense, they’re going to emphasize getting after you, they want to run the football – that’s kind of the way most of us have been brought up. I think we’re similar in that regard.”
Under Zimmer’s leadership, the Vikings have been built similarly to Carroll’s Seahawks teams, aiming to establish the line of scrimmage with strong running games, get after opposing quarterbacks, and create turnovers in bunches. While they’re not total carbon copies, Monday’s clash should feature two talented, physical football teams with very similar playing styles and similar coaching ideologies.
BY THE NUMBERS: 13.3 – Percentage of quarterback Russell Wilson’s completions that have resulted in touchdowns this season, second behind only Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs.
