Forget the Quarterback Drama: Minnesota’s Defense Is Carrying the Vikings

Most of the conversation surrounding the Vikings through the first two weeks has been about quarterbacks.

Maybe we’re talking about the wrong side of the football.

Minnesota went into Soldier Field Sunday and beat Chicago 9–3.

No touchdowns.

No offensive explosion.

No heroic performance from Carson Wentz.

Just defense.

And through two weeks, Brian Flores’ unit might be the biggest reason Minnesota is 2–0.

From 59 Points to Three

Chicago entered Sunday’s game coming off one of the most impressive offensive performances of Week 1.

The Bears scored 59 points against Carolina.

Seven days later?

Three.

Minnesota didn’t allow a touchdown.

The Vikings forced two turnovers, recorded four sacks and continually prevented Chicago from finishing drives.

That’s especially impressive considering the Bears actually outgained Minnesota.

Chicago moved the football at times.

It just couldn’t turn those yards into points.

Brian Flores Keeps Finding Answers

The Vikings defense entered the season with legitimate questions after several personnel changes.

So far, Flores has answered them.

Minnesota pressured Chicago’s quarterbacks throughout the afternoon and came up with big plays when they mattered most.

None was bigger than Dallas Turner’s sack on the final play.

Chicago had driven into Minnesota territory with one final opportunity to steal the game.

Turner ended it.

That’s what good defenses do.

Aaron Jones Did Just Enough

Minnesota’s offense wasn’t impressive, but Aaron Jones deserves some credit.

Jones carried the ball 23 times for 105 yards, providing Minnesota with something resembling consistency on an afternoon when neither offense could get much going.

Wentz finished with 143 passing yards and no touchdowns.

Justin Jefferson caught only three passes.

And the Vikings never reached the end zone.

Usually that isn’t a recipe for winning an NFL game.

Sunday it was.

Winning Ugly Still Counts

There won’t be many Vikings fans rushing to rewatch this one.

But Minnesota is 2–0.

More importantly, both victories have come against NFC North opponents.

Week 1 showed that Minnesota can rally when things go wrong.

Week 2 showed the Vikings can win an ugly defensive battle.

Eventually, the offense will need to produce more than nine points.

But until then, Minnesota has something every team would love to have:

A defense capable of winning games on its own.

Maybe it’s time we start talking about that instead of who’s playing quarterback.