Our 2020 Defense

WHY CAN’T THE VIKINGS DEFENSE CLOSE OUT A GAME?

Three last-second losses wear on a team, but also gives them a learning opportunity. In each win, there have been similarities that the Vikings can look at and improve upon going forward.

The first is experience. A lot of the players the Vikings are relying upon were considered to be either backups or projects who will get better with time. If the Vikings had Danielle Hunter or Michael Pierce on the defensive line, there’s a chance Tannehill, Wilson and Dalton have less time to make the throw, which allows the linebackers to play back and the safeties to be more aggressive.

There’s also the matter of the cornerbacks earning their stripes. Dantzler has been a scapegoat in a pair of these two-minute drills, but it’s another thing that should get better as he gets experience and knows how to handle these situations.

But the most prevalent theme is that the Vikings have allowed their opponents to set themselves up for success with chunk plays. The Titans did it with a five-play stretch before the two-minute warning. Russell Wilson did it by using his own experience to extend plays for big gains. Lamb did it with a big punt return.

With losses like this, the Vikings are letting their own momentum slip away. It’s something that needs to be shored up as soon as possible.