The Z-Fense

The Vikings’ defense currently ranks first in the NFL in third down conversion percentage, with opposing teams obtaining a new set of downs on only 25% of third down opportunities. For context, that third down stop percentage doesn’t just rank first this year; it would rank first for any team in the past 25 years.

Quarterbacks passing against the Vikings’ third-down defense have gone 26/57 for two touchdowns, three interceptions and six sacks, good for a passer rating of just 48.4, and averaging out to only 4.4 yards per pass. Rushers fare even worse, going for 3.7 yards per carry and just a 22% third down conversion percentage.

Mike Zimmer has forged a career out of stopping opposing offenses on third downs. This post dives into what he’s doing to have such historic success.

Edge rushers


Chris Wesseling: Calais Campbell, Jacksonville Jaguars and Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings. The first player since Justin Houston in 2014 to record at least 10 sacks in the season's first seven games, the well-rounded Campbell also leads the league in tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. It doesn't matter who your left tackle is -- he had better get some help from a chip blocker, or it's a going to a long afternoon against Griffen's relentless speed rush, bull rush and spin move. Griffen is the beating heart of the NFL's most disruptive defensive line, also featuring run-stuffer Linval Joseph and emerging star Danielle Hunter.

Matt Harmon: Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings and Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys. Feel free to get upset at this statement, but Griffen has been the most dominant player in the NFL this season. His 45 pressures currently lead the NFL by a wide-margin, and he should be squarely in the Defensive Player of the Year discussion. It was tougher to nail down the second spot, but Lawrence's early-season dominance earns him the nod. His 16.0 percent pressure rate ranks fifth among defenders with 100-plus pass rush attempts.

Safeties


Wesseling: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings and Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks. Smith recently authored a phenomenal seven-day stretch, sealing the Vikings' Week 5 victory over the Bears with an instinctual interception of Mitchell Trubisky before notching 1.5 sacks and a spectacular diving pick in the Week 6 win over the Packers. There's no weakness in his game. A future Hall of Famer with a career-long penchant for game-changing plays, Thomas has been Johnny-on-the-spot for Seattle's defense this season. I'd be remiss if I failed to mention Buffalo's playmaking duo of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, a pair of under-the-radar free-agent acquisitions anchoring Sean McDermott's stingy secondary.

Harmon: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings and Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills. Smith is one of the many studs littering the Vikings' defense. Opposing teams have attempted just one pass down the deep middle of the field against Minnesota, and the team ranks inside the top five in passer rating allowed in the intermediate middle. Hyde is just the latest veteran work of art by pass-defense miracle-worker Sean McDermott. The Bills give up a 26.9 percent completion rate on deep passes.

Defensive back


Wesseling: Glover Quin, Detroit Lions. A converted cornerback, Quin combines sticky coverage with advanced ball skills, top-notch instincts and bone-jarring run support. Other defensive backs flashing All-Pro ability: Xavier Rhodes of the Vikings, Jason McCourty of the Browns, Aqib Talib of the Broncos, Patrick Peterson of the Cardinals, A.J. Bouye of the Jaguars, Casey Hayward of the Chargers and Malcolm Jenkins of the Eagles.

Harmon: Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota Vikings. The top-notch cornerback started off 2017 with a bang in two shadow coverage games. Rhodes covered Antonio Brown on 71.4 percent of the Steeler receiver's pass plays in Week 2, allowing just three catches for 28 yards on eight targets. Rhodes followed that up by giving up just five catches for 53 yards on nine targets to the Buccaneers' Mike Evans in Week 3. He's earned his "Rhodes Closed" nickname with no touchdowns allowed on the year.

Defensive end: Everson Griffen, Minnesota Vikings

Perhaps an overlooked standout relative to other pass-rushers around the league, Griffen has been as consistent of a player as there is in the league this year on defense. He has at least one sack in all eight of Minnesota's games this season for a total of 10.0. He's forceful at the point of attack and a relentless rusher.

Cornerback: Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota Vikings

Much like Peterson, Rhodes has eliminated opposing top wide receivers. He has unique length for the position and excellent speed. He's physical and tough, a requirement to play cornerback for Mike Zimmer. The "Rhodes Closed" mantra he lives by is an accurate one.

Safety: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

Smith does it all for the Vikings' secondary, as he has terrific on-ball production in the passing game this season with three interceptions and six passes defensed, while also flexing versatility. He has 1.5 sacks and 43 tackles as the quarterback of a secondary that has helped lead Minnesota to the top of the NFC North.