5 burning questions the Vikings must answer in 2019

3. Is the Vikings’ defense on the decline?

While quarterback Case Keenum (now a member of the Washington Redskins) was the headliner for an NFC North title and a 13-3 season in 2017, it was a staunch Minnesota Vikings’ defensive unit that was the consistent factor throughout that year. That’s not to take anything away from the former undrafted free-agent signal-caller, who certainly had his magical moments that season. But Mike Zimmer is one of the better defensive minds in the game and his brainchild paved the way for a big year.

That season, no team in the league allowed fewer total yards or points than the Purple Gang. The Vikings ranked second in the NFL against both the run and the pass and the club allowed only 23 offensive touchdowns in 16 regular-season contests. Of course, the playoffs proved to be quite different for the club as Minnesota allowed a combined 62 points and watched both Drew Brees (Saints) and Nick Foles (Eagles) each throw three touchdown passes along the way.

This past year, only three teams in the NFL surrendered more total yards per game and only the Bills and Jaguars allowed more yards through the air. But the Vikings slumped to 15th in the league against the run and allowed five more offensive TDs (28) than in ’17. This despite rolling up 50 sacks and totaling 20 takeaways.

So has the league solved Zimmer’s unit? A year ago, it appeared this group was still reeling from that 38-7 loss in the NFC title game at Philadelphia. The Vikings allowed 12 offensive touchdowns in their first five outings and just 16 such scores in their final 11 contests. On the decline? That may be a little strong at this point.

Next: No. 2