Vikings at Bears Defense

DEFENSE

(by Travis Aune MSU Founder)

DE Everson Griffen

     A-

Griffen continued his excellent start of his 2017 season with a strip sack that was recovered by Linval Joseph that led to a touchdown. The sack, which was his sixth of the year is the epitome of what this defense is all about.  In the game along with the sack, Griffen also had two tackles for loss.  So far this season he has pretty much been unblockable.

DT Tom Johnson 

     C+

Johnson has been excellent this season, but Monday he was just ok getting three tackles with no tackles for loss.  He has helped stop the run, for the most part, this season.  Last Monday he didn't do anything to change the game.

DT Linval Joseph

  A-

Joseph has been outstanding this year, and that continued Monday Night.  Joseph had a team-high six tackles to go with a fumble recovery for the Vikings.   He helped hold the Bears running backs under a hundred yards.  I am thrilled that the Vikings signed Joseph to an extension because he is arguably the best nose guard in the NFL. 

DE Danielle Hunter               

  A-

The fact that Hunter didn't get a sack yet he still got an A for a grade just shows the complete game he had in this one.  Hunter had two solo tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass defense, and a quarterback hit that is what so impressive about Hunter is even when he is not getting sacks he finds a way to make a difference in the game.  Hunter only has two sacks in five games, but can anyone that has watched all the games say that Hunter has not been impactful.  He continually finds a way to help the Vikings, and hopefully, he can keep it going.

LB Anthony Barr

 B

Barr has continued his strong effort as he made steady tackles as he did not miss many tackles.  Barr had four tackles in this game, and his role is different and flexible.  There are times he is close to the line of scrimmage and other times he is doing coverage.  In this game, he also had a tackle for loss and a pass defended.  He had another solid game at the linebacker spot.

LB Eric Kendricks 

B

Kendricks was excellent again in this game as his strong play continued on the season.  Kendricks had five tackles, and a pass defended.  He was continually covering the Bears tight ends and only gave up four catches to tight ends.  He has continued with his excellence in this game.

CB Xavier Rhodes 
  A

Football must be pretty dull for Xavier Rhodes right now because teams are not even going his way.  The last two weeks he has covered Golden Tate of the Lions and Marcus Wheaton of the Bears was a total of nine targets and only completed three of those passes.  He is on the next level when it comes to coverage ability and finds a way to get it done.  It will be interesting to see who Rhodes covers Sunday against the Packers, will it be Jordy Nelson or Davante Adams?

CB Trae Waynes

    A

Waynes had one of his best games of the year in this one.  He came up and made some excellent fundamental tackles against receivers who caught short passes.  That is the key if Trae Waynes are going to give five yards of cushion he needs to make sure tackles.  Trae had six tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass defended.  He needs to keep this up because teams are going to avoid Xavier Rhodes at all costs so that he will have passes thrown his way.

CB Terrance Newman 

      C

Newman did not have an impact on the game as he only had two tackles and no individual plays.  He needs to be more prominent in a game like Sunday as the Packers have Randall Cobb that he can be embarrassed.

S Andrew Sendejo

    B

Sendejo was solid in this game, but not flashy as he collected five tackles.  However, he had a play that has embodied his career so far in that he had a game-sealing interception, but it slipped through his fingers into a touchdown.  Sendejo will be tested Sunday as he will be giving help over the top against the wide receiver that Xavier Rhodes does not cover.

S Harrison Smith 

   A

Smith continues to make plays and establish himself as a top-five safety with a game-saving interception.  He also had three tackles, a tackle for loss, two passes defensed, and a quarterback hurry.  He is the third linebacker and is a big part of stopping the run.