Minnesota Vikings Week 12 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings gave away another game on Monday night. This time, it was a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. The Vikings offense was terrible. The Vikings defense was great. With apologies to tight end T.J. Hockenson, the only Vikings players of note in this game were defensive players. That happens when the offense gives the ball away four times. 

Defensive Players of the Game

Danielle Hunter, OLB

Danielle Hunter should be in every discussion for Defensive Player of the Year. This has been his best season. He’s been terrific in every game. 

Against the Bears:

1.5 sacks

9 tackles

2 tackles for loss

1 forced fumble

He might’ve had four or five sacks if Justin Fields wasn’t allowed great leniency with intentional grounding. 

D.J. Wonnum, OLB

Over the past month, D.J. Wonnum has been playing the best of his four years in Minnesota. He’s been an excellent compliment to Hunter. His biggest plays against the Bears were getting his hands, face, and chest on Fields passes. If his reactions were a bit quicker, he might’ve had a couple interceptions and opportunities to return them for scores. 

Josh Metellus, Everywhere

Josh Metellus plays everywhere. With each game, he seems to get more comfortable playing everywhere. Blitzing, playing the run, in coverage. He’s doing so much in this defense crafted by Brian Flores. While Hunter is the best player on this rapidly improving defense, Metellus might be the most important player.

Sheldon Day, DL

When Dean Lowry went on injured reserve last week, Sheldon Day was elevated from the practice squad. He got his opportunity. Day probably made more impact plays in his 21 snaps against the Bears than Lowry had made all season. Day had three tackles, one tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery. It was his recovery of a Fields fumble that triggered the Vikings touchdown drive. 

I could keep listing players as Ivan Pace Jr., Mekhi Blackmon, Byron Murphy Jr., Harrison Phillips, and others made big plays throughout the game. Plays that, in total, kept the Bears out of the end zone. This Vikings defense is very much a team defense. They are fun to watch and they are getting better with each game. If the Vikings are to go on another five-game win streak, they’ll need the defense to do what their doing while the offense gets it’s shit together.