There are unsurprisingly many superlatives for the Minnesota Vikings after their impressive 3-0 start. To no one’s surprise, chief among them is the play of their quarterback.
But there are other keys to their success, too.
Here’s a closer look at three stats that tell a big part of the Vikings’ story so far in 2024.
3 Stats That Explain the Vikings’ 3-0 Start
Stat: Sam Darnold’s Passer Rating Versus the Blitz – 158.3
No opponent in 2024 has been able to stymie Vikings’ quarterback Sam Darnold. He leads the NFL in passing touchdowns with eight, is second in passer rating at 117.3, and is fourth in yards per attempt at 8.4.
The NFL leader in TD passes: Sam Darnold 👑 pic.twitter.com/LFV9dAQ3n9
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 22, 2024
The first step in slowing down Darnold, at least when he’s playing for Kevin O’Connell, is to stop blitzing him. When teams have sent five or more rushers after Darnold, he’s made them pay. On 14 such dropbacks this season, Darnold is 10 of 12 for 189 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, good enough for a passer rating of 158.3, which is perfect.
Stat: Vikings Defense Has 5 Sacks in Each of the First Three Games
The Vikings are the first team with five or more sacks in three straight games to begin a season since the 2001 New Orleans Saints.
One challenging aspect of mitigating the Vikings’ pass-rush scheme is the varying ways defensive coordinator is dialing up the pressure. Minnesota ranks second in sacks when sending five or more rushers, recording six in those scenarios. At the same time, the Vikings are tied for first in sacks with 10 when using four or fewer rushers.
With 5.0 sacks vs. Houston on Sunday, Minnesota became the first team with 5.0 sacks in three straight games to begin a season since the 2001 New Orleans Saints. pic.twitter.com/gZt4GTrn8j
— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) September 23, 2024
Stat: 11 Penalties (Five False Starts) Against Houston on Sunday
Whether watching from home or in the stands, it was clear noise was a factor inside U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. The Texans were penalized 11 times on the day, compared to the Vikings’ five. The false starts and procedural penalties incurred by Houston only empowered the home crowd to make more noise and the Vikings’ defense to gain more confidence.
Houston’s offense did not score on any drive in which it incurred a penalty.
"They've got to worry about the crowd, us and the scheme." – @JonGreenard7 pic.twitter.com/0DZHN4ivAS
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 23, 2024