Vikings D severely overvalued - or is it? (1 Viewer)

[Phrenchdude]

In most leagues they rank in the bottom tier in scoring, with only 6 picks, 6 sacks (Jared Allen where have you gone?), 4 Forced Fumbles, and one defensive TD, they've been outscored by other average-at-best Defenses such as the Colts, the Fins, the Browns, the 49ers, etc..

Yet somehowe their reputation remains pretty high:

CBS continues to consider them a low-end #1 defense every week (#8-12)

ESPN's Tristan Cockcroft continues to list them as the #5 Defense for the remainder of the year

FootballGuy's.com's Dood/Henry still consider them the #8 defense for the remainder of the season

FootballGuys.com's own Clayton Gray backs that up by considering their remaining schedule as one of the top 8's most attractive, with soft matchups like Detroit, Buffalo, Arizona, Chicago (twice) and Washington.

Yet after 7 weeks of pretty sub-par performance, and with their offense lacking efficiency (AP where have you gone?), the Defense is being left on the field quite a bit.

So are they worth holding on to for a late season rebound or better to dump them for whatever's available on the WW each week (Chargers, Eagles (BYE), Falcons (BYE))?

 

[RushHour]

I think perceptions die hard, and it's easier to continue ranking them really high than to rank them down the bottom and look like an idiot if they finally turn it around. It's the old question though of at what point in the new season you throw out what happened last season and believe what this season's stats say. Some people have a hard time believing Peyton Hillis is a top-10 fantasy RB but he is.

Watching the Vikings, their pass rush is non-existent, they don't seem to have playmakers in the secondary, and outside of Harvin, their special teams aren't all that special. All that adds up to a pretty mediocre defense fantasy-wise, despite the talent and reputation. I wouldn't hold onto them if you think there are better performing teams on the waiver wire.

 

[Steed]

You gotta hold onto them for the 2 Chicago match-ups alone. They might see 12 sacks between the two.

 

[Phrenchdude]

You gotta hold onto them for the 2 Chicago match-ups alone. They might see 12 sacks between the two.

not to mention interceptions with the QB play, doesnt matter if they field the local community college secondary.but then surely there are other better Defenses that can do similar jobs: Why wouldnt the Lions D do just as well against the Bears?

 

[Limp Ditka]

Combined with the STs, I think they're a hold based solely on Harvin returning punts.

 

[basher]

Probably a hold steady but they do not get turnovers and do not get home on sacks (kinda surprising) ... they for the most part are a sure tackling team that doesn't give up a lot of big plays.

 

[The_Fonz]

Dropped to WW in my league today. I am having the same problem with the Ravens D - Keep holding on waiting for a good week.....at least reed is back.