Cornerback Xavier Rhodes executed perfect press coverage on a reporter's toss-up question Monday about optimism and the 6-2 Vikings. The inquiry, not unlike an opposing receiver, was jammed at the line.
"Too early," Rhodes said.
The Vikings returned from the bye week to ramp up preparations for Sunday's game in Washington, where last year the Vikings' stout defenders allowed 26 points and 388 yards in a loss. So until the Vikings shut down offenses in the NFC playoffs, Rhodes doesn't want to hear superlatives like "elite" about their defense. They heard plenty of all-time great comparisons after last year's 5-0 start, which ended in watching the Lions and Packers make the playoffs.
"We can say that when it's Week 17, the season is over and we're in the playoffs and we're going for the Super Bowl," Rhodes said. "That's when we can say we're an elite defense. Right now, we're still just trying to establish ourselves."
The defense wasn't the main reason for last year's collapse, but under coach Mike Zimmer's watch they've carried a bit of humble pie into another strong start this season. The backbone of the Vikings, their defense has been one of the NFL's best through 2017's first act by ranking second in third-down conversions allowed (28 percent), third in points allowed (16.9) and fourth in yardage (282.1).
What's new this season is the Vikings' run defense, which so far has prevented a 100-yard rusher in eight games. They're allowing just 81.4 rushing yards per game, third-fewest in the league.
"I think we just need to continue to stop the run," linebacker Anthony Barr said. "That's the biggest thing. Everything else kind of falls into place. That's the way it's been all year."
Waynes running the gamut
Cornerback Trae Waynes has one man to thank for being one of the NFL's most-targeted cornerbacks: his teammate, Rhodes. As quarterbacks shy away from the stingy Rhodes, Waynes already had been thrown at 56 times in eight games, according to Pro Football Focus, fourth-most among all corners.