Vikings’ Defensive Struggles

After another poor defensive showing against the Lions, the Vikings have officially dropped to last in defensive yards per game. It is time to dissect what has gone so wrong for this defense this year. 

1. Ed Donatell's poor scheme. There have been many questions surrounding the Vikings defensive scheme and it has often left a lot of fans speechless. His inability to switch up the defense and stick to this soft Cover 2 makes absolutely no sense. He plays really soft zone defense which allows for all the underneath stuff, but even then this defense gives up big plays deep down field. It has been so frustrating watching players like Hunter and Smith drop into coverage against receivers and seeing them getting burnt. Ed has done a terrible job of coordinating this defense as it seems like every week they are getting worse and worse. 
2. The second problem has also been the players themselves. It seems as if Kendricks and Hicks at the linebacker positions are getting eaten alive in passing coverage. They look like they have lost a massive step. The second has also been the pass rush, as it has been so inconsistent this year and especially very poor these last few games. Quarterbacks have had plenty of time to throw in the pocket and eat this defense alive. A big part of this is Ed and his sticking to only sending four guys, but when you have players Like Smith and Hunter you should be creating a lot more pressure. Smith, after a great start to the year, has slowed down and Hunter has been on and off this year as well. The interior of the defensive line really hasn't done much either. 
3. I don't know if this defense can fix their problems so late into the season. Somehow we sit at a 10-3 record and can still do something special this year, but this ineffective defense will get exposed in the playoffs if we don't change something.