Defensive PFF grades from Vikings’ 21-13 win vs. Panthers

The Minnesota Vikings found a way to win their first game of the season on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers by a score of 21-13.

The game saw a lot of interesting things on Sunday and it started with a Kirk Cousins pick-six that gave the Panthers an early lead. From there, the Vikings found a way to take the lead in the second half and win their first game of the season.

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When we look at the team’s performance, the film is the most important, but understanding other metrics is necessary as well. The PFF grades are in and are very interesting for the Vikings defense.

Top 5 defense

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

• OLB D.J. Wonnum: 81.5
• S Harrison Smith: 78.3
• DE Jonathan Bullard: 73.7
• OLB Marcus Davenport: 73.4
• S Josh Metellus: 72.9

Bottom 5 defense

Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

• OLB Patrick Jones II: 40.3
• ILB Ivan Pace Jr.: 59.4
• DE Dean Lowry: 59.8
• DE Jaquelin Roy: 60.3
• CB Byron Murphy Jr.: 60.5

Top 5 run defense

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

• ILB Jordan Hicks: 86.4
• S Josh Metellus: 84.2
• OLB Marcus Davenport: 76.5
• DE Jonathan Bullard: 75.8
• S Harrison Smith: 71.8

Bottom 5 run defense

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

• S Camryn Bynum: 48.2
• OLB Patrick Jones II: 52.3
• ILB Ivan Pace Jr.: 57.2
• NT Harrison Phillips: 60.9
• DE Jaquelin Roy: 61.4

Top 5 pass rush grades

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

• S Harrison Smith: 85.1
• DE Dean Lowry: 80.3
• OLB Marcus Davenport: 67.0
• NT Harrison Phillips: 62.0
• OLB D.J. Wonnum: 61.7

Bottom 5 pass rush grades

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

• ILB Ivan Pace Jr.: 48.7
• OLB Patrick Jones II: 59.2
• DE Jaquelin Roy: 56.2
• OLB Danielle Hunter: 57.0
• DE Jonathan Bullard: 58.6

Top 5 coverage grades

Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

• OLB D.J. Wonnum: 91.2
• CB Mekhi Blackmon: 68.0
• S Harrison Smith: 66.9
• ILB Ivan Pace Jr.: 66.7
• S Camryn Bynum: 66.7

Bottom 5 coverage grades

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

• OLB Patrick Jones II: 41.1
• ILB Jordan Hicks: 50.1
• DE Dean Lowry: 54.0
• OLB Danielle Hunter: 58.6
• CB Byron Murphy Jr.: 59.4

Top 5 tackling grades

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

• S Harrison Smith: 82.7
• OLB D.J. Wonnum: 76.1
• CB Akayleb Evans: 75.4
• CB Byron Murphy Jr.: 74.4
• OLB Danielle Hunter: 73.6

Bottom 5 tackling grades

AP Photo/Craig Lassig

• DE Dean Lowry: 19.5
• OLB Patrick Jones II: 25.1
• OLB Marcus Davenport: 26.9
• NT Harrison Phillips: 29.8
• DE Jaquelin Roy: 29.9

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