The Minnesota Vikings are 6-0, which is remarkable for one very obvious reason: their offense, by any objective measure, is anemic. They've scored all of 10 touchdowns this season. Their kicker, Will Reichard, has 63 points.
Everybody else on the roster? Sunday against the Colts offered more of the same. Kyler Murray threw for 150 yards, the offense scored a lone touchdown, and Minnesota won anyway, 16-10.
Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones managed 108 passing yards, threw an interception and was sacked four times. The Vikings have now won 11 straight games dating to last season, despite scoring just 21 touchdowns during that stretch, the fewest in an 11-game winning streak in NFL history. At this point, there's no debating whether Brian Flores is an elite defensive coordinator.
But here's a question worth considering: Is he so good that his defense can drag this offense all the way to a Super Bowl? I know, this sounds ridiculous – even for the terminally online, where hyperbole, hype and mock outrage are the fuel that keeps the internet running. Just ask the 2015 Denver Broncos.
Eleven years ago, Denver started 6-0 with a 39-year-old Peyton Manning who looked nothing like the quarterback who'd won five MVP awards. His arm strength had diminished, injuries had taken their toll, and a makeshift offensive line wasn't helping. Manning threw nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 10 games before a foot injury opened the door for Brock Osweiler.
Denver's defense, led by Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and a loaded secondary, made up for the offense's shortcomings. The Broncos finished 25th in offensive per play but beat the Steelers, Patriots and Panthers on their way to winning Super Bowl 50. But here's the fine print: Minnesota's offense ranks 31st in per play, and its minus-0.148 mark is considerably worse than Denver's minus-0.063 in 2015.
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