It was a strange period of baseball spectating during Johan Santana’s starts in the mid 2000s.
Not in a bad way, but in that the pitcher inverted the viewing experience. The time to go grab something to eat or use the restroom was when the Twins were at the dish.
It was far more enticing to bypass another Mike Redmond groundout than it was to miss No. 57 embarrassing another batter with that patented changeup.
Sure, the offense produced the runs — a few of them, anyway. But the electricity came from Santana.
Welcome to the 2026 Minnesota Vikings experience.
It’s not all that enthralling watching a team score 17-ish points on a week to week basis with a solid, but not explosive running game and a relatively punchless passing attack.
But it sure is cool seeing Dallas Turner stalk signal callers, the secondary flying around and the opposing offense look befuddled, as a whole, amid the chaos conducted by Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
The Vikings don’t win in laughers — they can’t score enough to secure that level of separation. Minnesota has one — yes, one — offensive touchdown on its ledger over the last three games.
But watching offenses try to move the ball against the Minnesota defense is worthy of a chuckle.
Miami had nine offensive possessions in the Vikings’ 15-10 win on Sunday. Only two of those drives traveled 30-plus yards in total distance, as opposed to four 3-and-outs.
The Dolphins went just 2 for 9 on third downs, completed just 4.1 yards per passing attempt and didn’t reach the 200-yard plateau. Their lone touchdown was the result of one breakaway run by Ollie Gordon, the lone major blemish amid another stellar Vikings’ defensive performance. It blew up the perfect game, but little else.
Minnesota has played 16 quarters of football thus far this season — it’s shutout the opponent in eight of them.
Miami’s offense took the field in the fourth quarter Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium with a chance to deliver a game-winning touchdown drive, and even the most pessimistic Vikings supporter couldn’t have though the Dolphins were going to march down the field.
Three plays and two yards later, Miami punted the ball away.
It was the same old story. Nine times this year, the opponent has taken the field in the fourth quarter while trailing by a single score. Those drives have resulted in more turnovers (four) than points. Zero times has Minnesota surrendered the lead.
Try all you want to score by any means necessary — run, pass … pray? The odds are not in your favor.
That type of dominance is rare. It’s impressive. It’s exciting.
Sure, it’s cool to go to a stadium and watch Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes light up the scoreboard. But there’s something extra satisfying about watching a defensive unit suffocate the life out of its opposition in a sport tailored to offensive success.
It feels very … football — the sport in its purest form.
And it’s a lot more entertaining than whatever the offense is putting on the field at the moment. Not that it matters. The Vikings are 4-0, with zero for which to apologize. Kevin O’Connell is finally leaning into what his team does best, and, frankly, better than everyone else.
That transition deserves far more praise than critcism.
So when Minnesota takes the field next week in New Orleans, put any consternation about the offense on the backburner. Feel free to trek to the fridge while Kyler Murray and Co. are on the field.
Then, after the ensuing punt or Will Reichard field goal, sit back, relax, and enjoy the real show.