Nobody gets off the field on third down like the Minnesota Vikings. Through Week 6, opponents have converted 14 of 63 third downs against them, 22.2%, the lowest rate in the NFL and well under the league average of 39.3%.
Minnesota did not even play in Week 6. The Vikings were on their bye at 5–0, and the numbers explain the record: they have allowed 64 points in five games, and opposing offenses have scored 58 points on 55 drives, 1.05 a possession, also the best mark in the league. Green Bay went 3 of 12 on third down against them in Week 1, Tampa Bay 2 of 17 in Week 3, and Miami and New Orleans 2 of 9 and 2 of 10 in back-to-back weeks.
"They speak for themselves" – @JJettas2 on the #Vikings defense pic.twitter.com/NCcLIgBsn4
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 11, 2026
Best third-down defenses after Week 6
| Rank | Team | Opponents converted | Rate | Week 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 14 of 63 | 22.2% | bye |
| 2 | Chicago | 16 of 62 | 25.8% | 3 of 12 |
| 3 | Seattle | 23 of 82 | 28.0% | 3 of 14 |
| 4 | Indianapolis | 21 of 69 | 30.4% | 3 of 10 |
| 5 | LA Chargers | 23 of 74 | 31.1% | 3 of 10 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh | 26 of 80 | 32.5% | 6 of 19 |
| 7 | LA Rams | 24 of 73 | 32.9% | 5 of 15 |
| 8 | Tampa Bay | 26 of 77 | 33.8% | 5 of 15 |
| 9 | Kansas City | 25 of 70 | 35.7% | 5 of 16 |
| 10 | Jacksonville | 25 of 69 | 36.2% | 5 of 11 |
Third-down defense measures the share of opponents’ third-down plays that end in a first down or a touchdown. It matters because it decides drives: a stop forces a punt or a field-goal try, while a conversion hands the offense a fresh set of downs. The rate also rewards defenses that win first and second down, since third-and-long is far easier to stop than third-and-2.
Chicago is second at 25.8%. The Bears held Atlanta to 3 of 12 in a 31–23 win on Sunday, October 18, while Kyler Gordon sacked Michael Penix Jr. three times. Seattle, third at 28.0%, held Denver to 3 of 14 and still lost 17–14 in overtime.
The list is not a standings table. The Chargers are 0–6 but rank fifth at 31.1%, and they held Kansas City to 3 of 10 in a 22–6 loss; the problem in Los Angeles is an offense that scores 1.25 points per drive, last in the league. Tampa Bay, 1–5, is eighth.
The bottom five
| Rank | Team | Opponents converted | Rate | Week 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Buffalo | 36 of 80 | 45.0% | 7 of 12 |
| 29 | Cincinnati | 29 of 63 | 46.0% | bye |
| 30 | Detroit | 36 of 71 | 50.7% | bye |
| 31 | Miami | 30 of 58 | 51.7% | bye |
| 32 | Dallas | 41 of 75 | 54.7% | 11 of 18 |
Dallas has the worst third-down defense in the league by a distance. Opponents have converted 41 of 75, 54.7%, and Green Bay went 11 of 18 in the Packers’ 23–13 win over the Cowboys on Sunday night. It is a big reason Dallas is 2–4 despite an offense that ranks fourth in points per drive.
Miami (51.7%) and Detroit (50.7%) are the only other teams allowing conversions on more than half of third downs. The Dolphins are 0–5. Detroit’s offense has covered for it at 3–2, but the Lions have given up 148 points in five games. Buffalo is 28th at 45.0% after Las Vegas went 7 of 12 in the Bills’ 33–30 win.
Chicago and New England opened Week 7 on Thursday, so their numbers above are through Week 6; New England converted 2 of 7 third downs in the Bears’ 30–24 win, which lowers Chicago’s season rate to 26.1%. Full team rankings are on our team stats page.
What comes next
Minnesota hosts Indianapolis, fourth on this list, on Sunday, October 25, at 1 p.m. EDT. Dallas visits Philadelphia on Monday, October 26, at 8:15 p.m., Detroit hosts Green Bay on Sunday at 4:25 p.m., and Miami plays at the New York Jets at 1 p.m.
No published comments yet. Start the conversation.