What happened: Minnesota owns the highest blitz rate in the league so far this season at 68.8%. Washington ranks second at 46.2%, followed by the New York Jets at 41.0%, Tampa Bay at 38.0% and New England at 37.9%.

Why it matters: That reliance defines Minnesota's defensive identity and forces opponents to devote extra practice time to protection and hot routes. The separation from the rest of the top five leaves the Vikings as the league's clear schematic outlier.

What to watch: Watch whether Minnesota sustains that pace as opponents adjust protections in the coming weeks.