5 NFL Stats to Know Through Week 9

The Vikings Racked Up 10 Sacks Versus the Lions

The Minnesota Vikings' defense has misfired to an extent so far in 2018, but they finally came to the party in their 24-9 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Vikings finished with a franchise-record 10 sacks, beating their previous best of 9, which was last achieved back in 1993.

The star man for the Vikings was defensive end Danielle Hunter. Hunter helped himself to a career high 3.5 sacks as well as a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Hunter has 11.5 sacks for the season and is only the second player with at least 3.5 sacks and a defensive touchdown in the same game since sacks became an official statistic. (The other player was Shaun Phillips for the San Diego Chargers in 2010.)

The 10 sacks taken were the most taken in a single game for Matthew Stafford, and he is one of only six quarterbacks to take at least 10 sacks in a game since 2010. This was the second such instance this season, after Marcus Mariota was sacked 11 times by the Baltimore Ravens back in Week 6.

The Vikings are on their bye in Week 10, but they have a key matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 11. The Bears put on a defensive masterclass of their own this past week and were one of only two defenses to score more fantasy points than the Vikings in Week 9.