Vikings linebackers delivered a tremendous play to start the season and a memorable ending to 2016.
In the season-opening game at Tennessee, Eric Kendricks dropped into coverage but kept focus on Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota. When he saw Everson Griffen applying pressure to Mariota, Kendricks alertly stepped in front of a floater intended for Harry Douglas and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown.
The Vikings first score of the season set the tone for a dynamic defense that returned four turnovers for touchdowns. Minnesota totaled 27 takeaways that tied for seventh in the NFL, and the team committed just 16 giveaways to tie for fourth in the NFL with a net turnover differential of plus-11.