Five Vikings stats that stand out for Week 1

Each Wednesday, beat guy Matt Vensel will highlight five Vikings stats that really mean something.

98.2 — rushing yards allowed per game by the Vikings from 2008 to 2013.

Head coach Mike Zimmer and the Vikings overhauled their defensive line in the offseason, most notably saying so long to Jared Allen and Kevin Williams. Everson Griffen and Sharrif Floyd will take on bigger roles and the team is banking on newcomers such as Linval Joseph and Corey Wootton. The new group has quite a reputation to live up to. From 2008 to 2013, the Vikings allowed just 98.2 rushing yards per game, ranking only behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens. They were also fourth in the NFL over that span in yards allowed per carry (3.8).

53 — sacks for the St. Louis Rams in 2013, which ranked third in the NFL.

Only the Carolina Panthers (60) and Buffalo Bills (57) had more sacks than the Rams last season. The Rams had five guys with at least five sacks, and with 19 sacks himself, All-Pro right end Robert Quinn was second in the NFL behind Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis. The Rams, who will be even richer on the defensive line if first-round tackle Aaron Donald pans out, will be a tough test for left tackle Matt Kalil and a Vikings offensive line that gave up 44 sacks in 2013.

78.4 — quarterback Matt Cassel's accuracy percentage during the preseason.

It is probably wise to take most preseason stats with a grain of salt, but it is worth noting that Cassel, who has been erratic throughout his NFL career, was pretty accurate during the exhibition season. According to Pro Football Focus, Cassel had an 78.4 percent accuracy percentage, which is essentially what his completion percentage would be if not for drops. That ranked ninth among qualifying QBs. His career high of 76.9 came during his breakout 2008 season in New England.

Patterson was used sparingly on offense during the first half of his rookie season, leaving him to make an impact only on special teams. But once they carved out a sizable role for him on offense, the first-round pick sure spent a lot of time in the end zone. Patterson scored a touchdown in each of his final five games — three as a runner and two as a receiver — to give him nine total in Year 1.

12,240 — net yards for running back Adrian Peterson in his Vikings career.