Five Vikings stats that stand out for Week 9

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

25 — pass-rush snaps for outside linebacker Anthony Barr the past two weeks.

If Barr wasn't in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation before Sunday, he certainly barged into it by beating the Buccaneers with a 27-yard fumble return touchdown in overtime. I get to watch Barr every day, and I've got to say I'm impressed not only by the fact that Barr hasn't sat out a play since Week 3, but also the many ways the Vikings are using him. According to Pro Football Focus, Barr has dropped into coverage on 226 snaps, defended the run on 218 of them and rushed the passer on 81. Only Broncos star Von Miller has rushed the passer more among 4-3 outside linebackers. With Chad Greenway back in the lineup, Barr has been allowed to blitz more. He has 25 pass-rush snaps the past two weeks after just 18 in three games with Greenway out.

12 — times that wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was targeted on Sunday.

After four straight games with two receptions apiece, Patterson had his most productive receiving game of the season. Patterson was targeted a team-high 12 times, catching six of those targets for 86 yards. Both were season-highs. And the 12 targets were the most of his career, topping the 11 passes thrown his way in last year's tie against the Packers. Physically, Patterson looked more explosive than he had in recent games, when he was nagged by a hip injury. But it also helped that he was going up against a zone-heavy defensive scheme that allowed him to sit down in soft spots.

three — NFL teams with three corners in the top 36 in yards per coverage snap.

The Vikings have soared to fourth in the NFL in pass defense, allowing just 212.1 passing yards per game. A lot factored into that, such as the play of the defensive front, but how about the improved play of the cornerbacks? Josh Robinson is allowing just one reception for every 12.4 snaps in coverage, which is 19th among qualifying NFL cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Captain Munnerlyn and Xavier Rhodes are not far behind at 31st and 36th, respectively. The Packers and, interestingly, the Jaguars are the only other teams with three corners in the top 36.

With eight sacks in eight games, Griffen is displaying the caliber of pass-rushing prowess that could get him to the Pro Bowl. But as head coach Mike Zimmer has pointed out, Griffen is an all-around defensive end and not just a pass rusher. I've got a stat from Pro Football Focus to back that up. Griffen has made 16 defensive stops — not to be confused with tackles — against the run, which ranks third among 4-3 defensive ends. When it comes to run stop percentage, he ranks sixth. No wonder PFF has graded him higher against the run than they have as a pass rusher.

three — touchbacks for punter Jeff Locke during the win over the Buccaneers.