Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have looked like a different team in the past three games, all of which have resulted in wins.
Minnesota's offense features a host of playmakers, including Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson. Kirk Cousins has posted three consecutive games with a passer rating above 100 and is coming off perhaps his best two games of the season. And it's all happening behind an offensive line that continues to progress as the season rolls along.
Defensively, the unit has taken some steps forward following some early-season struggles. The Vikings allowed 32.0 points per game in the first six weeks of the season, but have given up just 21.7 points per game in three consecutive wins.
One reason for the turnaround? Energy, Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday in a videoconference with the Twin Cities media.
"When we played — who was it? — Atlanta in our stadium, it was pretty dead in there," Zimmer said of a fan-less U.S. Bank Stadium. "I think getting used to this no fans and COVID and all these different things, it's taken a little while to understand that we have to bring our own energy, we have to bring our own excitement.
"We have to play well, but when you play at a different level, that's been important, as well," Zimmer added. "I do think it's been a part of it, and we keep talking about it each and every week."
Minnesota has rattled off three straight division wins. Victories over Green Bay and Chicago came on the road, while a win against Detroit was at home.
The Vikings now sit at 3-1 in NFC North play, the best divisional record among the four teams, although Minnesota is the only team to have played four such games.
Zimmer was asked if he put an extra emphasis on the recent three-game stretch.
"Well, you know, quite honestly … I don't talk about those things," Zimmer said. "I talk about each individual game.
"Obviously for me, it's important we win our division games but each week is completely different," Zimmer added. "I'm trying to win every game, not just the division games. I don't know … maybe we just have been playing well the last three weeks is the way to say it."
Zimmer is 21-18-1 in his career against the NFC North. The Vikings best marks within the division came in 2015 and 2017 when they went 5-1 each season. They also won the division in those years.
Minnesota is set for four non-division games in a row, before hosting Chicago in Week 15 and ending the regular season in Detroit.
Here are two other topics Zimmer discussed Wednesday: