How much of a concern are the Vikings' late-game lapses on defense?

Fourth quarter letdowns have become the norm for the last two seasons

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By Sam Ekstrom

EAGAN — Asked to evaluate the state of his defense, a gruff Mike Zimmer reached into the right pocket of his hoodie and took out a sheet of paper at his Wednesday press briefing.

“We got to be better in two-minute drills,” he said, while unfolding the sheet. “We’re eighth in turnover differential, 12th in points per game, number one in sacks, fifth in third downs, 13th in first down per game. So there’s some good things.’’

Those statistics, ranging from very good to slightly above average, paint an optimistic view of the defense through seven games, while ignoring some of the low points like yards per rush, opponent scoring percentage and red zone defense.

While it’s fair to call out the head coach for cherry-picking some positive numbers, there wouldn’t be a need for Zimmer to offer any defense at all if it weren’t for the team’s issues in the final five minutes of the last three games, where the Vikings have allowed opponents to mount game-tying or go-ahead drives.

“I think we’re playing pretty good,” said linebacker Anthony Barr. “At the end of games, we can’t get off the field. Whatever we’re doing those first three quarters, we’ve got to carry that into the last drive, the last two minutes of the game and find a way to close teams out. I think we’re pretty solid through the first three quarters of the game.”

Wipe away the final five minutes of the last three games, and the Vikings would have allowed six points to Detroit, 17 points to Carolina and 13 points to Dallas. Those totals ended up at 17, 28 and 20 after late scores. Against the Lions and Panthers, Minnesota allowed multiple scoring drives late to put themselves on the brink of defeat, only to mount offensive drives that produced walk-off wins.

There were no such theatrics against Dallas after Cooper Rush’s go-ahead touchdown throw to Amari Cooper with 51 seconds left.

Walking the tightrope of disaster can only be sustained for so long with a team as unbalanced as the Vikings. No team has allowed more touchdown drives in the final five minutes than Minnesota this season, and no team has allowed more scores in the final five minutes since the start of 2020. In 23 games, the Vikings have allowed last-five-minute scores in 11 of them. In nine of those, the opponents’ score either lost the game or greatly jeopardized the outcome.