Vikings stout defense has signs of wear

The Minnesota Vikings have been built around a stifling defense since Mike Zimmer was hired as head coach.

That foundation has developed a frightening amount of cracks. The Vikings allowed 456 passing yards in their 38-31 loss Thursday night in Los Angeles to the Rams.

Zimmer said afterward he’s never been a part of pass defense so poor in his career, which includes successful stretches as defensive coordinator with Cincinnati and Dallas. The following afternoon, Zimmer wasn’t in any better of a mood when he was asked to assess the coverage breakdowns that led to five touchdown passes by Rams QB Jared Goff.

“It was guys getting out of position. There was some misdirection plays. It was similar to what we’ve gotten before,” Zimmer said Friday on a conference call with reporters. “Some of it was corners, some of it was safeties, some of it was linebackers, some of it was nickels, some of it was me.” You? “I might be over-coaching them some,” Zimmer said.

As dominant as Zimmer’s defenses have been, certain teams with versatile and creative passing attacks have been able to exploit them.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill ranks third in the NFL in yards per pass attempt, partly because two throws covering less than 1 yard each went in the books as completions covering 18 and 74 yards. In Miami’s comeback victory against the Raiders, Tannehill made quick flips to wideouts Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson as they raced past him. Wilson jokes that Tannehill prefers a short flip to a handoff so he can get credit for passing yards.