The Vikings’ top-ranked 2017 defense allowed just 35 such plays all season. The issue during Cooper’s big play, which set up a Cowboys field goal before halftime of a three-point loss, is all too familiar during a transitional season bottoming out again for a young and injury-ravaged defense.
Coach Mike Zimmer saw problems wider than coverage busts.
“We had a couple mistakes,” Zimmer said. “Honestly, I think a little bit had to do with these guys feeling their oats a little bit. Now they're going to be play makers and go out and do this and do that instead of just doing their job and I think that showed up a few times as well.