BALTIMORE – Despite losing safety Harrison Smith just hours before kickoff of Sunday's 34-31 loss, the Vikings defense accomplished part of what it set out to do – limit Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson's speedy receivers from breaking open the game.
Only after Jackson wore down the Vikings defense with a relentless rushing attack entering overtime did the Ravens finally complete a pass thrown 20 yards past the line of scrimmage. And it was against another Vikings reserve, cornerback Kris Boyd, who replaced starter Bashaud Breeland before halftime due to injury.
"We were trying to prevent some big plays," coach Mike Zimmer said.