Vikings trying to solve late-game lapses on defense

Amari Cooper’s fourth-quarter catch against Bashaud Breeland (21) started the Cowboys’ winning drive on Sunday.In his attempt to rouse the Vikings' defense from a stretch of late-game lapses, co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson appealed to the starters who remain from when the group was at its game-sealing best.

"The point that I made to the defense on Monday [was], Harrison [Smith] and Griff [Everson Griffen] and [Eric] Kendricks and [Anthony] Barr, they've been here when that's been part of our nature," Patterson said. "In years past, the defense wanted it on them at the end of the game, and we won a bunch of games in the past around here because our defense was on the field at the…