Vikings adjust last-ranked defense with NFL playoffs on their minds

With three weeks before the Vikings' first playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium in five years, coach Kevin O'Connell said his team is still "on the hunt" for improvement as well as playoff seeding. Getting better quickly is a particular focus for the NFL's last-ranked defense, which still resides in Minnesota even after the Vikings held the Colts offense to a stingy 4.3 yards per play (tying their season best).

Veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson, who has waited seven seasons since his last playoff game with Arizona, knows the Vikings have a rare opportunity ahead. He doesn't want that spoiled because of some growing pains in first-year coordinator Ed Donatell's system.

Peterson credited Donatell, the 65-year-old play caller, for being flexible in Saturday's 39-36 overtime victory over the Colts. The Vikings bombarded Indianapolis quarterback Matt Ryan with second-half blitzes and more aggressive coverage to help fuel the historic comeback.

https://www.startribune.com/vikings-adjust-last-ranked-defense-with-nfl-playoffs-on-their-minds/600238122/