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As cold arrives, Vikings defense thrives

The Minnesota Vikings are playing high-level defense, just in time for the cold in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Vikings have developed one of the toughest defenses in the NFL under the demanding, experienced and creative direction of coach Mike Zimmer.

If Adrian Peterson’s league-leading rushing total is the face of this team’s identity, the aggressive, disciplined and well-rounded defense is the rest of the body, as well as the mind and the soul.

The Vikings, who have given up the second-fewest points in the NFL, took back sole possession of first place in the NFC North with another hallmark performance by the players paid to keep the other team from scoring in a 20-10 victory Sunday at Atlanta.