EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings had a critical role to fill on their defense this season following the departure via free agency of nickel cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
Mackensie Alexander was a second-rounder from the NFL draft pick factory at Clemson last year, with the potential to step up. Terence Newman was back for a 15th season in the league, always a trustworthy option even if his skills are more limited at age 39. There were, though, no guarantees of a seamless transition.
Three-quarters of the way through the schedule, the Vikings (10-2) are thriving behind a defense that has developed into even more of a dominant, unselfish, synchronized unit under the direction of head coach Mike Zimmer.