Vikings Weathering Frustration, Fatigue & COVID as…

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings will officially hit the midpoint of the 2021 season at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Chargers.

Minnesota is 3-5 at this stage of the season, which has been a dizzying ride that has perhaps given a few people whiplash and heartburn along the way.

There’s also a sense of palpable frustration for the Vikings, who have a losing record but have a plus-3 point differential on the season. (Minnesota has scored 194 points and allowed 191 points through eight games).

“Personally, it’s very frustrating. And it’s frustrating for the players,” Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said. “They fight their rear ends off like crazy, and it comes down to those situations, and you really feel like we’ve got a smart team, and typically when you go out there and you win those games at the end, it changes the attitude, it changes the complexion of the season and everything else. So that part is frustrating, yeah. We fight like crazy and can’t get it done in the end.”

Everyone is feeling the effects of the grinder, but Zimmer shouldered responsibility for trying to turn the close losses into wins.

“Seven out of the eight games have come down to the last play,” Zimmer said. “I’ve got to figure out a way to teach them how to finish these games so we’re on the other side of this thing as opposed to the way it came out yesterday.

“We’re working on doing that and will continue to work hard and keep going from there,” Zimmer added.

Offensively, the Vikings are looking for any answer to jump-start a unit that has started games hot only to fizzle out for long stretches after opening drives.