There were high expectations around the Vikings offense before the season built around offensive coordinator Norv Turner's scheme and some of the weapons available on the roster.

But through six games, the Vikings have averaged 17.3 points per game. That's tied with the Titans for fourth worst in the NFL. The Vikings posted a single-digit total for the third time this season in the 17-3 loss against the Lions on Sunday.

Some have started to question Turner, after his offense produced only one touchdown in the past two games (both losses), but Vikings coach Mike Zimmer defended Turner on Monday.

"I have 100 percent confidence in Norv Turner and the offensive staff," Zimmer said. "That doesn't mean I won't have more of a point of emphasis with some of the players offensively."

Zimmer said he made points of emphasis on defense last week in practice, which he felt made a noticeable difference against the Lions. While the defense improved, holding the Lions to 255 total yards without wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Reggie Bush, the offense remained stale.

The Vikings tried switching running backs, starting rookie Jerick McKinnon for the first time. They even attempted a halfback toss to wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, a play the Vikings haven't run since the season opener against the Rams, to seek a spark but it only gained 3 yards.

"I do believe players, if they understand you're serious about it, you put some extra effort into it, some point of emphasis, they'll respond," Zimmer said. "So I'll be with the offense a little bit more."

The Vikings have lost three important offensive pieces — running back Adrian Peterson, tight end Kyle Rudolph and right guard Brandon Fusco — either because of injury or off-the-field issues during the season. They've rotated through three quarterbacks in six games because of injury. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater threw three interceptions in his return from an ankle injury, which also prompted Zimmer to reassure his confidence in the first-round pick.

"I believe, with all my heart, that Teddy Bridgewater is going to be the franchise quarterback here for a long, long time," Zimmer said.

Locke step

Among the many problems against the Lions, punter Jeff Locke lacked consistency with his worst performance this season.

He struggled with the windy conditions at TCF Bank Stadium, averaging a season-low 42.3 yards on seven punts. The second-year punter said he had the wind in his face on five on the seven punts, which made it difficult.

"It's an adjustment I didn't make on a couple of punts, and I've got to do a better job adjusting to the conditions," Locke said.

After watching the film with special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, Locke said he should have driven the ball through the wind. Locke didn't have a punt pinned inside the 20, with his longest punt 48 yards.

"When you have the wind at your back, you've just got to get it up a little higher so the wind can do your job for you," Locke said. "It's a little bit of a different kick going into the wind. You can't just hang the ball straight up into the air. It's probably not going to do the same it does on a neutral day."

Blindsided by fine

Rookie safety Antone Exum will appeal a fine for a blindside block he was called for in Week 5 against the Packers. The NFL fined Exum $22,050 on Friday for a personal foul penalty he received blocking Packers cornerback Jarrett Bush on a punt return.

"I waited until the guy was eligible to be blocked," Exum said. "I didn't try to blindside block him. I wasn't running full speed at him. I was running at a tempo where I was waiting for him to turn around so I could hit him."

Exum has been penalized on special teams in consecutive weeks after receiving a holding call on a punt return against the Lions that he felt was questionable.

"I took my hands off him," Exum said of the holding call. "Maybe the ref had an angle where he thought I was holding excessively. I'm not sure, but I'll make some changes and won't let that happen again."