Mike Zimmer has been trying to get his message through to his players in his first year with the Vikings.

Perhaps some of them would get that message if they actually showed up on time.

During another tense postgame news conference, the "disappointed" coach mentioned that players being late for meetings, treatment in the trainer's room and other team-related activities was a reoccurring theme last week and that he thinks there was a correlation with that and his team's play in a 17-3 loss to the Detroit Lions.

"I'm just saying some of the things we're doing lead to undisciplined play, and we've got to change a lot of these things," Zimmer said. "I had to fine a lot more guys this week for whatever reason — missing a meeting, late to a meeting, whatever — so I'm not going to let them slide. I'm going to keep pounding my head and like I told them, the fines are going to start going to the max now. I'm tired of it."

Zimmer said some weeks have passed without having to fine players for tardiness, and he wasn't sure why it was such a problem in the days after an embarrassing 42-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Zimmer also expressed frustration with some players who argued with officials on the sideline when he made it clear that he is the one who should be doing the talking.

Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer in the fourth quarter. Detroit beat Minnesota by a final score of 17-3.

"We're undisciplined," Zimmer said. "Trust me, we're going to get disciplined."

McKinnon gets start

Two weeks ago, Zimmer said he considered rookie running back Jerick McKinnon to be a "change of pace" from starter Matt Asiata for the near future. Apparently that near future was just a week. McKinnon was informed during the week that he would start against the Lions, and he did.

"I tried to prepare myself the best for it, really dial in, focus in on my assignment and make sure that I was on top of everything," McKinnon said.

McKinnon gained 40 yards on 11 rushes and had a team-high six catches for 42 yards.

Asiata, meanwhile, got two carries for minus-5 yards.

"I'm a team player, and I do whatever the coaches tell me to do," Asiata said. "Seeing Jerick step up is a big thing. A rookie catching the ball out of the backfield and doing all that he can do is a positive for this team."

Patterson shut down

Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson had two catches for 15 yards, his third consecutive game with just two receptions. But he scoffed at the notion that opponents have virtually eliminated him from the score sheet.

"It's not them shutting me down," Patterson "Some [defensive backs] are smarter than the other ones. Some of them run the routes with you. Some do more studying than others. It's just our receivers and whole offense, we just got to do better."

Patterson, who is still bothered by a hip injury, split time with wide receiver Charles Johnson and had only three touches Sunday. He was targeted eight times.

"I'm not the offensive coordinator. I'm not the head coach. That's not my job," Patterson said. "Whatever happens, I'm out there just giving it my all."

D-line does damage

There weren't many bright spots in the double-digit loss, but one was the return of the Vikings pass rush. While they weren't as destructive as the Lions, the Vikings sacked Matthew Stafford four times.

Everson Griffen recorded his fourth sack of the season and fellow defensive end Brian Robison, shut out in the first five games, shared a sack with tackle Linval Joseph.

"We definitely [put pressure on the quarterback]," said middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who recorded his first NFL sack. "That's something we work on week in and week out."

One in, one out

Safety Harrison Smith, who was questionable heading into the game because of a sprained left ankle, started and made four tackles. The injury appeared to slow Smith down a little, but he said he felt fine afterward.

"I was good," he said. "I am here to play football so that is what I am trying to do."

Linebacker Chad Greenway missed his third game in a row because of broken ribs.

Playing shorthanded

Stafford passed for 185 yards and a touchdown, but was playing without injured receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Reggie Bush.

"We have to succeed with what we have," Stafford said. "Guys stepped up and made enough plays to win the game and that is what it is all about."

Stafford has 2,171 yards against the Vikings, the most of any Lions quarterback. He passed Gary Danielson (2,132 from 1977 to '84) on Sunday.

Etc.

• Receiver Jarius Wright had the Vikings' longest run of the day, a 21-yarder on the team's opening drive.

• McKinnon was the first Vikings rookie running back to lead the team in receptions since Mewelde Moore against New Orleans in 2004.

• Marcus Sherels became the fourth player in Vikings history with 100 career punt returns. He trails Leo Lewis (194), David Palmer (162) and Charlie West (123).