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Access Vikings morning walkthrough: Zimmer breaks down his formula to success, Bridgewater won't let defense take blame for Vikings' lack of TDs

The Vikings are the only team in the NFL that hasn't given up more than 23 points throughout the first eight weeks of the season.

By Jason Gonzalez

November 3, 2015 at 2:24PM

Every weekday, we walk you through what's going on with the Vikings.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

— Vikings coach Mike Zimmer's formula to success has four steps and winning is only part of it. The next step in the four-stage ladder is handling success by not letting up as the schedule gets tougher.

— Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater wouldn't let the Vikings' defense take the blame for the team's lack of touchdown production.

— The comparisons of St. Louis Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley and Vikings veteran running back Adrian Peterson have already started at Winter Park.

— The Vikings shortened their bench on defense Sunday and 11 defenders played at least 70 percent of the snaps, including all four starting defensive linemen and nickel cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

— St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher expects his Rams to keep grinding after back-to-back wins and three victories in their last four games.

— The Rams' defense is among the top 10 in the NFL and has only given up 12 total points in the last two games — six points to Cleveland and six points to San Francisco.

— The Rams have shown life over the past four weeks and could be part of the playoff picture if they're able to continue this success. The last time they had a winning team in November was 2006.

TODAY'S VIKINGS SCHEDULE

Players have the day off and will be back in the building at Winter Park Wednesday.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The Vikings are the only team in the NFL that hasn't given up more than 23 points throughout the first eight weeks of the season. Mike Zimmer and George Edwards' impressive defense has only given up more than 20 points three times with the season-high 23 scored by unbeaten Denver and Peyton Manning. Undefeated Carolina also had not given up more than 23 points this season before Monday night's game against Indianapolis, however, the Colts' late rally tied the game at 23-23 and they would add a field goal in overtime of the Panthers' 29-26 victory.