Dreadful defense still upsets Zimmer

Mike Zimmer still hadn't cooled down much a day after the Vikings gave up 496 yards in total offense in a 37-35 loss to Miami.

The Vikings coach called the team's defense "the worst we've played all year … maybe one of the worst I've ever seen" during his Monday press briefing at Winter Park.

The defense was coming off a strong performance in a 16-14 loss at Detroit on Dec. 14, but took a nasty turn.

"I know who they are," Zimmer said of his defense, which gave up three fourth-quarter touchdowns, "but I didn't know who they were on Sunday."

"There were times when guys lined up where I didn't know they were going to line up."

The Vikings defense was hit with 11 penalties in the game.

"We talk about toughness," Zimmer said. "You have to be tough in the fourth quarter. You have to be smart in the fourth quarter. You have to walk away from a guy talking to you instead of head-butting him – that shows toughness, too."

Zimmer went out of his way to praise rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater – "he was excellent … that brings a lot of hope" – but in the end, he couldn't hide his downright disgust at the defense.

"It bothers me when people don't do what you ask them to do," he said. "Mistakes bother me. Penalties bother me. Selfishness bothers me.

He paused.

"I know this team cares. They just didn't perform."

Earlier, defensive tackle Sharif Floyd was asked to define what the team did wrong against Miami.