Zimmer discusses clock malfunction with NFL

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer spoke to the NFL on Monday about the clock malfunction at Soldier Field during the final possession in the 21-13 loss to the Bears on Sunday.

There wasn't a satisfactory answer Zimmer could have received that would have made up for the unusual situation down one possession with 2 minutes, 3 seconds left in the game. Teddy Bridgewater threw an interception in the end zone with 42 seconds left to seal the Vikings' sixth loss.

"The Bears beat us, it wasn't the clocks," Zimmer said. "… At the end of the day, at the two-minute drill, the clock became an issue because of not knowing how much time was left on the clock and Teddy thought at that point when he threw the interception, he thought the clock was down, and he tried to make a play in the end zone."

Tight end Chase Ford still didn't know a day after the game how much time remained when Bridgewater was picked off by Bears safety Ryan Mundy. After the two-minute warning, the Vikings connected on three consecutive passes inbounds to keep the clock running before the turnover.

"You definitely need the clock," Ford said. "I'm sure if it was the other way, if the shoe was on the other foot, that clock would've been fixed. They would've found a way to fix that clock.

"If the clock was working, and Teddy knew how much time there was, I don't think he takes that chance on that play."

But both Zimmer and Ford didn't excuse the offense's poor performance because of clock issues. The Vikings had only 243 yards on 46 snaps. They were ineffective all game, scoring their only touchdown after a well-designed fake punt was stopped 7 yards short of the end zone.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph returned after missing six games recovering from sports hernia surgery, but he had a limited role offensively after what Zimmer called a "rusty" performance. Rudolph played only 14 offensive snaps compared to Rhett Ellison and Ford, who had 24 and 22 snaps, respectively. Rudolph wasn't targeted all game.

"He's feeling his way a little bit, still," Zimmer said. "He's got to let it loose a little bit more. We wanted to be careful with him, but on the same token, he needs to continue to feel good about where he's at and try to let it loose, too."

Rudolph was replaced by Ford on the team's final drive. Zimmer said Rudolph was confident he could play but wasn't sure if he moved with that same assurance.

"I don't know if he was really confident as far as, 'OK, I can go run this route as hard as I can run," Zimmer said. "Kyle is a great competitive kid that wants to please and do everything he can. … I think he needed to get back into it."

Zimmer didn't want to expose the Vikings' defensive flaws, but he believed he could have made a few adjustments in the secondary, specifically with cornerback Josh Robinson. He was targeted 15 times by the Bears, giving up 11 receptions for 139 yards and two touchdowns per Pro Football Focus.

"[Robinson] shouldn't have been by himself," Zimmer said.

Marshall and Alshon Jeffery combined for 225 yards on 18 catches and three touchdowns.

Minneapolis will dedicate a street near the new Vikings stadium in honor of former Vikings coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bud Grant.

The Vikings and the city will hold a ceremony on Dec. 1 to rename what currently is Carew Drive on 9th Avenue between 6th and 7th street. Carew Drive, named for Twins great Rod Carew, will become a road near Target Field.

Minneapolis City Council will vote on the name change to make it official Dec. 12.