Being slow to the ball, avoiding contact, failing to pursue were obvious signs of disengagement to defensive coordinator Alan Williams.

The Vikings' failure to force turnovers and make key stops or any momentum-seizing plays against Seattle heightened a sense of doom the Seahawks and running back Marshawn Lynch's relentless ground-and-pound exploited to monopolize the clock and dictate terms in their 30-20 victory over the Vikings last week.

"Loafs" is how Williams categorized specific instances in which the Vikings relented, a pejorative term culled from film study and used to motivate a unit under fire for not generating takeaways while allowing ball-carriers to run roughshod.

"We want to make sure we continue running to the football," Williams said Thursday, Nov. 8. "There were some loafs in the ballgame, and those loafs are turning down hits or not running full speed or not getting off the ground, and some of those were uncharacteristic of the defense. When you hustle to the ball and play full speed and get guys into predictable modes where they have to throw the football, that's when those turnovers come."

Entering Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions at the Metrodome, Minnesota's turnover ratio is minus-6, the only negative NFC team with a winning record. Teams have outscored the Vikings 44-20 off turnovers, and the disparity is showing up in the win-loss column.

The Vikings are plus-2 in their five victories and minus-8 in four losses.


The evidence is a scathing indictment of quarterback Christian Ponder, who has thrown eight interceptions among nine turnovers in his past five games. But the defense also is guilty of keeping the Vikings buried among the least effective teams at stealing the ball.

The Vikings have forced no turnovers in the past two games, shut out since safety Harrison Smith's interception return for a touchdown in Week 7 against Arizona, and their four interceptions are tied for fifth fewest in the league.

"When we get opportunities to make plays and knock the ball loose and put a helmet on the ball, you've got to do it," linebacker Chad Greenway said. "It's apparent we play a lot better and win more when we get turnovers. It's part of us, and we've got to try to take advantage of it here at home, let the D-line pin their ears back and create some turnovers that way."

The drought partially can be attributed to teams being able to chew up yards on the ground.

The Vikings' once-stout run defense has allowed five touchdowns and an average of 176 yards rushing in the past four games. Success with the run sets up teams for play action to neuter Minnesota's pass rush and lure defensive backs into playing more conservatively to avoid getting burned downfield.

Quarterbacks have been able to limit mistakes by working smartly out of a comfortable pocket.

"The last couple of weeks teams have been able to be balanced against us -- run the ball, throw some safe passes, throw the high-percentage things," Williams said. "That's when it's tough to get those turnovers, when guys are playing close to the vest."

It does not help that the Vikings' offense has been unable to sustain drives and avoid putting the defense in compromising positions. The Seahawks dominated time of possession, 36 minutes to 24, and converted third downs to extend two touchdown drives.

Williams, however, was unwilling to accept the notion that his unit is wearing down.

"I don't think it was a psychological thing where we were on the field. Our motto is, it doesn't matter how long we're on the field or where we're on the field, we still have to run to the ball and defend our turf," he said.

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