Among the many things the Vikings’ 2017 defense did well, the group’s ability to avoid big plays stood out as one of its best attributes. Equipped with an active pass rush that forced opposing offenses to think quickly and a group of linebackers and defensive backs rarely prone to busted coverages, the Vikings allowed just 41 plays of 20 yards or more in the regular season, the second-fewest in the NFL in 2017. This season, though the Vikings remain among the top half of the league in terms of giving up big plays, they haven’t been anywhere near as crisp as they were a year ago.