Mike Zimmer's fighter spirit is taking Case Keenum and the Vikings to new places

DETROIT – Case Keenum and Stefon Diggs on Thanksgiving Day talked offense in their Ford Field locker room. The gist of it was when to break routes short and when to push them long. Keenum does the throwing. Diggs does the catching.

But this conversation burst into an interchangeable, verbal toss and catch. It was agreeably intense, direct, tough, and competitive. It was intelligent. It showcased the fight both bring in their rising on-field connection.

And this was after the game.

This is who the Minnesota Vikings are — direct, tough, competitive, intelligent fighters. The coaching is that way. The players are exactly that way. It keeps surfacing. It did here in the Detroit Lions’ traditional Thanksgiving game, their 78th edition that Minnesota ruined in a 30-23 victory that pushed the Vikings closer to the NFC North crown.

It also made them 9-2 and winners of seven straight games.

It is time to acknowledge that this team is capable of becoming the first to play the Super Bowl on its home field in its home stadium. The Super Bowl heads to Minnesota in February, and the Vikings are on an intense, direct, tough trek to get there.

"We are in a different place," ferocious eight-year defensive end Everson Griffen said. "We know what lane we are in. We are not just trying to win games just to win games; we’re trying to get to the Super Bowl. You gotta talk that into existence. We are on a five-game mission now to finish this regular season and be special."

Be bold.

They are already brutes.

They played a fast, physical, consistently pressurized game against the Lions. It was 13-0 in the first quarter and 20-10 at halftime.

And then to start the third quarter, Minnesota ran the ball four straight times, four runs of 46, 16, 11 and 2 yards to score a touchdown and lead 27-10.

When the Vikings got it back later in the quarter, Keenum, early in the drive, heaved the ball 50 yards downfield looking for blood. The pass fell incomplete, but the message was clear.

Foot squarely on throat.

"Everybody on this team has an attitude and an understanding and it’s not a sometimes thing," said Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon, who was a part of that opening, second-half ground mauling. "I think that first second-half drive set the tone."

McKinnon said his team’s tone was set back in OTAs and all during the season: a continual build; a collective learning and effort.

Actually, we can go back further to see a franchise dealing with an Adrian Peterson problem, a franchise quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater lost to injury with doubt that he would play again, and a head coach, Mike Zimmer, who underwent eight eye surgeries.

At the start of this season, the Vikings showcased a sensational rookie running back -– Dalvin Cook -– who soared. But he was injured and lost for the year.

Everywhere the Vikings refurbished, replaced. And along came Keenum.

"When you get to 9-2 you are going to have a lot of confidence, but the fact is this team had the confidence before it got to 9-2," linebacker Anthony Barr said. "It’s riding high right now, and the fact is our quarterback is riding high right now. We’re definitely not stressed. But I think everyone can see we’re hungry."

Keenum threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions. He is 7-2 as the Vikings starter. He is ignoring talk that Bridgewater gives the Vikings a better chance for the long haul. The Vikings players are riding with Keenum.

"Look, when you come in this place on this day and play that team, it’s like a championship game," Diggs said. "The atmosphere and energy here was amazing. But we’ve got some great players. And we know how to prepare and then play like you prepared.

"As a team, we’ve had the opportunity to prove ourselves. As a quarterback, Case has that opportunity. He’s our general."

Valid point about this Vikings roster. Survey it, watch their games and it is clear they feature Pro-Bowl quality talent in the defensive line, among the linebackers, and in the secondary. That level of talent is sprinkled across the offense, too.

The epitome of the Vikings’ fight here was cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Lions receiver Marvin Jones gave Rhodes hassles all afternoon. But on Detroit’s final drive, Rhodes interception sealed the game.

It was an intense, direct, tough and competitive play.

"He ran a 7-route," Rhodes began. "I saw the ball. I tipped it. I had a feeling they were going to try that and I just wanted to tip it and get back to it. It was a play we needed. It’s all about winning games. You have to have confidence and not doubt yourself in this league. I mean, he was making some plays on me. But I kept telling myself, `You will get yours.’

"That is sort of how we talk to each other. We hold each other accountable. It’s hard to explain, but someone will come up to me and tell me it’s time to get a pick — get one. Or I might go to one of our guys and tell them to get the sack and do it now. It’s tough talk, but it’s about making plays. There is no perfect team in the NFL. You can get into a habit of losing games when you don’t keep that type of chip on your shoulders."

In consecutive weeks the Vikings have beaten winning teams — the Rams and the Lions — and next play winning teams at Atlanta and at Carolina. They finish the regular season home against Cincinnati, at Green Bay, and home against Chicago.

The Vikings have developed an unmistakable manner. It’s gritty. It’s hard.

Their identity is "fighters" and it originates from Zimmer, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman says.

"When he was going through some of his eye recovery, he kept coming to OTAs and I had to send him home — I think he was mad at me for three days for that," Spielman said, laughing. "This team has taken on the personality of coach Zimmer. It’s nice to see."

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