NFL.com rates Vikings at Rams Game & Lingering Impact

Heading into Thursday night's Tilt Out West, Flores' unit ranked first in the NFL in DVOA (defense-adjusted average above average) and several other key categories, including pressures and interceptions.

The numbers are a sign that great coaching and great performance go together — but the work behind the scenes, outside of the uniform, unrelated to the Xs and Os, is perhaps just as important, if not more so. Vikings passing game coordinator/defensive coach Daronte Jones conveyed that message to Seifert.

The group struggled Thursday night against an upgraded Rams squad that returned both starting receivers, but Minnesota is optimistic that the relationships built en route to a 5-0 start will help the Vikings bounce back after back-to-back losses to recover.

“What you build is relationships and you build camaraderie,” Jones said. “Seeing people outside the building and them seeing you outside the building, those are real relationships.”

“This is about people and he’s all about relationships. He brings the players around his children. The players bring their children with them and this creates a good family environment. You would be surprised what can happen if you just step away for a little while and get to know people in person.

Read Seifert's entire article here, which delves into the Vikings' vast experience on defense and Flores' focus on where his feet are – rather than the possibility of one day becoming a head coach again.