Zimmer believes Vikings can still make necessary changes to win

After giving up a go ahead touchdown to the Cowboys in the final two minutes of yesterday’s game, Mike Zimmer is having to find another way to keep his players focused on the big prize which is a hopeful playoff spot at the end of the regular season.

Zimmer felt his team prepared well last week, but didn’t quite execute his plan to his expectations.

"I definetely think they have the mentality to do it. We had a great week of practice last week, for whatever reason they (Dallas) made more plays than we did. Offensively we didn’t start out of the gate very well. All year long I’ve been preaching field position. You have to play the field position game better than we’re playing it," Zimmer said on Monday.

***CLICK THE PLAY ICON to watch Mike Zimmers’ press conference from Monday.***

Before yesterday’s loss, the Vikings had won three straight games. Call it cocky or confident, Zimmer stressed how important it was for his young players to stick to the game plan instead of playing their own style of football.

"I think a little bit had to do with these guys feeling their oats a little bit. Now they’re going to be playmakers, instead of just doing their job and I think that showed up a few times as well," Zimmer adds.

The Vikings will host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 12:00pm central time.