The Vikings huddled behind the closed doors of State Farm Stadium’s auxiliary locker room for nearly a half-hour after their 27-9 loss to the Rams on Monday night, before principal owner Zygi Wilf emerged with a blank expression and players packed for the long flight home.

The Los Angeles Rams' defense seemed to be starting practically from scratch when it began this season with a rookie coordinator and without retired superstar Aaron Donald. The Rams knew they would have to endure all of the mistakes and setbacks required to rebuild a once-solid unit.