EAGAN, Minn. — For weeks. Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has stressed the importance of winning the turnover battle.

One year after finishing the regular season tied for the most takeaways (33), the Vikings have one of the worst turnover differentials in the league (minus-12), while turning the ball over more than any other team in the NFL.

Sunday's shutout against the Washington Commanders marked just the second time this season the Vikings (5-8) had a clean sheet with no turnovers. It was also the second-most forced turnovers (3) for a defense that has struggled to take the ball away from opposing offenses this season.

"You tend to win ball games when you do that," Vikings safety Harrison Smith said after recording his 38th career interception — fourth-most in Vikings hist

See Full Page