EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- A month's worth of protection issues were exemplified in a Week 6 loss to the Detroit Lions and had the Minnesota Vikings' offensive line stewing.
Minnesota had heard plenty about giving up eight sacks to Detroit and its powerful, talented defensive line. Eight sacks in one game, with rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater having no chance in his second career start. Five sacks in the next game and the focus of the Vikings' sluggish passing offense was squarely on the line.
As Minnesota's offensive line has adjusted to replace three starters out with injury, a curious result occurred. The Vikings steadily improved in front of Bridgewater.
A rematch with Detroit led to praise from coach Mike Zimmer regarding the offensive line.
"I thought they battled their rear ends off," Zimmer said this week. "I thought they competed. I thought they fought like crazy to give us the opportunity to get the ball in the right place. I know the run game totals weren't exactly what I wanted, but we did stay on the double-teams pretty good. We knocked a couple guys off the line of scrimmage. When we went to the second level a guy would fall off and make a play.
"So, they did some good things. Probably as good as they played this year."
Minnesota will have another test this week against the Miami Dolphins, who feature a strong rotation at defensive tackle and two pass-rushing ends. The improvement will have to continue without embarrassment as a motivation.
The Vikings went into last week's game with a bit of anger and answered with physicality.
"I think we definitely had a chip on our shoulder, especially with what Detroit did to us the first game," Kalil said. "I think it was an embarrassing performance by us and obviously as an offensive line you take pride in opening the holes for a running back and keeping the quarterback safe back there. So when you're not doing that, you kind of got a chip on your shoulder."
Bridgewater and the offense face the league's fourth-ranked pass defense in Miami.
The Dolphins will stress the line on the outside with defensive ends Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, who have combined for 16 sacks this season.
"Obviously Wake and Vernon are great pass rushers," Kalil said. "They're a fast, athletic defense . . . definitely got out hands full."
Kalil and center John Sullivan have been the mainstays along the line, joined by Vladimir Ducasse at left guard, Joe Berger at right guard and Mike Harris at right tackle. Sunday will be the second time the five have started together this season.
Minnesota has had five different starting offensive lines in its 14 games.
"The more you can have those five guys working together, and getting in the role of making sure you've got five guys functioning as one, is key," Vikings offensive line coach Jeff Davidson said. "None of us are going to sit there and worry about what does happen or what did happen or any of that stuff. We're willing to be able to go into the next Sunday and play the five best guys that we have available."
The Vikings entered this season with the starting offensive line in tact for the third straight season. With Charlie Johnson at left guard, Brandon Fusco at right guard and Phil Loadholt at right tackle, Minnesota had the same starting offensive line for all but two games the past two seasons.
"Having that, the continuous presence of guys of your starters is a luxury that not many people are afforded in this league," Sullivan said. "So you really get lucky when it's like that. We've faced a lot of attrition this year but like I said, guys have stepped up and I don't feel like we've missed a beat."
Sullivan in the middle has helped keep the line together. While the changes have occurred around him because of injury, Sullivan has been the steady presence.
"The thing that I appreciate about each of those guys in that room, but especially him, is the fact that each day he comes into work very professional, is always looking for the ins-and-outs of the defense to make sure he's on all the details before we get to Sunday," Davidson said. "That's obviously something I truly appreciate."
Next to Sullivan, Berger eventually settled the right guard spot which was the first blow of the year when Fusco was lost in Week 3. Davidson has also appreciated the professional approach of Berger, the backup and utility player over the past few seasons who has been forced in at center and guard.
Forced to go to the backups, Minnesota had three veterans in Berger, Ducasse and Harris who had all started games in the NFL before aiding the transition the Vikings have been forced to undergo.
"Joe is your consummate professional, Sullivan said. "He's an excellent offensive lineman. Vlad has some starting experience in this league, he's come in there, he's been physical and done a great job. Mike Harris has stepped up. I've played my entire career here as a starter with Phil so it's probably weirdest not having Phil around."
The names have changed. Last week's game might have forged the new group.
Follow Brian Hall on Twitter
