The defense that was so dominant during Minnesota’s 5-0 start has morphed into a rather ordinary unit.

Opponents have since adjusted with quick passes and well-timed play calls to neutralize what has been a relentless rush, the turnovers haven’t come as often and the Vikings have been more susceptible to those confidence-sapping third-down conversions.

Just as much of a factor in the recent rut, though, could be the seemingly illogical problem of players trying too hard to help stop the slide.

“When you’re struggling and you’ve got a bunch of really good guys, guys that really care, guys tend to try to do a little too much, including myself,” coach Mike Zimmer said.

“Instead of allowing guys to make plays, you try to make plays for them. We just need to settle down. We need to do what we do. Get back to being the Vikings defense again.”

Washington’s Kirk Cousins averaged around 2 1/2 seconds to release the ball when he dropped back to pass last week, when the Vikings (5-4) lost their fourth straight game . Detroit’s Matthew Stafford and Chicago’s Jay Cutler followed similar quick-throwing strategies in the games before that.

“We’re going to have to adjust how we do some things with the pass rush,” Zimmer said.

The Vikings have only three sacks over the past four games. Not coincidentally, each of the past three opponents have converted exactly half of their third downs.

“If you look at the tape, they’re getting the ball out quick. They’re running boots. They’re running screens. They’re doing all the things to slow us down in the rush,” defensive end Everson Griffen said.