EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. —Interim Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur, Defensive Coordinator George Edwards and Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer addressed Twin Cities media members Monday as they prepare to face the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.

Shurmur said the main focus of the offense is to score points, in whatever method most makes sense.

"I think sometimes we have to do what's best for our team, and it's scoring points," Shurmur told Twin Cities media members during a podium session Monday.

Shurmur said the offense needs to better execute when it gets in the red zone.

"We've done a good job of marching it down there at times, but we've got to do a better job of finishing the drives," Shurmur said. "And I think that's the challenge.

"We have to do what's best for us," he added. "And certainly, we're doing what we can to try to create explosive plays."

According to Shurmur, "explosive plays" can be seen in a number of ways, not exclusively with deep passes.

"Sometimes you do it with a run, and I think we were close to having a couple explosive plays in the run game," Shurmur said. "And sometimes it's just not totally launching the ball down the field. You've got to try to create with scheme and then use the skillset of the guys you have."

If Nick gets the nod

Shurmur also addressed the performance of center Nick Easton, who stepped in to play at Detroit on Thanksgiving when Nick Easton was injured.

Shurmur said he and the offense feel comfortable about Easton's abilities if he's called up to start Thursday for Berger, who is in concussion protocol.

"We feel like the challenge is just to get him in there, because he's directing things, and get him the reps he needs to get ready for this game," Shurmur said of Easton.

He later added: "It's just a matter of trying to find the things that he does well and try to kind of build on that. And in terms of offensive line, it's being able to work together then with the guards and the tackles and then communicate with the quarterback. So, that's probably more the challenge when you're talking about a lineman. The same can be said for any young player."

Here are two topics covered by Edwards:

Balancing the defensive attack

Edwards acknowledged the strength of Dallas' offense across the board and said it will be important to balance the defense as best as possible against the run game, headed by rookie Ezekiel Elliott, and receiving threats like Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley, whom Edwards said present tough matchups.

Edwards said the first priority needs to be stopping the run while also maintaining attention on the receivers.

"That's always the balance that you're fighting from week to week," Edwards said. "If you have to take away a specific receiver and then also being able to have enough eyes in there playing the run and being able to do that.

"We put a lot on the front and the linebackers, being able to get on and off blocks to make plays," Edwards added. "We have to do well on first down to make it a decent third-down opportunity when we get to that. So, that's our emphasis – to go out and try to stop the run and then be able to contain the pass in the passing situations."

Facing the Cowboys O-line

Dallas has garnered a reputation for fielding arguably the top offensive line in the league, and Edwards isn't disputing that.

"I think this is probably one of the best offensive lines that we have seen thus far," Edwards said.

According to Edwards, the unit presents tough matchups all across the line and will be a focus of the Vikings defense heading into the game.

"They really do a good job of getting to the second level and getting to linebackers," Edwards said. "They do a good job off their double teams getting up to the next level. They do a good job pass protecting, [Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has] plenty of time. He's only been sacked, what, 15 times I think this year. They do an excellent job in pass and run."

Here are two topics covered by Priefer:

All about technique

Punter Kevin McDermott has found a lot of success throughout the first 11 games, and against Arizona on Nov. 20 he made a career-long 72-yard punt.

Priefer said Monday, however, that he doesn't want Lock to just "bomb away," and that there's a very specific technique they look at besides simply distance.

"Jeff's been hitting the ball very, very well, and I wouldn't say his punts were bombs away," Priefer said.
"I think if he gets a 50-yard punt, it's around 4.7-4.8 hang time. That's a really good punt."

Priefer then broke it down further.

"We use the 48 – 4.8, you know, 48 yards and 4.8 seconds hang time is kind of the gauge. If it's 45 [yards], then 4.5 [hang time]. If it's 50 [yards], then closer to 5.0 [hang time], and he's had several of those.

"He's hitting the ball very, very well," Priefer added. "He's confident. We're protecting him well, we're covering well, our gunners are doing a good job and we've got to keep that up. The stretch of returners we've got coming up is outstanding."

Punt coverage success a dual-effort

The Vikings have done well in punt coverage this season, and Priefer said it's a combination of Locke's success thus far and execution by the coverage team.

Priefer also reminded media members that Minnesota's punt coverage "was outstanding a year ago."

"It's been outstanding other than the one against Arizona, [when we] gave up a 32-yarder which is the longest return we've given up in over two years," Priefer said. "I would hope that it's both [Locke and the coverage]."

Priefer said he's been especially pleased with the gunners' performance on punt returns and the amount of time Locke is given. 

"We're protecting the launch point like we should for Jeff, give him the time he needs back there," Priefer said. "Plus, I think he's got 28 inside-the-20 punts, too, and still has a net over 41. So, he's doing the things we need him to do. Hopefully he'll keep doing it for us."