Vikings kicker Greg Joseph missed a field goal as time expired to give the Cardinals the win and help Minnesota move to 0-2.

However, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer doesn’t think that’s why the team lost on Sunday. Zimmer, who has publicly derided his kickers for poor performances in the past, came to the support of Joseph after his missed field and extra point in Week 2.

“This kid has kicked well. He missed a couple this week. That wasn’t the reason why we lost the game,” Zimmer told Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune and others. “Lots of kickers miss field goals. Let’s give the kid a break, OK?”

Joseph went 3-for-3 on extra points and hit the game-tying field goal in the loss to Cincinnati. In the preseason, Joseph missed two field goals, both of which were from over 50 yards.

Zimmer is right in that the game cannot be entirely blamed on Joseph. The Vikings’ retooled defense was gashed by the Cardinals offense for most of the matchup. That group has to be better if the Vikings want any hope of turning their season around.