EAGAN, Minn. — On the 12^th day of training camp, Vikings running backs ripped off explosive rushes, defensive pressure collapsed the pocket, and Kyler Murray and Justin Jefferson boosted their connection.

The warm weather returned Wednesday to TCO Performance Center, but nobody seemed to mind it. That's because the team is cruising at an ideal speed to its initial exhibition on Saturday at the Giants. In other words, there's supreme focus on the task at hand: competing to be the best version of the Vikings.

Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores spoke before the session and prefaced the business trip to New York/New Jersey this weekend by noting it's a great opportunity to execute assignments under stress.

"It's been a really good training camp so far," Flores told media. "I think guys are getting better, improving techniques, fundamentals, communication, camaraderie. A lot of competition really across the board. I think we've got a good vibe, a good energy, and starting to form an identity defensively, day after day after day. And I think the guys continue to put work in, good meetings, good walk-through, good practice — stacking good days, just kind of seeking improvement in all their different areas, specific and relative to their position. And we've had a lot of fun as well. So just want to continue on that trajectory."

Here are three observations from the 12^th training camp practice:

1. Running room

The "Play of the Day" belonged to RB Jordan Mason, who popped a home run versus the second defense. Mason, who is listed at 230 pounds, ran through a tremendous hole on the right side of the line between guard Joe Huber (standing in for Will Fries, again) and tackle Brian O'Neill, then accelerated into the clear for a long TD. The 27-year-old Mason has a bruiser's reputation, but on this occasion, he was more like a blur.

Later on, while the first offense competed against the first defense, Mason cued his physicality and lowered his center of gravity as he rummaged through bodies for a chunk. Aaron Jones, Sr., kicked off the same period with a big gainer to the left side, and he did even better near the end of practice, accepting an inside handoff and cutting to his right ever so slightly before taking off for a probable six-point play.

Mason and Jones, by the way, are listed as co-starters on the team's first unofficial depth chart.

Rookie Demond Claiborne had a couple solid carries, as well, including a burst around the left end for the second offense (versus the first defense) that was set up by nifty blocks on the very first play of 11-on-11.

2. Scheming heat

Minnesota's pressure packages looked like they were in mid-season form.

On one down early in practice, Joshua Metellus collected a sack, zipping in untouched off the edge when the first defense brought the house against the second-team offense and QB J.J. McCarthy. A few plays after that, Jalen Redmond and Jamal Adams met, quickly, in the backfield for a "would be" sack of the third-year quarterback. But wait, the second defense wanted in, too. Isaiahh Loudermilk, who teammates and coaches call "Milk," busted free for a sack on Murray in another all-out look that dropped a player or two into coverage once the play began.

Toward the end of the session, the offense went into scout mode and acted as the Giants to prep the Vikings defense for Saturday. When that happened, the defensive front seven smothered the offense with Max Brosmer at QB.

3. In rhythm: K1 & Jets

For the second consecutive practice, there was clear chemistry between Murray and Jefferson.

Their highlights Wednesday started with a pretty connection in the post, in which Murray nailed the WR1 in stride, and then a follow-up pass to "Jets" bordering the right sideline that would've moved the sticks.

They also clicked in the 7-on-7 period, with Murray going to Jefferson in a timely manner on a shallow in-breaker, and again on a deep out route that brought applause and Griddy celebrations from the fans.

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