MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings guaranteed Linval Joseph $12.5 million last March as part of the five-year, $31.25 million deal they gave him to shore up the middle of their defensive line. After an inconsistent first year in Minnesota, Joseph is giving the Vikings plenty in return this season.

He had a career-high 10 tackles, three of them for loss, and split a sack with Andrew Sendejo on Sunday as the Vikings held Todd Gurley to 3.7 yards per carry in their 21-18 overtime win over the Rams. It seemed imperative that Joseph control the line of scrimmage against the Rams, especially with tackle Sharrif Floyd still out, and the 27-year-old was at his best on Sunday.

Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph recorded a career-high 10 tackles, including three for a loss, in Sunday's win over the Rams. AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

At times last season, Joseph talked about how he was trying to do too much in the Vikings' defense, over-pursuing plays and getting out of his gap in an effort to make an individual contribution. This year, the big man says, the key is playing small ball.

"When you do too much, you hurt the team instead of helping the team," Joseph said. "That's what we learned from last year to this year, and that's the reason we're playing better together, because everybody's trying to play small ball."

Does that sound about right to you, Mike Zimmer?

"Whatever he says, I agree with," Zimmer joked after the game. "He's too big to disagree with."

Here is a review of the Vikings defense after Sunday's win:

Total defensive plays: 74

Defensive line:

Notes: With Floyd out, the Vikings again shortened their bench and asked Johnson to play more snaps at three-technique tackle. He is at his best as a pass-rusher and got a pair of hits on Nick Foles. Robison and Griffen combined for three hits on the quarterback, as the Vikings hit Foles a total of nine times. Griffen forced an intentional grounding penalty early in the fourth quarter when he beat Rams left tackle Greg Robinson with a spin move, forcing Foles to unload the ball with no one around.

Linebackers:

Notes: The Vikings' depth was tested all day on Sunday, with Cole filling in for Eric Kendricks and Greenway moving to middle linebacker for the first time in his career after Cole fractured his right ankle in the fourth quarter. Greenway also started in the nickel defense for the first time this season, jumping back into his every-down role after playing a smaller part in the defense all season. He responded with his best game of the year, posting 10 combined tackles, including one for loss. The Vikings' linebackers also helped the team find an answer for Tavon Austin in the second half, after the receiver gained 48 yards on five first-half carries. The Rams got Austin the ball five times in the second half, but the Vikings held him to 22 yards after allowing 59 on seven first-half touches. Part of that can be credited to the relentless lateral pursuit of players like Barr, who kept denying Austin the edge of the field and turning him back toward the middle of the defense late in the game.

Defensive backs:

Notes: After Newman got kicked in the head and left for concussion testing, Waynes filled at left cornerback. Outside of a 17-yard pass interference penalty that helped set up the Rams' game-tying field goal when Waynes got too grabby, the rookie did a decent job, holding the Rams to 8 yards on the four passes they targeted his way, according to Pro Football Focus. Munnerlyn was targeted six times but allowed just 16 yards on four receptions and was instrumental in keeping the Rams' group of shifty slot receivers from having a bigger impact on the game. Sendejo missed a tackle on Austin's 22-yard run in the second quarter and appeared to jump an intermediate route on Kenny Britt's 55-yard catch, rather than staying deep and helping Newman.