Nine sacks. Nine. The Minnesota Vikings offensive line tied an NFL Playoff record by allowing nine sacks in their loss to the Rams, Monday night in Glendale, Arizona. Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t do those linemen any favors early, however. Nine of the first 11 plays the Vikings ran were pass plays.

The Vikings didn’t sustain a drive until Aaron Jones broke two runs for a total of 20 yards on consecutive plays. Then Sam Darnold was sacked and threw an interception. Darnold was sacked on the first three offensive possessions, losing 29 yards in total.

Sam Darnold takes sacks…so many sacks

When asked after the game where his offense struggled most, O’Connell pointed to the Vikings’ interior offensive line. It struggled to move the Rams on both run and pass plays.

Kevin O’Connell says there is “no question” the Vikings have to solidify the interior of their offensive line this offseason.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 14, 2025

Kevin O'Connell: "We've got to find a way to solidify the interior of the pocket. … There could be a 1,000 excuses made, but for me, it's the foundation of the interior of the pocket that we're going to have to take a long look at."

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) January 14, 2025

But Darnold does take a lot of sacks. It’s a thing he does. He holds the ball. But were all these sacks his fault? Many of them were, but some of the blame falls on Kevin O’Connell for putting Darnold in those situations by calling long-developing pass plays.

Not a single sack took less than 2.5 seconds, which is the cutoff for the stat “pass block win rate.” The offensive line “won” more than they lost, but 11 pass block losses is still a lot.

More context: the Rams allowed six pressures to the Vikings’ 24, meaning the Rams offensive linemen owned the blitzing Brian Flores. Meanwhile an injury-riddled Minnesota offensive line struggled to contain LA pass rushers.

Only 2 of Darnold's 6 sacks taken have come in less than 4.4 seconds. None faster than 3.2 seconds per @NextGenStats

— Bill Smith (@BillSmithNFL) January 14, 2025

Oh man, only 11 of those 24 pressures happened within 2.5 seconds of the snap.

My God, Sam.

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 14, 2025

The combination of ball-holding quarterback, long-developing plays, and poor line play created a perfect storm that sunk the Vikings’ ship. Regardless, the offensive line has been a problem in Minnesota for as long as this writer can remember.

Minnesota Vikings’ offseason opportunities

There’s an opportunity to remedy the situation this offseason. The Vikings have all the money in the world to spend ($73.2 million), and All-Pro right guard Trey Smith is a free agent.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss

When it comes to the 2025 NFL Draft, both Tyler Booker (Alabama) and Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) are projected to be drafted right around the Vikings’ selection (24th), according to CBS Sports. So there’s hope on the horizon, especially with left tackle Christian Darrisaw returning from a knee injury that ended his season.

More must-reads:

• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss
• Cheap Tickets Helping Minnesota Vikings Fans Take Over State Farm Stadium vs Rams
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Devastating Blowout Loss vs Detroit Lions

The Minnesota Vikings finished 14-3 in the 2024 NFL regular season. It was only the second time in franchise history that they reached 14 or more victories. The last time, Randy Moss and Randall Cunningham led them to the 1998 NFC Championship Game.

Thus, Vikings fans entered Monday night’s Wild Card contest vs the Los Angeles Rams with skeptical optimism. Sure, we’ve been hurt before, but most of those teams were not nearly as prolific in the regular season as this Vikings team was… right?

Sure, but it didn’t matter. Tonight, the Vikings fell behind the Rams early and never mustered a counterpunch. By the time halftime rolled in, Minnesota was already down 24-3. When the slaughter in Glendale, AZ was over, the scoreboard showed a final score of Rams 27, Vikings 9.

What We Learned: Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams (Wild Card Round)

Sam Darnold continued his regression back to the 1st round bust we thought he had evolved from, up until week 18, Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores were both desperately outcoached by his mentor Sean McVay and many of his former colleagues in LA.

Here is what we learned about the Vikings during an all around brutal playoff performance that raises all sorts of offseason questions that now need answered.

Sam Darnold lost a lot of money vs the Los Angeles Rams

There is one thing NFL pundits and doubters can never take away from Sam Darnold. In 2024, the USC product had an unbelievable regular season with the Minnesota Vikings, throwing for over 4,300 yards, 39 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions, earning his spot as a Pro Bowler and even a legitimate MVP candidate.

But over the past two weeks, when the pressure got heavier, he crumbled and reverted back to the 1st round bust that Jets and Panthers fan long ago gave up on and chased West. Vs the Rams, Darnold again looked like he didn’t know where pressure was going to come from or what to do with the football once it did.

And when he did have time, the 27-year-old didn’t know where he was supposed to go with the football. If his first or second reads weren’t available, Sam Darnold struggled to move on to his next receiver or find his outlet option. Then… there were throws that were so bad they cannot be logically explained.

SAM DARNOLD IS MISSING HIS BRAIN TODAY… THE LAST POSSIBLE THING IN THE WORLD HE COULD DO IS TAKE A SACK.

It took the Rams over six seconds to get to him and he still just didn’t throw the ball.

Pathetic showing.pic.twitter.com/k2y6LBnhi7

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 14, 2025

What is this throw?
I want to say he was trying to slow WR down so he doesn’t take a big hit on the defender in front of him… but not sure what this is… Sam Darnold looks like the blitz & speed has gotten to him. The #Vikings have to run quicker plays & go no huddle… pic.twitter.com/EssoRchDHd

— Ron Johnson (@3RonJohnson) January 14, 2025

Sam’s stats in Monday’s loss — 25/40 (62.5%) | 245 Yards | 1 TD | 1 INT — weren’t as bad as last week vs the Detroit Lions (18/41, 166 Yds). But most of the night Monday, Darnold looked like a deer in headlights, who didn’t understand that standing in the middle of the road too long would result in him being turned into venison hamburger.

Related: Daniel Jones is Emergency Use Only for Vikings vs Rams

Suddenly, a quarterback that many believed would get upwards of $50 million per season now has a much different reality in his future. Sure, Sam will still get a multi-year deal as a starter in the league… but it won’t total $150 to $200 million. Maybe $100, and it won’t be fully guaranteed.

Troy Aikman and Joe Buck on Sam Darnold/Vikings QB situation.

"That conversation's a different conversation today than it was 2 weeks ago."

"Not to be simplistic…But the way the Vikings have played over the last couple of weeks. He's at least cost himself some money." pic.twitter.com/MnWi4d446J

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 14, 2025

Kevin O’Connell, Brian Flores were put in their place by Sean McVay

Once upon a time, Sean McVay was the up-and-coming hot-shot head coach that was taking the world by storm and reinventing the offensive side of football. Back then, Kevin O’Connell was working under him as an assistant and Brian Flores was working through what would wind up as a failed head coaching stint with the Miami Dolphins.

Entering the 2024 Wildcard round, the narrative was much different. Sean McVay and the Rams went all-in for a Super Bowl a couple years ago, and it worked. But they’ve been a team that is lucky it plays in a bad division ever since.

So while McVay’s Rams were struggling to make the Playoffs this year, NFL pundits and oddsmakers were focused on his former underling, Kevin O’Connell and an overqualified defensive coordinator that was being held back by a lawsuit he has against his own employer.

Related: Harrison Smith Planning to Retire; Vikings to Re-Sign Young Talented DBs

O’Connell will likely win NFL coach of the year and Brian Flores has finally earned his way back into head coaching interviews, solely based on how he has turned the Minnesota Vikings defense from a weakness to strength in just two seasons.

But Monday night, Sean McVay put his former assistant and his former assistant’s assistant back in their place. Even in a week where the Rams had to give up a home game while they worried about family/friends who were back home dealing with out of control wildfires, McVay was able to focus his group to a point where they looked head and shoulders more prepared than O’Connell’s Vikings.

As for Brian Flores’ defense, which has been one of the best in the league all season in the red zone, Matt Stafford made McVay’s offense look like a hot knife cutting through warm butter.

Kyren Williams ran the fake and still got the TD from Matthew Stafford 😱 @OmahaProd pic.twitter.com/oe7PG4iWmD

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 14, 2025

Stafford finished with just 209 yards, but he spread the wealth around to 8 different receivers and made the Minnesota Vikings defense pay no matter how they tried to play him. If Flores called for a blitz, he picked them apart 5-15 yards at a time.

If they played coverage, he sat back and found open receivers downfield. Really, this game was over before the Minnesota Vikings offense even got going because the LA Rams scored 24 points in their first six drives of the game and the Vikings scored none.

Related: Vikings Insider Warns: Do Not Discount Kevin O’Connell Trade Rumors…

How? Obviously, you need the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s… but today, it was like McVay knew exactly what the Vikings were trying to do against them on both sides of the football. Is that because he and O’Connell are best friends, or because he is a better coach? Who knows… but he was certainly the better coach tonight.

Will it cost Kevin O’Connell his massive contract extension? Probably not. Will it cost Brian Flores a head coaching job? No, because he probably wasn’t going to get one from any of his interviews anyway. But without a doubt, McVay reminded the NFL world that he is still the gold standard of coaches in this league.

The Minnesota Vikings will always disappoint you

To wrap this up, tonight was an important reminder for those of us who have been here before and an early learning lesson for those who have not. If you are committing your football fanhood to the Minnesota Vikings then you are setting yourself up for year-in and year-out heartbreak.

It doesn’t matter how well they play in the regular season or how different this coaching staff is, than those of Vikings’ past. But at the end of the day, we cannot have nice things. And until proven otherwise, this is always how it ends. In heartbreak.

More must-reads:

• Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss
• Cheap Tickets Helping Minnesota Vikings Fans Take Over State Farm Stadium vs Rams
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Devastating Blowout Loss vs Detroit Lions

The Minnesota Vikings are getting ready to start the second playoff run of Kevin O’Connell’s tenure where, against the Los Angeles Rams, the third-year head coach hopes to earn his first playoff victory.

On Thursday, due to the dangerous wildfires blazing in the Los Angeles area, the Wild Card contest was moved to Glendale, AZ, which is a popular winter destination for snowbird Vikings fans who like to find warmer weather this time of year.

Minnesota Vikings fans trying to take over State Farm Stadium

Since I’m in Las Vegas visiting family after watching my alma mater once again lose the FCS Football Championship Game, I thought I’d check ticket prices for the game. Hell, it’s only a 10-hour round trip from Vegas, after all. When prices came up, I was shocked.

Before I went to bed last night, tickets in the upper deck at State Farm Stadium were going on the secondary market for over $400 on Gametime. This morning, those same tickets are less than $60.

Thursday night’s prices were due to the inability to buy tickets on the primary market. Those didn’t open up for public consumption until Friday afternoon. First, they were released to Rams season ticket holders, then Vikings season ticket holders, before finally opening up for everyone.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Will be “One of the Greats” Says NFL Super Agent

The change in location created a unique opportunity for Minnesota Vikings fans to see a road playoff game that may feel much more like a neutral site matchup… maybe even closer to a home game.

LA Rams fans never stood a chance once this game was moved

SoFi Stadium in LA is notorious for being heavily attended by road fans. On the contrary, Vikings fans are known for their ability to travel. Throw in a shorter travel time and snowbird destination city…and Monday could be primed for a road-turned-home game for Minnesota.

.@RamsNFL & @AZCardinals season ticket members received the first chance to purchase tickets for Monday night's Vikings-Rams game that will now be played in the Cardinals stadium. 52K tickets were sold to these fans in the 2-hour priority window. General public sale now open at…

— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) January 10, 2025

State Farm Stadium can be expanded to handle a capacity of 78,600 people, so Rams season ticket holders buying 25,000 left a lot of available tickets for Vikings fans. NFL.com’s put tickets up for public sale to all fans at 2 PM Pacific time.

As we get closer to game time, I expect secondary prices to continue dropping, as Rams fans realize they can’t travel to Arizona. Once those tickets go up for sale, it’s more likely they are picked up by Minnesota Vikings fans, which could continue to push the fan ratio in favor of the purple.

Related: LA Rams WR Charged with DUI Before Playoff Game vs Vikings

Of course, those in the Los Angeles area have bigger things to worry about than whether the Rams can beat the Vikings in a playoff game that would have meant nothing to their city just a handful of years ago, when their franchise was located in San Diego. I also worry for those near the wildfires in LA and hope everyone is staying as safe as possible.

More must-reads:

• Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Devastating Blowout Loss vs Detroit Lions

It took nine-straight Minnesota Vikings wins to get to where we were on Sunday night against the Detroit Lions, but their first regular season conference title, a No. 1 seed, an first round bye and home field advantage was all in front of the Vikings in week 18.

All they had to do was win on Sunday night. But that’s often a task that is easier talked about than completed, especially against the Lions. Unlike Minnesota, Detroit was crowned as the NFC North victor by just about every pundit on the planet. And they have performed as advertised, even with half of their roster missing with injuries.

Entering this 2024 regular season finale, though, no team in the NFL was hotter than the Minnesota Vikings. As long as Sam Darnold was able to handle the pressure of a moment bigger than anything he has been apart of in his football career… how would a depleted Detroit Lions team keep up, right?

What We Learned – Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions (Week 18)

Then, as often happens… the game started. And instead of a shootout between two of the highest powered offenses in the league, we got a defensive slugfest for the first three quarters, in a game the Vikings failed to score a touchdown in.

No, the Detroit Lions defense wasn’t THAT dominant. Instead, tonight’s scoring issues were very much due to the Minnesota Vikings’ own ineptitude and a failure to take advantage of key opportunities. So, here is what we learned in a 31-9 beatdown at the hands of the Detroit Lions.

Sam Darnold couldn’t handle the pressure of the moment

It’s been an incredible season for Sam Darnold. there is no denying that. We’re talking about a dude that everybody had written off, entering 2024, and he finished the year as a top 5 MVP candidate, throwing for 4,300 yards, 32 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions.

He was a baller and next season, the USC alum will be rewarded with a contract in the range of $35-$45 million per season. But tonight, Sam was anything but spectacular. It started early. The 27-year-old red rifle looked shaky, overthrowing receivers left and right, including Justin Jefferson on multiple touchdown opportunities.

Then, there were moments like this when Darnold just didn’t throw to wide open receivers, like this pick slant designed for Jordan Addison. It was a great play and Addison had a walk in touchdown… had Darnold thrown it.

Sam Darnold doesn’t throw to a wide open Jordan Addison

This was designed for Addison all the way. Nailor took his defender out the play… Darnold just didn’t throw it

This is very very bad pic.twitter.com/SfYMDo4ffT

— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) January 6, 2025

Sam Darnold has looked AWFUL so far today…pic.twitter.com/akRw1EL2hi

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 6, 2025

Sure, the Minnesota Vikings offensive line struggled to keep the pocket clean for much of tonight’s contest. But had Sam Darnold hit on some of these routine throws, the Vikings would have jumped out to an early lead and this game would have looked a lot different.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Trade Rumors…? Multiple Teams Interested in Minnesota Vikings Head Coach

Instead, he missed them… a lot of them. And in the end, this was one of Sam Darnold’s worst performances of 2024, both on paper and via the eye test. On the night, Darnold went 18-of-41 (44%) for just 166 yards, 0 touchdowns and a QB rating of 55.5.

And that led to the biggest blowout loss of the season, a 31-9 beatdown that now sets the Minnesota Vikings up for a Wildcard road game next weekend against the LA Rams, the only other team (and location) that the Vikings have lost against.

Kevin O’Connell couldn’t handle the moment

I don’t think this should make Sam Darnold feel any better, but he wasn’t the only guy who crumbled under the pressure tonight. His head coach Kevin O’Connell rode the struggle bus too. The Minnesota Vikings turned the ball over on downs twice inside the 5-yard-line tonight, leaving an easy 6 points off the board.

Then, with a kicker who clearly isn’t feeling right, O’Connell decided to kick a field goal from 51 yards out, on 4th and 3. It landed in the right corner of the endzone. The Lions then got the ball at their own 41 yard line, where they proceeded to drive 59 yards and the second of Jahmyr Gibbs’ four rushing touchdowns. He added 23 carries and 139 yards, too.

ERRRROU!

Will Reichard erra o FG de 51 jardas.

📺 Assista Vikings x Lions ao vivo na @ESPNBrasil pic.twitter.com/ORKgkj2WJq

— NFL Brasil (@NFLBrasil) January 6, 2025

We’ll see if tonight’s blowout loss changes anything with what appeared to be an NFL Coach of the Year lock, for Kevin O’Connell. But in week 18, our head coach showed an inability to adapt to his game day surroundings.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Week 18 Practice Squad Elevations Curiously Elude New QB…

He didn’t realize his quarterback had a case of the yips until it was too late, and then he trusted his kicker when he shouldn’t have. If KOC makes better decisions in those moments vs the Lions, Sunday night would have looked a lot different.

Minnesota Vikings refused to seize opportunities vs Detroit Lions

At the end of the day, we can’t blame Sunday’s loss on only Sam Darnold and/or Kevin O’Connell. They played a huge part in the Minnesota Vikings week 18 downfall, for sure, but this loss was about the Vikings inability to seize the moment.

Any time they were presented with an opportunity to take hold of the game or climb their way back into it, Sam missed a wide open receiver or Andrew Van Ginkel dropped a pick-6 interception that wasn’t necessarily easy… but undoubtedly was right there in his hands.

.@nyjets fans had London Games flashbacks with this one!

Andrew Van Ginkel ALMOST had the pick 6 🤏 pic.twitter.com/1VS7fBov1M

— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) January 6, 2025

It was like we were watching the early season 2023 Vikings all over again, when no matter how well they played, they couldn’t stop turning the ball over. Different problem, same type of feeling. That in the most crucial moments, things were always going to go wrong. That is not a feeling we have dealt with a lot during 2024.

More must-reads:

• Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss
• Cheap Tickets Helping Minnesota Vikings Fans Take Over State Farm Stadium vs Rams

The Minnesota Vikings take on the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football for the NFC North crown, and number one seed in the playoffs. Each team is 14-2 on the season, setting up a thrilling matchup in Detroit.

Minnesota’s elite defense vs Detroit’s high powered offense will be a massive factor in this matchup. This includes Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores vs Detroit’s offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and boy do these two have some history.

The History of Brian Flores vs Ben Johnson

Brian Flores has been a revelation for the Vikings since being hired as defensive coordinator, and the same can be said about Ben Johnson as offensive coordinator for the Lions. This is not the first time Flores and Johnson have crossed paths, either.

In 2018, Flores was hired as the Miami Dolphins head coach, where Johnson was the wide receivers coach. Flores fired Johnson in order to bring in his own staff. Johnson was recently asked about this, and he had this to say.

Lions OC Ben Johnson smirks about not being retained by Vikings DC Brian Flores when he was Dolphins HC 😏

Sunday Night is going to be incredible pic.twitter.com/dnGvTXPrWr

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) January 2, 2025

Brian Flores’ Minnesota Vikings defense

This Vikings defense has been terrorizing offenses all season. Minnesota has generated a turnover in each game they have played, which is something no other team in the league has done this year. Flores defense has generated a whopping 22 interceptions on the season, the most in the league by far.

The defense is also fourth in the league in opponent points per game, allowing only 18.8 points per game on the season. Only the Chargers, Chiefs, and Eagles have allowed less.

Nothing says Brian Flores’ defense like a safety getting pressure on an OLB interception. First of Dallas Turner’s career pic.twitter.com/fzbdqJLXoC

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 22, 2024

no defense gets more out of blitzes than Brian Flores Vikings

but Jared Goff absolutely destroyed his Vikings blitz

13-of-14 (93%)
11.6 YPA
+0.66 EPA/att
67% success

Goff is now #1 in the NFL v blitz this year

playing great & Ben Johnson has given him a ton of answers v blitz pic.twitter.com/CLkQ8YPc6U

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 21, 2024

However, the Lions offense gave Minnesota’s defense problems in their first matchup. Detroit scored 31 points, including four consecutive touchdown drives. They averaged 7 yards per play and were efficient both on the ground and through the air. Creating a turnover or two will go a long way in Flores winning this chess match vs Johnson.

Quarterback Jared Goff completed 22/25 passes for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns while Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 carries. Flores has often been praised for confusing other quarterbacks and causing turnovers, and Minnesota will have to do a better job of confusing Jared Goff this time around to cause more incompletions and hopefully, interceptions.

Ben Johnson’s Detroit Lions offense

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been in complete control of this offense all season. The Lions are averaging a whopping 33.3 points per game this season, the most in the league. They are 2nd in yards per game as well, averaging 410 yards per game, trailing only the Baltimore Ravens. They’ve also had 5 games with 40 points and 0 turnovers.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Week 18 Practice Squad Elevations Curiously Elude New QB…

Johnson’s offense is lethal through the air and on the ground. The passing attack ranks 2nd in the league with 266.1 passing yards per game. On the ground, Detroit ranks 6th, averaging 144.4 rushing yards per game. Johnson will likely target the Vikings the most through the air.

Minnesota Vikings has the 2nd best run defense in the league only allowing 88.1 yards per game. However, although Minnesota leads the league in interceptions, they rank 28th in passing yards allowed, with 243.6 allowed per game.

X factors for Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions

There are a few key matchups in this coordinator showdown. For Minnesota, slowing down star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will be huge. It’s no secret Detroit is an elite passing team, and St. Brown is the engine that makes their air attack go. In the first matchup, St. Brown recorded 8 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in Minneapolis. The Vikings secondary will need to contain St. Brown much better in this matchup in order to see success.

Another key player for Detroit is Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs torched the Minnesota Vikings on the ground in the first matchup, and with David Montgomery out Gibbs is now the bell cow back in Detroit. He will likely see 20+ touches on Sunday Night. This is a very intriguing matchup, as Minnesota has an elite rush defense and Detroit has an elite rush offense.

Randomly remembering this BEAUTIFUL run from Jahmyr Gibbs against the Vikings earlier in the season ⚡️#OnePride pic.twitter.com/xJ6yY8B62M

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) December 26, 2024

Gibbs and Detroit won this matchup the first time around. So, look for Flores to emphasize slowing Gibbs on the ground in order to attempt to make Detroit one dimensional. If Minnesota can contain Gibbs, Flores and the Vikings will be in a good spot to win this matchup vs Johnson and Detroit.

Brian Flores and Ben Johnson are very familiar with each other, and there may be a bit of a personal edge in this game for these two coaches. They are both head coaching candidates, so each will be looking to outwit the other through their schemes and play calling, as they have both done to opposing teams all season. Sunday night should be an absolute thriller.

More must-reads:

• Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss
• Cheap Tickets Helping Minnesota Vikings Fans Take Over State Farm Stadium vs Rams

The Minnesota Vikings entered their week 17 NFC North rivalry matchup vs the Green Bay Packers with everything to gain, and plenty to lose. A win set up a winner-take-all NFC regular season finale vs the Detroit Lions.

A loss vs the Packers, however, wouldn’t just put the No. 1 seed at risk. It would mean they could still drop as far as the No. 7 seed, depending on how week 18 played out. In other words, we’ve had some big Minnesota vs Green Bay games throughout the history of this rivalry, but not many have had the implications that December 29, 2024 did.

What We Learned – Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers (Week 17)

Related: Kevin O’Connell Contract Extension is Reportedly Coming Soon

And guess what? For the 9th-straight time, the Minnesota Vikings put a notch in the win column, defeating the packers 27-25 in a game that, thanks to a near disastrous final seven minutes, ended up way closer than it should have been. But look beyond the scoreboard tonight, and it was clear who the better team was. So, without further ado, here’s what we learned today about the now 14-2 Minnesota Vikings

Sam Darnold just keeps getting better…

Look, we know Sam Darnold was once a very talented quarterback. We’ve heard it over and over again, since he signed with the Minnesota Vikings. “If Kevin O’Connell can get the best out of Darnold…” or… “Ability isn’t the problem for Sam”.

But what reality unveiled during the 2024 Minnesota Vikings season is so much more than anything fans or pundits could have plausibly imagined. And on Sunday vs the Green Bay Packers, we saw the 27-year-old former 1st round bust take yet another step in his positive development as an NFL QB.

From his pre-snap reads and adjustments, to his cannon right arm delivering throws that make you double-take… Darnold did it all for the Vikings on Sunday, just like he has for the entire season. On the day, Darnold went 33-of-47 for 377 yards, 3 touchdowns and one interception.

Jordan Addison.

My goodness.

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/aM1msezXyx

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 29, 2024

Early on, the Packers made it impossible to get the ball to Justin Jefferson, so Sam threw it to everyone else, spreading it around to eight different receivers. As the game progressed, JJ stayed patient and delivered huge catches in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

When the dust settled, JJ still led the team with 8 receptions for 92 yards. His best one was called back for an offensive holding. But Jordan Addison caught six passes, including a touchdown. TJ Hockenson and Jalen Nailor both snagged five, Cam Akers caught a touchdown… you get it.

Darnold wasn’t perfect, and he made some mistakes late that certainly cost the Vikings big time, especially his interception. But no QB in this league is perfect. With just one game remaining, Sam has thrown for 4,153 yards 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on the season. His completion percentage is 67%.

Will Reichard nearly cost the Vikings a huge win vs Packers

The Minnesota Vikings’ biggest problems on Sunday came via special teams. Brandon Powell’s muffed punt recovery could have been costly, but he recovered it, so there was no harm done. Instead, it was kicker, Will Reichard who cost them 6 points and an easy win.

Related: Dolphins Pondering a Move that Could Fix Vikings Interior DL Problems Immediately

After starting off the season perfect, the rookie kicker out of Alabama sustained an injury that cost him four games, and his first two misses of the season. On Sunday vs the Packers, he missed kicks from 57 and 43 yards. One hit the cross bar, the other hit the left post.

Vikings' kicker Will Reichard just MISSED a 43-yard FG.
The kick was indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium.
GB 10, MIN 27 (9:22 – 4th)
Estimated Make Probability: 86%
Level of Difficulty (STUD): 60th Percentile pic.twitter.com/rq2Nd6zOu3

— Field Goal Bot (@FieldGoalBot) December 29, 2024

Oh, and he missed a third attempt that didn’t count because of a Green Bay penalty. I was caught up in Will Reichard mania earlier this season, too. But there is something wrong with him right now, and the Minnesota Vikings need to get it figured out.

The only reason the Packers were able to make today’s game competitive was because Reichard left six points off the scoreboard. There is no plan B. Kevin O’Connell isn’t going to Mike Zimmer the kid. But, he is not in a good headspace for a place kicker on a supposed Super Bowl caliber team.

Doubt the Minnesota Vikings at your own risk

This week, I heard numerous NFL pundits say that the Green Bay Packers were a better football team than the Minnesota Vikings. Sure, the Vikings won their first matchup of the season, which was @ Lambeau. But ‘Jordan Love was injured’… or ‘this is a different Packers team now’… ‘this is Josh Jacobs team’.

Sure, the Vikings are on an 8-game winning streak, but the Packers had won nine of their last eleven, including two blowouts in their last two weeks vs New Orleans and Seattle. And at the end of the day, many still did not trust Sam Darnold, or a Vikings team that was projected to finish last place in the NFC North, heading into the season.

But after today’s convincing sweep over the hated Packers, it’s impossible those haters still exist, right? The Minnesota Vikings just stomped the Green Bay Packers for 3.5 quarters, before nearly allowing a 27-10 lead to evaporate. But they got it done and the stats tell the bigger story, compared to the final score.

Related: Division Rival Coming for Vikings DC Brian Flores…?

On Sunday afternoon, the Vikes offense outgained the Pack 441 yards to 271, even after their near collapse. They also won the time of possession battle 34:25 to 24:30. Sam Darnold was hurried just three times all day. Jordan Love was hurried six times by Vikings pass rushers. He threw for just 185 yards and 1 touchdown.

📍: The Quarterback

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/UrFqr98RIT

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 29, 2024

2024 is now the second greatest regular season in franchise history. The only other season the Vikings reached 14 or more wins when rookie Randy Moss lit the NFL world on fire for the 15-1 1998 Vikings. The purple went 15-1 in that 17-week regular season. The league expanded to 18 weeks in 2022.

More must-reads:

• Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss
• Cheap Tickets Helping Minnesota Vikings Fans Take Over State Farm Stadium vs Rams

How long can a great dream really last? That’s what Minnesota Vikings fans have found themselves asking, as this Cinderella Sam Darnold season goes on. Could this team really win 15 of their 17 games, the NFC North title and a regular season NFC Championship?

Those types of seasons are hard to come by, when looking through Vikings history… and are engrained in the heads of those who witnessed them. Years like 1998 and 2009. But here we are, 16 weeks through the 2024 NFL season (a supposed rebuild year) and this overachieving team had a chance to be 13-2.

So, how did head coach Kevin O’Connell, quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Justin Jefferson handle such pressure? They staved off a hungry Seattle Seahawks team 27-24, on the road, by taking care of the football and taking advantage of opportunities on both sides of the football, when presented.

Darnold showed his stones, yet again, and Justin Jefferson went off for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10 receptions, while everyone else chipped in for 12 more, as Sam did his best to spread the wealth.

As a result of their 13th victory, the Minnesota Vikings hold their own destiny for the NFC’s No. 1 overall seed (and a 1st round playoff bye), with just two weeks to play. So… without further ado, here is what we learned about the Vikings in week 16 vs the Seahawks.

Minnesota Vikings secondary needs Harrison Smith (and the Seahawks knew it)

Let’s talk about the defensive side of the football for a moment. Early Sunday afternoon, legendary Vikings safety Harrison Smith landed on the inactive list. It wasn’t a total surprise, given The Hitman was in and out of practice all week, but that didn’t help the defensive secondary prepare for the all out aerial assault the Seattle Seahawks had planned for week 16.

With Smith in street clothes on the sideline, Seattle offensive coordinator and play-caller Ryan Grubb put Sunday’s contest squarely on the right arm of his quarterback, Geno Smith. The Seahawks ran 25 offensive plays in the first three quarters. Only 8 were run plays, 34 pass.

After running the ball three-straight times to start the game, it was all Geno. The 37-year-old QB out of West Virginia wasn’t great, but he was good. On the day, Smith completed 31-of-43 passes for 315 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Related: Franchise Tagging Sam Darnold is the Minnesota Vikings’ Only Option

Early, the Seahawks offense played the dump-down game, which helped bring the second level of the Vikings secondary up. Then, they attacked the Harrison Smith-less defense, completing passes of 17, 15, 25, 20, 25 and 18 yards in the first half, alone.

But in the second half, the Vikings defense cracked down. Geno went 18-of 26 for 1 TD and 1 INT, for just a 79.8 passer rating. It wasn’t their best showing of the season, in part thanks to Harry’s absence, but they showed up when it mattered. Like the last defensive play of the game, which was a game-sealing Theo Jackson interception, his first of the season and second of his three-year NFL career.

WHAT. A. FINISH.

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/EFXsCwFDzM

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 23, 2024

Sam Darnold has stones of steel

Much like Geno Smith, Sam Darnold was far from perfect for the Minnesota Vikings in week 16, but he was steady. After an efficient 1st half, where Sam went 14-of-21 for 128 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, the 27-year-old former No. 3 overall pick stood in the pocket during the second half and took hit, after hit.

But Darnold only allowed himself to be sacked once. And while it wasn’t his most efficient game (62.8%) the USC alum delivered when it mattered most, especially late in the 4th quarter. None of Sam’s passes were bigger than this 4th quarter off-platform touchdown to Justin Jefferson, which put the Minnesota Vikings back up by three points, a 27-24 lead they never gave back.

.@JJettas2 CLUTCH.#ProBowlVote

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/HFiWQZibHR

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 22, 2024

That was Sam Darnold’s third TD pass of the afternoon, and the second to Jefferson. He finished 22-of-35 for 246 yards, to go with those touchdowns. His 112.3 passer rating was the 12th time he’s gone over 100.0 this season. It was his 11th game throwing multiple touchdowns, including 15 TDs in the last six weeks.

In that stretch, he’s thrown just one interception. Sam Darnold is not perfect, but every single week he looks more and more like the top-5 pick he was originally supposed to be. Week 16 was no different. In other words, Sunday’s performance vs the Seattle Seahawks will do very little to calm fans who are wondering how the Minnesota Vikings will ever let Darnold go this offseason.

Just keep winning, baby…

Every single week, the Minnesota Vikings have to find a new way to win. Without Harrison Smith wandering the secondary, and getting in Geno Smith’s head pre-snap, the Seahawks were able to push the football down the field. Minnesota was outpaced 361 net yards to 298, and Geno Smith threw for 314 yards.

Related: Vikings Kevin O’Connell Has “It” Says HOF Head Coach

But, the Vikings still managed two interceptions, stretching their total on the season to 22, which tops the NFL. Brian Flores’ bend but don’t break defense was way more breakable in week 16, than what we have seen for most of this season. When it mattered most, though, they did their job.

And now, the Minnesota Vikings have just one more week to go, before what is currently lining up as one of the most epic finishes in NFC North / NFC Central history. If the Vikings and Detroit Lions both win in week 17, then their matchup in week 18 will decide, not only who wins the division, but who wins the NFC regular season crown… which comes with a 1st round bye in the playoffs.

More must-reads:

• Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss
• Cheap Tickets Helping Minnesota Vikings Fans Take Over State Farm Stadium vs Rams

It’s possible that the Minnesota Vikings have simply forgotten how to lose. They’ve now ripped off seven victories in a row to climb to 12-2 on the season. They now control their own playoff destiny, after the Detroit Lions lost to the Buffalo Bills.

Now, after dominating the Chicago Bears at home, on Monday Night Football in week 15, the Vikings will pack up for week 16 and take flight to Seattle, where they will do battle vs the 8-6 Seahawks, who are tied for first place in the NFC West, and their “The 12th Man” home field advantage.

Week 16 NFL Odds: Minnesota Vikings open as -3.5 favorites @ Seattle Seahawks

But at least for now, oddsmakers do not care that the Seattle Seahawks are at home, or that they are battling for a playoff spot. On Tuesday morning, Vegas put their money on the road Minnesota Vikings, pinning them as -3.5 favorites for week 16.

Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has been dealing with a calf injury. He’s missed the past two games. Their other running back, Zach Charbonnet, has been good in Walker’s absence. But the Seahawks are hopeful they will get their RB1 back vs the Vikings.

The weather should be warmer in Seattle Sunday, than what the Minnesota Vikings have dealt with recently, on the road. But (of course) there is rain in the forecast. We know Kevin O’Connell isn’t the biggest fan of running the football, but he may have to rely on Aaron Jones & Co more often, if that forecast holds true.

Related: Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Catches TD, Shouts Out Randy Moss on MNF

Could these early odds have anything to do with uncertainty surrounding who will be under center on Sunday? Their starting quarterback Geno Smith was injured against the Green Bay Packers, in week 15, but it sounds as if he’ll play. Nonetheless, it’s a situation to watch.

Geno Smith –

Not seeing a whole lot here other than a “jam” situation as his cleat sticks in the turf. Not much at the ankles.
Wonder if it’s his knee after forced max flexion with his cleat sticking.

He remains on the sideline with staff for now. pic.twitter.com/dyQYLsYWnp

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 16, 2024

Other factors to keep in mind…

After starting the 2024 season on a five-game winning streak, the Vikings suffered through a four-day stumble, back in October, that resulted in two (quick) back-to-back losses.

First, they lost to the Lions in week 7 (Oct. 20), on a last-second field goal. Then, Sam Darnold & Co boarded a plane and flew to LA, where they fell to the Rams in week 8, just four days later, on Thursday Night Football. It’s worth noting they are again flying to the west coast, on a short week.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Convincing MNF Win Over Bears

The Vikings have already beaten Seattle’s NFC West rivals, Arizona and San Francisco, but did fall to the Rams, as mentioned earlier. With just three games remaining this season, the Seahawks need to win on Sunday, if they want to control their own playoff destiny, come week 17.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings need a win to keep up their pressure on the Detroit Lions, now that both teams have the same record. These two NFC North rivals meet in week 18. It’s very possible that both the division title and a No. 1 playoff seed could on the line, which would make for one of the most important regular season finales in division history.

More must-reads:

• Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss
• Cheap Tickets Helping Minnesota Vikings Fans Take Over State Farm Stadium vs Rams

Everything came together about as well as the Minnesota Vikings could have asked for during week 15. Even prior to taking the U.S. Bank Stadium field on Monday Night Football vs the Chicago Bears, the Vikings had already clinched a playoff spot.

But wait, there’s more. The Detroit Lions finally lost their second game of the season, too, opening the door for Minnesota, in multiple ways. So… you’re telling me there’s a chance? That’s right, by the time Monday morning rolled around, the Vikings held their playoff future in their own hands.

Beat the Bears on Monday Night Football, and everything was still on the table. Win the final three games on their schedule, and the Minnesota Vikings will take the NFC North. They’d also claim the No. 1 seed in the 2024-25 playoffs, which comes with a 1st round bye.

Yes, everyone picked the 11-2 Vikings — a -7 point favorite at home — to beat a reeling 4-9 Bears team. But this is Minnesota, where wins rarely come easy. And at times on Monday night, it looked like that would again be the case.

What We Learned: Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears – Week 15

Fortunately, even though the Minnesota Vikings did not bring their A-game to U.S. Bank Stadium, the Bears proved multiple times that they indeed have very little interest in winning, right now. Chicago shot themselves in the foot just about every time a window of opportunity opened, which made it impossible to keep this a game, and the Vikings rolled to a 30-12 victory. So, what did we learn tonight?

Kevin O’Connell does not like running the football

We can probably slide this under the ‘things we already knew’ category, but the Minnesota Vikings head coach proved again on Monday just how much he dislikes running the football. Not only was his team leading vs the Bears from start to finish, but we also saw an unusually inaccurate Sam Darnold tonight, too, thanks to a pinky injury he suffered early on.

TV showed Sam Darnold appearing to hit his hand on a helmet during that 2-minute drive. Whether by coincidence or not, Darnold was trailed closely into the locker room by Tyler Williams, the Vikings' VP of player health and performance.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 17, 2024

So, with Aaron Jones averaging nearly 5 yards per carry, you’d think head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin O’Connell would want to ride his running game to a victory, right? Controlling the clock, wearing out Chicago’s defensive line and relying on a really good defense to stop a Bears offense that is not running on all cylinders would have made sense. But that isn’t how KOC rolls.

Instead, the Vikings entered halftime up 13-0 having thrown the football 24 times vs just 10 rushing attempts. But in that first half, Darnold hurt his right pinky, and had to wear some sort of bandage that affected his accuracy on multiple throws.

Related: NFL Exec Says ‘Talking Heads’ Do Not Understand How Much Vikings Love JJ McCarthy

Do you think that pushed O’Connell to run more, at the start of the 2nd half? Hell no, Darnold threw 11 passes in the 3rd quarter, vs just 7 rushing attempts for Jones (zero for anyone else). Finally, after the Minnesota Vikings went up 27-6 in the 4th quarter, KOC called off the dogs.

Still, Aaron Jones finished with only 18 carries, which he turned into 86 rushing yards on the night. Sam Darnold, meanwhile, ended 24-of-40 for 231 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He spread the ball around to all of his major weapons, but Justin Jefferson led the way with 7 catches for 73 yards and a TD that ended with a heartfelt shout out to Randy Moss, who announced a battle with cancer on Friday.

"We love you Randy, that's for you" 💜

Justin Jefferson showing love to Randy Moss after the TD 🥹 pic.twitter.com/fiSD5Vl4Df

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 17, 2024

If there is one thing O’Connell proved tonight, it’s that he will call pass plays until you force him to do otherwise. Tonight, it did not hurt him. Will it hurt him during the playoffs? We will find out, but it is worth noting that, when the Vikings do run lately, they have done it pretty effectively, as long as Aaron Jones holds onto the football.

Minnesota Vikings defense figured out Caleb Williams

The biggest difference in Monday night’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears was the way Brian Flores’ defense kept Caleb Williams in the pocket, while confusing him with different coverages and pre-snap looks.

Yes, the former USC star did throw one touchdown, late in the 4th quarter. But overall, the Vikings stuck with a four-man pressure and forced Williams to stay in the pocket, keep his eyes downfield and read coverages, which he struggled to do.

Related: So, the Minnesota Vikings Officially Clinched a Playoff Spot… Now What?

That resulted with the 2024 No. 1 overall pick holding onto the football FOREVER, at times, while waiting for receivers to get open downfield. And he wasn’t very successful with it, finishing 18-of-31 for 191 yards and a garbage time touchdown. The Vikings defense would have had another TD, had Andrew Van Ginkel not missed a block.

WHAT A HIT!@JonGreenard7 and @blockayyy team up for the strip-sack and fumble recovery.#ProBowlVote

📺: @ABC pic.twitter.com/PqY4f8fDQr

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 17, 2024

This, just a few weeks after the same rookie QB threw for 340 yards and 2 touchdowns, in Chicago. That afternoon, Williams killed the Vikings repeatedly by making plays with both his feet and his arm, after being forced out of the pocket by Minnesota’s pass rush.

Monday night, the Vikings’ pass rush was much more disciplined, and it paid dividends. The Bears were held scoreless during the first half, and went just 1-of-9 on 3rd downs (1-for-3 on 4th downs).

Bad teams find ways to lose

You don’t have to be a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan to know tonight’s home team didn’t play its best game of the 2024 season. But when you play against bad teams, those opponents seem to find ways to lose, and that’s what we saw from the Chicago Bears in week 15.

Every time the Bears gave themselves a chance, there was a penalty or some other self-inflicted wound that nullified the play. That included a 3rd quarter touchdown that was erased because a sixth offensive lineman did not report to the referees as eligible on the play.

The Bears linemen forgot to report as an eligible receiver and the touchdown was taken off the board 😳pic.twitter.com/nch45GDNJU

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 17, 2024

A TD would have made the score 13-6, with an extra point yet to come. Instead, the Bears settled for a field goal. They didn’t find paydirt again until the game was already over, when Caleb Williams threw a garbage time touchdown to Keenan Allen that made the score 27-12.

Related: Sounds Like Kirk Cousins New Teammates are Ready to Move on Already

All season long, we’ve seen the Minnesota Vikings find ways to win games, even during weeks that they did not bring their best effort for all 60 minutes. Tonight, we were reminded of what it looks like when a team does the opposite, making losing plays at all the worst moments.

More must-reads:

• Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss
• Cheap Tickets Helping Minnesota Vikings Fans Take Over State Farm Stadium vs Rams

The Minnesota Vikings (11-2) are hosting the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football this week. It will be the second meeting between these teams in just 22 days. Minnesota emerged victorious in a bizarre 30-27 overtime win on Nov. 24 in Chicago.

A Bears loss would mark their eighth in a row, the second-longest losing streak in franchise history. During this skid, they’ve dismissed offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and head coach Matt Eberflus. In short, our Windy City rival is in shambles.

But let’s be honest, that doesn’t guarantee a Minnesota Vikings victory, come Monday. So, let’s explore five key stats from the Chicago Bears’ seven-game losing streak that Vikings fans should know before this week 15 rivalry game kicks off.

Caleb Williams doesn’t just give the ball away — ZERO interceptions during 7-game losing streak

Somehow, the Chicago Bears have found a way to lose seven-straight games, even though their starting quarterback has gone that entire stretch without throwing an interception. According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, this is the longest streak by any rookie starting quarterback since 1950.

How is that even possible? Well… it shouldn’t be. In a game where turnovers lead to losses more than any stat in the box score, the Bears can’t buy a win even though their QB refuses to turn the ball over. It’s possible Caleb Williams proves himself as a prospect so good that he couldn’t be screwed up. But man, the Bears sure are trying.

Unfortunately (from a Vikings' perspective) Caleb Williams had a really, really good day against Minnesota.

Tight window throws, impressive scrambles, and high level processing against the blitz. He understands the game. Did throw a few balls into harms way but wasn't punished. pic.twitter.com/GOojzVfyah

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) November 26, 2024

Of course, Williams is far from perfect. Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), the rookie has recorded six turnover-worthy plays, in the last three games alone. That includes three against the Vikings, in Week 12, a career high. The mission for Minnesota’s defense on Monday: Take advantage of the opportunities Caleb presents them.

Rookie QB is holding the ball too long again — 3.41 time to throw vs Lions

When Waldron was fired as OC and play-caller, after week 10, passing game coordinator Thomas Brown took over offensive play-calling duties. Initially, this seemed to help Williams. According to Next Gen Stats, Williams averaged 2.42 seconds to throw in both weeks 11 and 12, a season low.

Latest Injury Report: One Minnesota Vikings Starter Remains Sidelined, Others Getting Healthier

But the past two games, we’ve seen a definitive regression. Against the Lions in Week 13, Williams held the ball for 3.41 seconds—a season high. Last week against the 49ers, he brought it back down toward his season average, of 2.86 seconds.

More time holding onto the football usually means more sacks being taken. Caleb Williams’ 2024 game logs are a perfect example of that. He’s been sacked 12 times in the last two weeks, vs just 6 times in weeks 11 and 12, immediately following the play-caller change. On the season, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick has been sacked 56 times, the most of any other NFL QB.

Yetur Gross-Matos has sacked Caleb Williams three times today. #49ers pic.twitter.com/xj2TWvn0f5

— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) December 9, 2024

Caleb Williams is on pace to be sacked SEVENTY THREE times this year 😮 pic.twitter.com/YVPHB9k0iR

— Marquee Bears (@BearsMarquee) December 14, 2024

Chicago Bears making an effort to get the ball to D.J. Moore – 28 receptions in last four games

After a run of seven weeks (six games) earlier this season, in which DJ Moore failed to record more than five receptions, the 27-year-old former first round pick has caught six or more passes in each of the Bears’ last four contests, though his production has been sliding again, of late (just 49 yards on 6 receptions last week).

Quicker passes in the first Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings matchup, back in Week 12, helped Moore post one of his best games of the season. He racked up a total of seven catches for a season-high 106 yards.

The Maryland alum also caught this game-saving rope from Caleb Williams, a gorgeous throw between two levels of Minnesota’s secondary. This was a key play to Chicago forcing overtime that afternoon.

Game on the line, Caleb Williams stepped up in the pocket and delivered a dime to DJ Moore between several Vikings defenders to set up the game-tying kick. What a throw in a clutch spot. pic.twitter.com/B2DWZw7r3u

— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) November 25, 2024

A significant portion of this production came on quick plays. Four of his receptions were caught behind the line of scrimmage, accounting for 63 yards. Additionally, Moore attempted a backward pass that nearly resulted in a touchdown to fellow wideout Rome Odunze. The throw narrowly fell incomplete in the end zone.

Chicago defense struggling to stop the run — Minnesota Vikings gained 124 yards rushing in week 12

Chicago’s defense absolutely shares plenty of the blame for their seven-game losing skid, especially against the run. The Bears have allowed at least 100 yards on the ground vs each and every opponent during this historic losing streak.

Opposing running backs are averaging 154.3 rushing yards per game in that time, too, which may be an even uglier stat. This brutal stretch of rush defense has pushed their defensive ranking in rush yards allowed per game all the way down to 28th in the NFL. That includes vs the Minnesota Vikings a few weeks ago, who tallied 124 rushing yards on 27 carries (4.6 YPC).

Aaron Jones’ fumbling issues were felt in week 12, but he still managed 106 yards, on 22 carries, and scored two total touchdowns. Not only did Jones have one of his best games, as a Viking, but T.J. Hockenson (7 Rec, 114 Yds) and Jordan Addison (8 Rec, 162 Yds, 1 TD) feasted too.

Aaron Jones runs 40+ yards for the Vikes into the goal line. pic.twitter.com/JcOCz346Nj

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 24, 2024

The Chicago Bears’ defense was on a mission to stop Justin Jefferson, in their first matchup. You could argue its effectiveness. Sure, they held Justin to just two receptions and 27 yards. But the Bears’ two-high bracket coverage opened up everything else within the Vikings’ offense especially in the run and play-action game.

Last week vs the Falcons, Minnesota unleashed a more refined version of that same balanced attack to dismantle the Falcons, and take some pressure off JJ. It worked and Sam Darnold had his best day, as a Viking. They’ll look to punish Chicago the same way, if they choose to focus on Jefferson again this time around.

Chicago Bears have been starting slow — 53 yards of offense in 1st half last week

The Bears’ offense has struggled to start games over the past two weeks. On Thanksgiving against the Lions, they managed only 53 yards of offense in the first half. Last week, they gained just four yards in the first half against the 49ers—the lowest total for any NFL offense in a first half since 2000.

While Chicago rebounded with 248 yards in the second half against Detroit, they couldn’t replicate that success against San Francisco, managing only 158 second-half yards. Minnesota will need to sustain second-half efforts to avoid another late rally from the Bears, as happened in Week 12.

Related: Sounds Like Kirk Cousins New Teammates are Ready to Move on Already

With their division rival in the house on Monday night, if the Minnesota Vikings’ offense can limit turnovers and the defense can contain Caleb Williams, our favorite football team should be 12-2, entering week 16 of the 2024 NFL season.

With Chicago’s run defense struggling, the Vikings may find another opportunity to establish dominance on the ground—and potentially get Aaron Jones involved in a big way.

More must-reads:

• Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss
• What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Yet Another Demoralizing Playoff Loss
• Cheap Tickets Helping Minnesota Vikings Fans Take Over State Farm Stadium vs Rams