Quarterback Sam Darnold was constantly under pressure and failed to get the ball to his playmakers. What’s worse is that the Cardinals responded with a touchdown, creating a 19-6 deficit.

Sam Darnold heated up with the Minnesota Vikings offense late

The pedestrian Vikings offense flipped a switch the next drive. Darnold found Justin Jefferson twice for 19 yards. He capped the drive by finding tight end Johnny Mundt wide-open in the front left corner of the endzone to cut the lead to 19-13.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Crazy Comeback Win vs Cardinals

Darnold carried this momentum with him the rest of the way. A nine-play, 55-yard drive got into the redzone but stalled when running back Aaron Jones dropped a pass in the endzone. The Cardinals’ next drive ended in a field goal to create a 22-16 deficit with 3:20 left in the game. This gave Darnold and the offense a chance to take their first lead of the afternoon.

The Vikings marched 70 yards in eight plays. Darnold hit Jefferson for a 12-yard gain on 4th-and-5 to get to the Cardinals’ 21-yard line and keep the drive alive. Three plays later, he found Jones for a five-yard touchdown to give the Vikings a 23-22 lead. It was Darnold’s first career go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes of the 4th quarter or overtime.

He made sure to catch that one, Darnold to jones for the lead #skol pic.twitter.com/aDregh3CLh

— Alex Micheletti (@AlexMicheletti) December 1, 2024

This was the kind of game that no one believed the 2018 No. 3 overall pick was capable of when Minnesota signed him in March. He wasn’t riding the coattails of the defense, who allowed 406 yards of offense, including 154 yards. The Vikings’ run game didn’t do much to take pressure off him; they only gained 68 yards on the ground, including 22 from Darnold himself. Jones had two fumbles. Even the pass protection was shaky, allowing five sacks.

Sam Darnold continues building on a solid season

This was Darnold’s moment. The former third-overall pick showed that he didn’t need to be relegated to a game manager to be successful. The offense, defense, and crowd were lifeless for most of the game. But Darnold brought them back to life and spearheaded the team’s fifth straight victory.

Related: KOC Reveals Why Ed Ingram was a Healthy Scratch for Vikings vs Cardinals

The 27-year-old former USC phenom finished 21-of-31 for 235 yards and two touchdowns, his third straight game with no turnovers and efficient play. His 111.6 passer rating was his league-leading tenth game eclipsing 100-plus this season. If you didn’t know anything about Sam Darnold’s NFL career before coming to Minnesota, you’d think that he is playing like an MVP candidate. He now has 23 touchdowns and 2,952 yards through 12 games.

PRECISION throw by #Vikings QB Sam Darnold to WR Justin Jefferson 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XE1559hflY

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) December 1, 2024

Perhaps most importantly, he is becoming one of the main reasons this team is 10-2. Last week, he threw for a season-high 330 yards and two touchdowns against the Chicago Bears. But his most impressive work came on the game-winning drive in overtime. Although the drive covered 68 yards, Sam Darnold threw for 90, overcoming sacks and penalties that put the Vikings in long down-and-distances.

Darnold vs Cousins lies ahead

The Vikings will face their former quarterback, Kirk Cousins, next week when the Atlanta Falcons come to town. The former Minnesota QB had his worst game as a Falcon, in week 13, tossing four interceptions vs ZERO touchdowns vs the Chargers. Some fans and pundits will use the game as the deciding factor in whether or not the Vikings made the right decision to move on from Cousins.

Related: Kirk Cousins Went on an Interception Spree vs Chargers

But Sam Darnold’s performance, especially over the past three weeks, has shown that the Vikings not only made the right decision to move on from Cousins, but it also indicates that Sam Darnold can be more than just a fun redemption story. He is showing the league that he is capable of being a legitimate quarterback this year and beyond.

"There's no other place I'd rather play. Just so grateful to be a Viking."

Sam Darnold after the biggest comeback of his career with the @Vikings #SKOL pic.twitter.com/3v3WYC4quB

— NFL on FOX Podcast (@NFLonFOXPod) December 1, 2024

Minnesota Vikings win again – What we learned (week 13)

To the Cards’ credit, they brought it to the Vikings for most of three quarters, on Sunday. But in the 4th, Sam Darnold was able to put the offense on his back (yes you read that correctly), and lead a late 10-point purple surge that put the Vikings on top, 23-22.

That remained the end score, after one final stop from a Vikings defense that was incredibly “bend-but-don’t-break” for most of the afternoon, up until the 4th quarter. In the end, it was a big win. But it was far from that “convincing” victory a lot of fans and media pundits have been asking for. So, here is what we learned about the Minnesota Vikings in their 10th dub of the 2024 season.

Check Out: 8 Best Gifts for Vikings Fans This 2024 Holiday Season

Sam Darnold is tough, smart… and good

Prior to today’s game, local insider and columnist Charley Walters (Pioneer Press) dropped a report that made it clear the Minnesota Vikings have not ruled out Sam Darnold as their quarterback for 2025. On Sunday vs the Arizona Cardinals, he proved why.

His entire 7-year NFL career, Darnold has had issues throwing games away early. Trying to force something that isn’t there, instead of staying poised and trusting teammates. Not this week, where he had to wait 3.5 quarters and take five sacks before his coach was able to scheme guys open and his o-line figured out how to protect him.

At halftime vs the Cardinals, the Minnesota Vikings offense had put up 75 total yards. Sam Darnold, at that point, was enjoying an 8-for-9 day, worth 67 passing yards and 11 rushing yards. As the rest of the offense sputtered, and turned the ball over, Darnold was crisp, and mostly mistake free.

The offense looked better in the 3rd quarter, where they put up 82 yards of offense, easily topping their 1st half total. Sam Darnold, through three quarters, was battered, beaten (4 sacks)… and 14-of-19 (74%) for 131 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs. I mean, just look at the poise on this touchdown pass to Johnny Mundt.

Sam Darnold escapes pressure to connect with Johnny Mundt for the TD

📺: #AZvsMIN on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/lrKMC3s5Ap

— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024

Then, the 4th quarter started, and the Vikings offense found its footing, mostly because Sam Darnold was allowed time in the pocket (0 sacks). But unlike previous versions of the 2018 top 3 pick, he used that time to find all of his weapons, strategically picking apart the Cardinals defense suddenly on its heels for the first time all day.

Related: Vikings Future QB1 JJ McCarthy Gives Update on His Injury Recovery

And then, during Minnesota’s final two drives of the game, Darnold showed the NFL world how to close a game. Per usual, he found Justin Jefferson multiple times, especially in the 4th, but he also worked through reads to hit Jordan Addison for a late first down, TJ Hockenson a couple times and then Aaron Jones for a game-winning redemption TD.

BACK ON TOP!

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/ULrtwvSvoZ

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 1, 2024

For those waiting on one of those ‘ah-ha’ performances from the former No. 3 overall pick out of USC. A game where Sam was able to prove he can play the quarterback position with patience, then strike when the time is right. Well, you got what you’ve been asking for, this week.

The box score shows a steady, efficient game for the Minnesota Vikings QB1. But if you watched today’s game closely, the No. 1 reason for victory was Sam Darnold’s poise, smarts, toughness and ability to perform in the clutch. Everything you would want in a franchise quarterback.

Aaron Jones’ butterfingers are officially a problem

Let’s not spend that much time on this, because nobody needs convincing anymore. Aaron Jones has sudden Butterfinger Syndrome, and a bad case of it, at that. Not only did Jones fumble yet again, on Sunday, but he coughed it up twice in the first quarter and had to be benched. He lost the second one.

Aaron Jones with two fumbles in the first quarter pic.twitter.com/FyOTJgVhaF

— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) December 1, 2024

In the end, Jones did catch the game-winning touchdown, and his teammates/coaches all had his back after the game. But the 29-year-old veteran has now fumbled six times in the past three weeks, and that does not include the near perfect pitch that he dropped a couple of weeks ago, a fumble that was credited to Sam Darnold.

When the final whistle blew vs the Cardinals, the Minnesota Vikings got another win, so vibes are going to be good. But one week after what was probably Jones’ best rushing performance in purple, he struggled today, even beyond the fumbles, gaining just 22 yards on 5 carries.

Related: A Raise for Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell is Imminent, and It’ll Reportedly be Hefty…

As previously mentioned, his game-winning TD catch will make the aftertaste of this performance a bit more tolerable, but his 3 receptions totaled just 6 yards. And one drive earlier, his butterfingers let a perfect Sam Darnold touchdown pass slip right through his grasps.

RB Aaron Jones with a ROUGH day.

2 fumbles already and a dropped TD pass to take the lead. pic.twitter.com/riZ40gyUDG

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) December 1, 2024

Kevin O’Connell, his coaching staff and Aaron Jones need to find a way to fix whatever is going on with his relationship with the football. We aren’t talking about Ty Chandler having a fumbling problem or Jalen Nailor suddenly forgetting how to catch. Jones is an intrical part of what the Minnesota Vikings want to do on offense, and they cannot be afraid to put the ball in his hands, because of concerns he will give it away.

Minnesota Vikings defense will bend but rarely does it break

Sunday’s comeback win vs Arizona was only made possible because the Vikings’ defense put on a Sunday bend-but-don’t-break clinic. Brian Flores’ crew allowed 406 yards of total offense to Kyler Murray & Co (ARZ went 5-for-13 on 3rd downs). But once the Cardinals got into the redzone, it was game over for the red birds.

The Minnesota Vikings defense forced Arizona into kicking SIX field goals this afternoon, of which they made only five. The difference in the game. The Cardinals scored just one touchdown on the day, and it came during a 3rd quarter drive where All-Pro safety Harrison Smith was not on the field.

Blake Cashman was everywhere, collecting 11 tackles and disrupting everything Arizona wanted to do over the middle of the field. Josh Metellus had a nice game too, and made a visible difference, with 10 tackles of his own. Byron Murphy Jr and Shaq Griffen both snagged 2nd half interceptions that turned the tide of, then close the game.

.@byronmurphy picks it off for the #Vikings!

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/6oA0PuWMuR

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 1, 2024

The Vikings struggled to get pressure on Kyler Murray for most of the day, and when they did, he snuck out of the pocket and made them pay for it. The also forced Murray to beat them, something the Cardinals have not been known for, under this new coaching regime.

Related: Another JJ McCarthy Redshirt + Sam Darnold Reunion Very Much on Table for 2025 Vikings

This is a running team that Minnesota forced into passing 45 times, even though Arizona led for most of the contest. As a team, the Cardinals ran 31 times, which seems like a decent balance, until you realize that 7 of those attempts came via Kyler Murray, and most were scrambles, not designed QB run plays.

And when it mattered, both in the red zone and in crunch time, Brian Flores’ 2024 group put the clamps on, and came through. So while today’s MVP absolutely belongs to Sam Darnold, the Minnesota Vikings’ bend-but-don’t-break defense gets a close runner-up.

SHAQ ENDED EM

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/pz5tiMvKAK

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 1, 2024

Seven Minnesota Vikings are inactive today vs the Cardinals, who have five inactives of their own. There is one major surprise for the Vikings. Now 2nd string right guard, Ed Ingram, is a healthy scratch.

Minnesota Vikings Inactives

• G Ed Ingram
• TE Josh Oliver
• S Jay Ward
• OL Michael Jurgens
• DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
• CB Dwight McGlothern
• QB Brett Rypien (emergency 3rd QB)

Arizona Cardinals Inactives

• TE Travis Vokolek
• WR Xavier Weaver
• OL Christian Jones
• OLB Julian Okwara
• DL Khyiris Tonga

Ed Ingram, who’s listed as a healthy scratch, is a surprise inactive. He lost the starting right guard job to Dalton Risner two weeks ago, but he’s been active and on the sideline for both matchups.

More Vikings vs Cardinals pregame read

• Cardinals vs Vikings Broadcast Map + TV Announcers and Referee Crew for Week 13
• Minnesota Vikings Can Pretty Much Clinch a Playoff Spot vs Cardinals
• Vikings Creeping Up NFL Power Rankings in Week 13

Josh Oliver and Jay Ward were ruled out on Friday. Left tackle Cam Robinson will make the start, after leaving last Sunday’s game with a foot injury. There was also early concern about Sam Darnold, who had to leave last week’s contest momentarily, after hurting his ankle vs the Bears.

It should be noted that newly-acquired quarterback Daniel Jones is on the practice squad and wasn’t eligible for inactive status. We do not know when, or even if Jones will be active on the Minnesota Vikings roster this season.

The best team in the conference also happens to be the best team in Minnesota’s division, the 11-1 Detroit Lions. Because the Lions won, yet again, on Thanksgiving, the Vikings cannot take control of the North, no matter what happens between Minnesota and Arizona, or any other game left on the week 13 slate.

But that doesn’t mean this team doesn’t have playoff implications riding on a win. Of course, the Vikings and Lions still play one more time this season, in a week 18 finale that could decide, not just who wins the division, but who gets the number one seed in the playoffs, and a first round bye.

Minnesota Vikings can “essentially” clinch playoff spot vs Cardinals

Still, the main objective is making the postseason field, which includes seven teams from each conference. Four division winners, and three wildcards. Right now, according to projection models from both The Athletic and PlayoffStatus.com, the Minnesota Vikings have a 98% chance of making the playoffs. Pretty good odds, right?

Well, if they defeat the Arizona Cardinals, on Sunday, the Vikings would all but 100% secure their spot. It wouldn’t mathematically put them in, but it would put their odds at making the 2024 NFL Playoffs at >99%.

The Vikings can essentially “clinch” a playoff spot with a win Sunday. No, mathematically, it’s not 100%, but the amount of things that would need to fall into place for them to miss the playoffs is astronomical. On the other hand, the Vikings still have a chance at overtaking the Lions for the NFC North crown and have a real shot at securing the first-round bye.

Austin Mock – The Athletic

As long as the Lions continue to win, the Vikings need to win too. As previously mentioned, they defeated the Chicago Bears on Thursday, so Minnesota must win on Sunday, to keep their realistic hopes of winning the NFC North alive.

Vikings’ upcoming schedule should produce more wins

Finishing behind Detroit, when the dust settles on the 2024 NFL regular season, would mean no better than the 5-seed in the NFC playoff bracket, come January. According to The Athletic’s projection model, the Vikings have a 65% chance of beating the Cardinals this week, a 66% chance of defeating the Falcons next week and a 76% chance of beating the Bears in week 15.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Make Jones Signing Official, Add Recently Cut UDFA to Practice Squad Too

All of those games are at home. Then, they close the regular season with @ Seahawks (51%), home vs Packers (51%) and @ Lions (35%). But first thing is first, and the Minnesota Vikings can pretty much seal their slot in the NFL playoff bracket Sunday, with a win.

Minnesota Vikings open as favorites vs Chicago Bears

After a three-game road stretch (and over a month between games at U.S. Bank Stadium), the Minnesota Vikings will play the Arizona Cardinals for a Sunday noon matchup back at home. The 6-5 NFC West rollercoaster ride out in the desert has sportsbooks concerned about the Vikings chances of pulling out a win vs Kyler Murray and crew.

Homefield advantage is traditionally worth -3 points on a betting line, and U.S. Bank Stadium is one of the best competitive gains from a stadium crowd in all of sports. And the Minnesota Vikings have taken care of business at home, thus far this season, posting a 4-1 record at The Bank in 2024.

What these -3.5 to -4 point spreads tell us is that, on a neutral field, oddsmakers believe the Vikings are only .5 points better than the Cardinals barely-.500 Arizona Cardinals. As of now, it’s difficult to see the logic in this early week point spread.

Related: Sam Darnold Had the Best Performance of His Vikings Career vs Bears

The purple’s only home loss so far came vs the 10-1 Detroit Lions, and it took a last second drive and game-winning field goal with 15 seconds remaining, to get it done. On the other sideline, the Arizona Cardinals are coming off an ugly 16-6 road loss vs the Seattle Seahawks.

Minnesota can build off a solid offensive performance against the Chicago Bears. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores shouldn’t have to alter the Vikings gameplan on defense very much, between weeks 12 and 13.

Early keys for Vikings vs Cardinals

Bears QB Caleb Williams showed how mobile he is, rushing for 33 yards, on 6 carries Sunday, most of them via scramble situations. This week, they get Kyler Murray, another small and agile QB, who likes to run around when under pressure.

Like Williams, Murray’s do-or-die play style makes him prone to mistakes, which is something that the Minnesota Vikings defense will look to exploit. B-Flo’s group picked up three more sacks on Sunday, adding to their league leading total of 38 sacks on the season (for teams that have already had their bye week).

Kyler Murray with floater and Coby Bryant snatched it for the Pick-6 🔥😮#NFL #AZvsSEA #Seahawks #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/cSK0eySzyP

— Parlay University (@UofParlay) November 24, 2024

The Minnesota running game (specifically Aaron Jones) got going on Sunday and could again be a factor against the Cardinals. Arizona is balanced both against the pass and rush. It will be interesting to see how they combat Justin Jefferson (probably the same as everyone else has).

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Nail-biting OT Win Over the Chicago Bears

Chicago sold out to stop Minnesota’s best wideout, even after teasing single coverage during the week, allowing both T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison to eat. A win for the Vikings would give them double-digits through their first 12 games. Squarely in the playoff hunt, they are looking to hold serve in the divisional race.

While many anticipate the Vikings will make JJ the highest paid non-QB in football, there are an underwhelming minority of NFL fans and pundits who actually believe GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might have the audacity to trade their superstar wide receiver, instead of paying him.

Related: Could the Vikings be Shopping Justin Jefferson?

Justin Jefferson To The Arizona Cardinals?

It started last week with former Minnesota Twin turned local insider, Charley Walters (Pioneer Press) who wrote last week that there’s a better chance JJ is dealt than anybody is talking about. Then on Tuesday, Bleacher Report took Walters’ column and ran with it, speculating Jefferson being dealt to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.

A franchise like the Arizona Cardinals could be highly interested if Jefferson becomes available. Arizona is loaded with draft capital this year, owning 13 selections overall with six of them coming in the top 90 and two in the first round. Converting some of those picks into a player of Jefferson’s caliber would be a shrewd move for a franchise looking to contend again with a healthy Kyler Murray at the helm.

Given Arizona’s leading pass-catcher was tight end Trey McBride (81 receptions, 825 yards and three touchdowns) this past season, it’s obvious the squad needs to bring in an elite receiver to round out the offense. Drafting someone like Marvin Harrison Jr. could be an option at No. 4 overall, but using that pick to land a sure-thing in Jefferson via trade should be even more alluring.

Alex Kay – Bleacher Report

Justin Jefferson Trade Value

Trading your best player, in his prime just doesn’t make a lot of sense, but Bleacher Report believes Walters may be onto something. As for what Minnesota could net in return for JJ, here’s what Kay dreamed up:

• Arizona Cardinals receive: Justin Jefferson
• Minnesota Vikings receive: 2024 first-round pick (No. 4 overall), 2025 first-round pick, 2024 third-round pick (No. 71 overall)

Should The Minnesota Vikings Do This?

I think if you showed this trade to Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, you may not be hung up on, but they’d probably get a pretty quick “no”. But truthfully, I don’t know if there are any trade packages for JJ that the Vikings might actually be intrigued by.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Can Sign Cousins, Jefferson and Hunter Without Breaking Salary Cap Bank

It is worrisome that we are even talking about trading Jefferson, the guy completely changes the team and if the Vikings want to win, they need to sign him to an extension ASAP, not entertain trades for him.

Unless ownership opts for a full-scale rebuild, which there is no evidence of, JJ will still get his 2024 paychecks from the Minnesota Vikings. They’ll just be worth a lot more. GM Kwesi Adofo Mensah knows that his success will eventually be determined by wins and losses. And guess what, trading JJ will not equate more wins.

"Kyler Murray don't care about nobody but Kyler Murray"

Patrick Peterson comments on what's going on with his former team the Cardinals, since they are always in the news.

Full discussion ????https://t.co/imFgoT1fgs pic.twitter.com/1XYkBTJKzT

— All Things Covered (@ATCoveredPod) November 30, 2022

This isn’t true…you on some weird shit @p2 you got my number, if you really felt like this as a “big bro” or “mentor” you supposed to call me and tell me, not drag me so your podcast can grow… https://t.co/MFqbMKh3la

— Kyler Murray (@K1) December 1, 2022

Peterson fires back

As could’ve been expected, Patrick Peterson fired back at Kyler Murray on Thursday during the Vikings scheduled media session. During the interview, P2 somewhat doubled down on his original comments, though he dawdled through it quite a bit, adding at the end that he did not have Kyler Murray’s number, like the Cardinals’ QB had assumed

After finding it through a third party, Peterson texted Kyler. He’s yet to get a response. Stay tuned…

Murray tweeted last night that Peterson has his number and should reach out. Peterson in fact did not have his number but got one from an ex-teammate. Texted. No reply yet but looks forward to talking. Full quotes in a bit.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 1, 2022

Patrick Peterson explained the comment he made about Kyler Murray. He also said today he asked a former teammate for Murray's number and sent the number a text but hadn't spoken yet with Murray directly. pic.twitter.com/feb6HHe4ua

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) December 1, 2022

Peterson’s comments on Kyler Murray were savage in nature but that’s, in part, why the All Things Covered podcast is successful. When the clip above begins, for example, P2 is running down his former (Murray’s current) coach, Kliff Kingsbury. Nobody is safe.

What Murray should be more concerned about is why so many around the league seem to look down on him as a below average teammate. Because where there is smoke, there is usually fire. If Kyler doesn’t want his bad teammate reputation to stick forever, it might be time for some soul searching.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Just last month, he was publicly calling out players throughout training camp for both major and minor offenses. He was throwing temper tantrums at halftime of preseason games and went on an unsuccessful mission to vaccinate the entire Vikings locker room (and maybe the world).

So now that his team is 0-2 and on the precipice of consecutive failed seasons, you’d expect Mike Zimmer to be consumed by tyrannical episodes that include hyperventilation, flying saliva and veins that were never meant to be visible to others.

Mike Zen-mmer

Instead, we have Mike Zen-mmer now coaching the team. And this Mike believes the Minnesota Vikings should be 2-0 and expects them to win a lot of games, should they continue to perform like they did Sunday afternoon in a 34-33 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer: “We’re probably two plays away from being 2-0.”

— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) September 19, 2021

“Well, I think today was encouraging, honestly. About the heart that we played with today, and the fight that we played with today. If we play like that, we’ll win a lot of games. They may all come down to [the wire] like this, like the last two have. As long as we do that, we keep fighting and keep trying to get better, and keep working together, sticking together as a football team, then I think we’ve got a chance.

The thing that’s encouraging to me, we talked about — we haven’t done it yet — but defensively we played pretty darn good except for two big plays last week. Offensively, we played outstanding today. We made some plays on defense. We gave up a couple big plays again today, which we’ve gotta correct.

But that proved to me that we have a chance to be a really good football team. Just going out there today and the way we fought, the way we came back and the way we handled adversity, the way that we sucked it up when we needed to — the sacks by Hunter were big at the time and we had been lining up in some different defenses so we’ll work through some of those adjustments, as well.”

Mike Zimmer after loss vs Arizona

Real or Phony?

Does Mike Zimmer really feel this way about his football team? The same team that he seemed so concerned about just a few weeks ago? It’s hard to know because a lot of what we heard from Mike last night was correct. The Vikings are just a couple plays away from being a 2-0 football team. Still, there’s a lot of context left out of that statement. And if you haven’t noticed, fans are panicking in the streets of Minnesota

In fact, the panic has lead to calls for Mike Zimmer’s head. If you search the head coach’s name on Twitter, you’ll see exactly how the fans feel about yesterday’s loss. They’re wondering why a defensive head coach is leading a team that can’t stop opponents from scoring a lot of points. Or how his teams have such a knack for losing close games…

Maybe that’s why we’re hearing so much from Mike Zen-mmer. It’s difficult to be upset with others when a lot of the blame falls in your own lap.

Updated Mike Zimmer records: Assuming AZ finishes >.500, Zimmer's record falls below .300 against teams that finish the season with a winning record.

Only 1 HC remains below Zimmer with a worse record that coached for 4+ seasons in the same stretch of seasons : Jay Gruden (.211) pic.twitter.com/mJWZxcroJR

— MN Researcher (@veith_daniel) September 20, 2021

I've defended Mike Zimmer for years, but this defense is too talented to give up this many points.

— Thomas Sullivan (@Yfz84) September 19, 2021

I think Mike Zimmer lost almost the entire fan base after this game. Wonder what the locker room is like.

— Jared Barsness (@JaredBarsNFL) September 19, 2021

Supporting the kicker?

The media gave Mike plenty of opportunity to throw his kicker under the bus. And while he “thought it would be an easy one”, when Joseph lined it up, he didn’t place any blame on the kicker’s shoulders for the loss. Instead, he was somewhat supportive and expressed confidence before and after the miss. It didn’t sound like a change was coming.

#Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on Greg Joseph field-goal attempt at end: "I felt good about that kick. I know he missed the extra point earlier, but it’s kind of like that. He’s been kicking good, we’re indoors, it’s a perfect surface. I’m thinking, ‘This should be an easy one here'"

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) September 20, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

While we were all waiting for the Timberwolves to make a move before the NBA trade deadline, the Minnesota Vikings just busted into the room to steal the show. They desperately need help on the offensive line and Rick Spielman just took his first swing of the offseason at addressing the weakness that has plagued the Vikings since the early 2010’s. The latest experiment is Mason Cole, who comes via trade from the Arizona Cardinals for a 6th round pick. He’s expected to start at one of the guard positions, likely on the left side.

Sources tell me Center Mason Cole traded from @AZCardinals to the @Vikings details to follow @NFL @4th_and_forever @GOATfarmmedia

— Mark Sanchez (@Mark_Sanchez) March 25, 2021

#Vikings acquiring Mason Cole, who was Arizona's starting center last season, for a sixth-round pick. https://t.co/QYQuwXNo9Z

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 25, 2021

He started all 16 games as a rookie at center, was a back-up OL in 2019 with two starts at left guard and started 14 games at center last year. The Vikings have an opening at left guard, not center where Bradbury is. You'd have to imagine they're bringing him in to compete there. https://t.co/N4ccNK5Uw8

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) March 25, 2021

Mason Cole will fit right in with the current talent on the Minnesota offensive line. He moves well and struggles in pass blocking. His PFF grade is a very average 54.4 and none of this should be a surprise because that’s the type of return you can expect for a sixth round pick.

Cole is young (turns 25 this weekend) and was drafted in 2018 (#97 overall) so it’s possible he could come in and develop into a solid o-lineman. But let’s be honest… the Vikings don’t have the best track record in that department. Still, he’s been in the Cliff Kingsbury zone-run system so his fit makes sense.

At some point, however, you have to protect Kirk Cousins. Especially after letting his blindside blanket, Riley Reiff, go in free agency.

I sure hope Rick knows what he’s doing.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

What a great Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings played like one of the worst teams in the NFL, but still won, and now that the Arizona Cardinals have lost so… we’re officially a playoff team (if the season ended today). In fact, the Vikings would be heading to Green Bay to play the Packers in a 1st-round playoff matchup that we’ve only seen twice in history.

Your NFC playoff field, as it currently stands: pic.twitter.com/QoYKJMhh5U

— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) December 7, 2020

It’s crazy to think this Vikings team, who we thought was tanking at the season’s 1/3 point, now holds their own playoff destiny. Still, if you’ve been around this website then you saw it coming weeks ago and you were reminded again after last week’s W.

Let’s go to Lambeau.

The Green Bay Packers won again today, as part of Aaron Rodgers’ revenge tour, and took over the #2 seed from Seattle, who only put up 12 points vs the Giants in an unexpected loss. The Vikings took over the #7 (and final) seed in the NFC, and would face the Packers in Lambeau, while the Saints took Wildcard Weekend off.

Obviously, there are still 5 games that have to play out and tasks get tougher for Zimmer and Co next week, when they face Tom Brady and the Bucs/Gophers in Tampa. This week, however, we get to dream about punching playoff Aaron Rodgers in his ugly face (that not even his mother can love).

Here are how Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers playoff games have played out in the past. Remember the “Moss moon”? That happened during the first matchup… and that’s the only one of the two you want to remember. The other involved us all praying for Christian Ponder’s health so Leslie Frazier didn’t have to start Joe Webb.

that one time Randy Moss pretended to moon the crowd and Joe Buck lost his damn mind ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/DkKXnJP9nD

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 13, 2017

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan