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.

At least, that was the plan as recent as this afternoon, when head coach Sean McVay met with reporters and told them he believed that still to be the plan. But wildfires in Los Angeles are still out of control, and player/fan safety was growing increasingly difficult to guarantee.

Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams moved to Glendale, AZ

So, with the NFL up against a clock — setting up a Monday Night Football playoff production is not a simple task — the league made the decision on Thursday evening to move the game to Glendale, AZ, at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals. The time of the game Monday has not changed.

VIKINGS-RAMS RELOCATION: In the interest of public safety, Monday's Vikings vs. Rams Wild Card game has been moved to Arizona.

The game will be televised on ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ at its scheduled 8pm ET time. pic.twitter.com/VVJcRZrSYM

— NFL (@NFL) January 10, 2025

Obviously, the Rams did not want their home playoff game moved to Glendale, especially given how many Vikings fans reside in Arizona during the winter. The Rams do not have an avid fanbase, given they just moved from San Diego, meaning this contest could feel more like a Minnesota Vikings home game, than the higher-seeded Rams.

Don’t take it from me. After the change in venue, Minnesota has jumped from a -1 point favorite to a -2.5 point favorite, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see that line continue moving in the Vikings direction, as we get into the weekend.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Looking Rather Healthy to Start Wildcard Week

Not only will the Minnesota Vikings have a better ratio of fans in attendance, but they now have a much shorter flight and only have to lose one hour between time zones. All we can do is hope and pray for those in LA who are directly affected by these horrible wildfires. But from a pure football standpoint, you cannot deny how much of an advantage the Vikings gained with this change in location.

NFL provides statement on Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams

Due to the wildfires spreading throughout California, the NFL might be forced to move Monday night’s matchup between the Vikings and Rams. The fires are rapidly spreading towards Los Angeles and this could very well have an effect on the location for Monday’s game.

Statement from the NFL regarding the Rams-Vikings playoff game scheduled to be played Monday night in Los Angeles: “The NFL continues to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with both clubs and the NFLPA.”

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) January 8, 2025

Potential solutions

Of course, that may not be the case, given how many Minnesota Vikings fans reside in Arizona. But obviously, the optimal outcome would have the Minnesota Vikings squaring off against the Los Angeles Rams in their scheduled Monday night Wild Card game in Los Angeles. Should the game need relocating, though, the NFL has officially chosen Arizona as the emergency site.

NEW YORK — Jan. 8, 2025 — The NFL’s priority is the safety of the Los Angeles community. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the first responders. Our hearts are with Los Angeles and everyone affected by the fires.

We continue to prepare to play the Vikings-Rams game as scheduled Monday night at SoFi Stadium. As with all games, there are contingency plans in the event a change in location is needed. In this instance, the game would be played on Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, if necessary.

We will continue to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with public officials, both clubs and the NFLPA.

NFL Statement on Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams game

The Arizona Cardinals, having concluded their season, have an available stadium ready to host Vikings vs Rams, if necessary. The proximity of Arizona to Los Angeles simplifies travel for fans, ensuring the game remains, in a technical sense, a home fixture for the Rams, even if played away from their usual turf.

Related: Lone Minnesota Viking Makes NFLPA All-Pro Team

How this could impact the Minnesota Vikings

The Palisades wildfires are a grave concern in California, far outweighing the significance of any football game. The Minnesota Vikings have issued a statement expressing solidarity with the victims. Given the situation, if the game has to be relocated, it definitely could adversely affect the Vikings.

Travel and practice schedules are crucial for NFL teams on the road, and a last-minute change could disrupt any preparations. However, this scenario might also have a silver lining for the Vikings, in terms of a competitive advantage.

Related: NFL Expert Predicts Trade That Would Fix Minnesota Vikings Future DB Problem

Should the game be moved to a new location, especially a place like Glendale, AZ, it’s almost certainly to lead to more Minnesota Vikings fans. These circumstances are beyond any person’s control, and it is important that the NFL has a contingency plan in place. We’ll keep you posted on whether or not the league is forced into such a drastic measure.

Las Vegas or Arizona seem like the most logical places to host this game if LA is unable, and they could most likely keep it at the same time. The Minnesota Vikings must be ready for any changes to be made, as the call could be made at any time.

It’s a redo matchup of Week 8, and follows a sort of deja vu timeline of events from earlier in the season. Their two losses prior to last night’s debacle happened in back-to-back games, within a four-day span between October 20 and October 24.

Because of their loss last night to the Lions, the Vikings will take the second best regular season record in franchise history out to LA, for a Wildcard matchup vs the Los Angeles Rams. Thankfully, they have 8 days to prepare vs just four days, last time. This time around, however, a loss would end their season.

Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams Playoff Odds

Maybe it makes you feel better, maybe not. But the oddsmakers do not believe in deja vu this week. Vegas has pinned the Minnesota Vikings as -2.5 point road favorites vs the LA Rams at two of the three major sportsbooks.

In week 18, the Los Angeles Rams rested their starters vs the Seattle Seahawks. Jimmy Garoppolo got a heavy workload, in place of Matthew Stafford. He went 27-of-41 passing for 334 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Ram lost 30-25 and finished their season 10-7.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Devastating Blowout Loss vs Detroit Lions

In the Minnesota Vikings’ first matchup vs the Rams, Puka Nacua surprisingly returned from injury and Brian Flores’ group wasn’t ready. He caught 7 passes (9 targets) for 106 yards. Matthew Stafford threw for 279 yards and 4 touchdowns and Kyren Williams added 97 rushing yards on 23 carries.

Vikings need Darnold, O’Connell to be better vs Rams this time around

If the Minnesota Vikings want to continue one of the best campaigns in its illustrious history, they will need a much better version of their offensive leaders, Sam Darnold and Kevin O’Connell, than what those two displayed in week 18 vs the Lions. The pressure will be on again, and this time it’s win or go on offseason vacation.

It’s fair to assume that O’Connell will be named 2024 Coach of the Year, but his performance against the Detroit Lions was poor, just like the play of his QB, who went 18-of-41 for 166 yards, 0 touchdowns and a 55.5 QB rating. The refs didn’t help the Vikings’ cause… but what else is new?

How was this not a facemask call on Sam Darnold?! Just lost them the game pic.twitter.com/3yP7b1qC1a

— cade (@CadeBuffalow) October 25, 2024

Related: Jordan Addison’s Dad Sounds Off on Kevin O’Connell, Others After Vikings Loss

If the Minnesota Vikings can go on the road to LA and earn a victory they couldn’t two months ago, then a third date vs the Detroit Lions would likely be on the docket. You know what they say, 3rd time’s a charm…

Minnesota Vikings vs LA Rams: Bad night for NFL referees

Three different times, on third down, LA was gifted three more downs via Vikings penalties. Some of the calls were so brutal that it left the Prime Video broadcast crew wondering who some of the calls were against, and if the refs got their number wrong. Like this “hold” by Byron Murphy Jr…

They called this a hold on Byron Murphy Jr? pic.twitter.com/6BBfa3XuQi

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) October 25, 2024

But those drive-saving gifts to the Rams weren’t even the worst part about the zebras’ performance Thursday. No, that came at the very end of the game. With the Minnesota Vikings down 8 points, and backed up into their own endzone, things got weird.

Related: Has the NFL Figured Out Brian Flores’ Defense?

Sam Darnold dropped back, tried to scramble to his right, before he was ripped down in the endzone by the left side of his facemask. The guilty party was LA Rams pass rusher Byron Young.

It was one of the most clear and obvious facemask penalties on a QB that you have ever seen. Unfortunately, the refs were momentarily blinded by the bright lights of Los Angeles, and “didn’t see” the egregious penalty.

this ref literally must be blind

staring RIGHT AT the face mask, no call pic.twitter.com/dwE3BzCBgL

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 25, 2024

After the game, referees stood defiantly behind their call. Their excuse? That none of the SEVEN on-field refs saw the penalty take place. This, even though at least three of them were staring directly at the penalty when it happened.

Thus, the Rams got their two points for a safety. And just like that, it was a two-score ballgame, ending any hope the Minnesota Vikings had at a late comeback.

Referee tells Sam Darnold he was pulled down by his shoulder pad…

One day later, there are videos and photos everywhere, analyzing just how a call this obvious was missed. By referees who are supposed to be the best in their business, at that. In the frenzy to find the best possible shot of zebra misconduct, Michael Rand (Star Tribune) clipped a slow motion video of one referee talking to Sam Darnold, immediately after the Vikings QB pulled himself up off the artificial SoFi stadium turf.

Related: Vegas Still Believes in Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell

It happens at the very end of the video he posted to Twitter. In the clip, you see Darnold grab his facemask and yell back at the ref, “FACEMASK”. Immediately after, the ref comes in from the left side of the screen and you can clearly see him mouth, “SHOULDER”. Obviously, he is implying that Sam was ripped down by his shoulder pads, not facemask. To that, Sam yells, “NOOO!”.

Here is a long look at all the replays of the facemask missed last night in the Vikings game. Very end of the clip you can see the referee say "shoulder" to an irate Sam Darnold pic.twitter.com/PXgX4WAYtp

— RandBall (@RandBall) October 25, 2024

The most frustrating part about last night’s call, beyond the fact that it ended any chance the Minnesota Vikings had at mounting a late-game comeback, was the cockiness of which the refs acted, after the play. Every single person in that stadium knew it was a facemask, except for the referees.

Instead of getting together and making the obvious call, even if it was after the fact, they acted as if they were right and the entire football world was wrong. Then, after seeing they were wrong on video, after they game, all they have to say is, ‘we didn’t see it’.

Related: Christian Darrisaw Injury Update: Minnesota Vikings Star Left Tackle Done for Season

Yeah, ok… well that’s why everyone was screaming at you to look at the damn jumbotron, so they could be let in on the secret too.

I know this is how this stuff goes, but I still can’t get over the lack of accountability on that no-call. Just so disrespectful to so many. https://t.co/iw8FQ3EkCO

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) October 25, 2024

It was just a few weeks ago when we were all riding high on the start of the 2024 Minnesota Vikings. That was back when we had the brightest up-and-coming offensive head coach in the league, paired with a legitimate NFL head coach, who’s been demoted to defensive coordinator, due to a legal spat with his bosses.

How is anyone going to stop this duo? Well, that seems a long time ago now, because opposing coaching staffs have certainly found a way to bring both of Minnesota’s genius schemers back down to earth. We’ll talk about KOC and his offense momentarily. Let’s focus first on Brian Flores’ defense.

What is going on with the Minnesota Vikings defense?

On paper, we are seeing a lot of the same things from the 2024 Minnesota Vikings defense, as what we saw in 2023. They stop the run really well, or in Thursday’s case, well enough (104 rush yds allowed vs Rams). But this Vikings defense can really struggle at times defending against the pass (386 yds pass yds allowed vs Rams).

So, opposing offenses have been running vs the Vikings less and less, which has their team statistics vs the run and pass looking extremely lopsided. This was the same thing we saw last season, before the defense fell completely off the rails in the second half of the season.

The Minnesota Vikings defense has let it be known, via their tape, that they are very gettable on short to intermediate passing routes, if the opponent has good enough wide receivers (Puka Nakua and Cooper Kupp) to get open on short-breaking routes.

Related: Minnesota Vikings vs Rams Ends on Most Egregious No-Call Facemask Penalty in Football History

Toss in a veteran QB, who can identify defenses at an above-average level. Mix those ingredients into a pot, along with an elite offensive play caller and schemer, like McVay… and you get one hot pile of problems for this Minnesota Vikings defense.

Is it time to panic yet?

So, that’s it huh. Brian Flores’ defense must be washed, right? Do we need to worry about the Vikings being sliced and diced every week, now that opposing offenses know how to exploit the weaknesses of this Minnesota defense?

Probably not. Remember, both the Detroit Lions (Ben Johnson) and Los Angeles Rams (Sean McVay) employ two of the best offensive minds in the NFL. Yes, the Vikings have played better QBs than what the Rams and Lions have. But they weren’t the savvy vets that the Lions or Rams have, in Jared Goff and Matt Stafford, respectively.

And, in weeks one through five, opposing playcallers hadn’t been given the correct answers to Brian Flores’ test, yet. Now, the NFL clearly has them. But not every team has a really good QB, and now it’s up to Flores and KOC to come up with a counter punch to what these offenses have figured out.

Related: Christian Darrisaw Injury Update: Latest on Minnesota Vikings Star Left Tackle

Let’s not forget how dirty the refs did the Vikings defense, throughout Thursday’s matchup. When you’re already struggling to get off the field, it hurts when three different times last night, the zebras gifted LA three more downs via yellow penalty flags, on plays that would have lead to a turnover on downs. Some of them were egregious, too.

This was called holding on the Vikings.

NFL refs are the worst 😭 #SKOL pic.twitter.com/jYKPtrPVHl

— Locker (@PlayLockerLive) October 25, 2024

The Vikings defense misses Blake Cashman

Another clear problem has been the absence of Blake Cashman, who has been missing in action the last two weeks, due to a turf toe injury. The former Minnesota Gopher has become one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL.

The Eden Prairie native has instincts against the pass that are so good, it’s possible not having him out there the last two weeks has caused this major hole in the short to intermediate passing defense, that the Lions and Rams have feasted on.

Make no mistake: this loss is pinned on brutal #vikings defense. But when the NFL makes a big show about protecting QBs, and two officials watch a QB’s head get yanked 180 degrees by the facemask without flinching, something is really, really amiss.

— Jess Myers (@JessRMyers) October 25, 2024

Nonetheless, as head coach Kevin O’Connell noted on Thursday night, after the loss in LA, if the Minnesota Vikings do not find a way to stop offenses from completing quick-breaking hot-routes, teams are going to continue to try and copy what the Lions and Rams did against them the last two weeks.

There were stupid mistakes and even dumber penalties. From pass interference, to illegal formation, Kevin O’Connell’s less than disciplined group committed a total of nine penalties, for 50 yards.

Related: Local Insider Identifies Two Intriguing Minnesota Vikings Trade Targets

The Minnesota Vikings scored touchdowns on their first two drives of the game. After that, they failed to punch it in for seven the rest of the night, instead settling for two field goals in the final three quarters. It was an ugly, ugly loss and one that requires this team to look itself in the mirror, over the next 10 days, before they resume their season on November 3.

There, I wrote three paragraphs without complaining about the referees in tonight’s game. Because the referees did not lose this game for our Vikings. Let’s make that clear, before we move forward. But holy moly, were the zebras bad tonight. Almost as bad as the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings lose on egregious no-call facemask penalty

But no call on the night was worse than what happened on the purple’s final offensive play of the game. Sam Darnold, who was 18-of-25 (72%) for 240 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT on the night, dropped back into his own endzone, where he held onto the football for far too long, before pressure came from the left side.

That forced Darnold to step up in the pocket where he then saw 258 lb EDGE Byron Young hurling towards him. Sam dipped and Young hooked onto the left side of Darnold’s facemask, which caused the Minnesota Vikings quarterback to spin down to the ground. It was a clear and obvious 15-yard penalty and a first down for the Vikings. Except… it wasn’t called. So instead, it was a safety, and the dagger in Thursday’s game.

Byron Young has a fine incoming for the blatant facemask officials missed.

Small price to pay for a game-sealing play that changes a lot of things for the #Rams.

pic.twitter.com/bAbSRBrfuL

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 25, 2024

Again, this game is not on the referees. The Vikings did not deserve to win tonight. They were outplayed, outhustled and outmuscled by the Los Angeles Rams. But there is absolutely no way this facemask penalty is missed against any team outside of Minnesota.

How in the world does this missed call happen…?

I mean, the situation makes the missed call even worse. All referees are in pretty tight, given the Minnesota Vikings were backed up into their own endzone. That means all of the refs should have been well-within naked-eye viewing distance of the obvious penalty.

Not only that, but the facemask was committed against the quarterback, while he had the ball in his hands. I know all of the refs have specific jobs during a play and that not every single zebra on the field is watching the quarterback. The pool report, after tonight’s game, said that the refs just didn’t see it.

“We didn’t see it”. Oh well. What a crock of shit pic.twitter.com/C5GYa9cyx0

— Vikeologist™ (@Vikeologist) October 25, 2024

"We couldn't see it." https://t.co/nyFE7L17E0 pic.twitter.com/tMUSmqPTWJ

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) October 25, 2024

But you have to think there are multiple sets of eyes focused in on the guy with the football. You know, the most protected player in all of sports. Well, unless he’s playing for the Minnesota Vikings and the game is on the line.

Related: The Adam Thielen to Minnesota Vikings Trade Rumors are Here

Then… the same referees who made Thursday night about themselves for the better part of 60 minutes all suddenly lose their flags during the biggest moment and most obvious penalty of the entire game. How? Minnesota, that’s how.

#Vikings QB Sam Darnold on the non call:

“It is what it is. We could’ve done a lot to not put ourselves in the situation we were in.”

🎥: @The33rdTeamFB pic.twitter.com/PA1YGCxlrw

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) October 25, 2024

Massacre of the Innocents, by Peter Paul Rubens, 1611-12 https://t.co/qaFCEizcB8 pic.twitter.com/2PLNaxggI2

— ArtButMakeItSports (@ArtButSports) October 25, 2024

Update:

this is what’s happens when 90% of the public has Vikings.

Vegas doesn’t sleep.
pic.twitter.com/rAz1UCkcMV

— Gavin McHugh (@gavinmchughh) October 25, 2024

Williams’ one-year deal is for $1.5M with $350,000 guaranteed, per source. https://t.co/ncFlscvfOm

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 19, 2024

Jonah Williams sees familiar faces on the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff

Williams reunites with head coach Kevin O’Connell, with whom he won a Super Bowl in Los Angeles. Jonah started 22 of 41 games with the Rams from 2021-2023, including 16 of 17 last season, where he achieved career highs in tackles (49), TFLs (4) and sacks (2).

Related: Vikings Schedule Private Pre-Draft Workout with JJ McCarthy in Ann Arbor

This acquisition further strengthens an interior Vikings’ defensive line that desperately needed some strengthening, entering the offseason. Still, there are plenty of improvements that can be made on a defense that really struggled down the stretch last season.

Big sack for Jonah Williams in the Rams win! #WeAreWeber | #WeberPros

pic.twitter.com/RjxKhPQ6mt

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) October 16, 2023

Related: Vikings Believe Sam Darnold Has Fixed Mechanical Issues and They Brought Proof

Rams goal line stop #3.

This is about wanting it more. Again, Jonah Williams with penetration. Ernest Jones is right there to meet the RB in the hole and gets the TFL. pic.twitter.com/yuAOU0uE4P

— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) December 20, 2023

In addition to his reunion with KOC, Jonah will also be under familiar tutelage, in Vikings’ defensive line coach Marcus Dixon, who coached with the Rams during Williams’ rookie season (2021).

Cam Akers Trade Official after Passing Physical

On Thursday afternoon, the deal was officially consummated, after Akers flew into Minneapolis and passed a physical at TCO Performance Center in Eagan. To make room on the 53-man roster, the Vikings sent Jalen Nailor to injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

RB Cam Akers has passed his physical to complete the trade with the Rams.

WR Jalen Nailor has been placed on IR. pic.twitter.com/JIgmc7hpki

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 21, 2023

Minnesota Vikings determined to get better after 0-2 start

Credit to our friend, Darren “Doogie” Wolfson, who checked on the possibility that the Vikings might be interested in Akers, earlier in the week. When he didn’t hear anything back from his contacts at TCO Performance Center, his antennas were immediately up.

Related: Danielle Hunter’s Hot Start Means Everything for Vikings Defense, His Pocketbook

The Minnesota Vikings hope that Cam Akers can slide in next to Alexander Mattison and split RB1 carries eventually. His familiarity with head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator, Wes Phillips should only help him in learning the offense.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needed to beef up the Vikings rushing attack, after gaining just 63 yards on the ground in two games, dead last in the NFL. Akers and Risner may not be able to help in significant fashion vs the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend, but looking ahead, both position groups improved in a big way this week.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

I laughed out loud when I saw this yesterday. A lot has changed in the game of football over the last 20 years. It used to be the ultimate “tough-guy” sport (and still probably is, let me explain). Before you start yelling at me, I don’t mean that these players are “less-tough” than players past, although some might make that argument.

Like most popular sports, as time has gone by, football has been looked at from many different angles. It’s been studied from all angles and 100’s of analytical stat categories have been created to try and help compare and rate players beyond what the human eye can see. Every sport gets more and more analytical as we go through time. The “eye test” means less and less, to many people’s dismay.

Well, it’s now 2017 (days away from 2018) and the Los Angelas Rams have surprised many by, not only making the playoffs, but actually earning a home game in the Wild Card Round. They are led by Sean McVay who is younger than some of the players he is coaching (3 on roster at, or older than, he is), at the ripe age of 31.

Every coach, no matter the record or status of their team, faces challenges in Week 17. For some coaches, it’s getting their players focused and into a gameplan, when they know their season is over once the week ends. Their players are looking forward to golf courses and months with family. Meanwhile, your job is getting them prepared to put that all in jeopardy for one last, now-meaningless, football game. A broken leg, or a variety of other injuries that could happen in that game, would put a big damper into those offseason plans.

Meanwhile, some teams live at the other end of the spectrum, where they have their playoff spot locked in and they need to decide if it is worth playing star players. You dread a big injury, but you also don’t want players to get rusty after a week, or possibly even 3 weeks. (Ex. If the Vikings sat Keenum this week, and they still get their bye in the first round, he would sit from Dec 25 (day after Packers win) through Jan 13-14 (Div. Round). That’s a risk.

Well, McVay isn’t going to get a bye. The Rams have been cemented into the WildCard round of the playoffs, as either the 3rd or 4th seed. But, McVay seems to be taking what some would call the “safe route” by sitting most of his key players in their Week 17 battle against the 49ers, at home. Here is the list of those that will not see the Coliseum playing field this Sunday (See all the details by Alden Gonzalez – Rams ESPN Beat Writer):

DT Aaron Donald also will not play. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley not playing also means LT Andrew Whitworth and C John Sullivan will not play. Sean Mannion is Goff’s backup; Malcolm Brown would be in line to get the bulk of the carries in Gurley’s place.

— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) December 27, 2017

Here is what McVay had to say about his decision (NFL.com):

“Being locked into that third or fourth seed — every single game is important — but I think it will provide an opportunity for us to potentially get some guys healthier, rest them, give some other guys a chance to step up.”

“That’s a luxury that we want to take advantage of. And everything that we do is what we think is best for our football team.”

“I think we’ve got the right types of guys who can handle that the right way and understand how we need to practice and what we need to do in the meantime if it is a situation where they’re not going to play this coming week.”

McVay is trying to sell us on keeping his guys rested and injury-free. I’m sure that’s part of it. But, what does it tell me?

Sean McVay and the LA Rams are AFRAID of the Minnesota Vikings. Why, you ask? Well, If the Rams lose this week, it locks them into the NFC 4-seed, as long as New Orleans can take care of business against Tampa Bay. That puts the Rams in the top of the playoff bracket along with the 1, 8, and 5 seeds. That means the team to beat, on their way to the NFC Championship, is Philadelphia.

Do you know who isn’t in the top bracket? You guessed it, the two-seed, Minnesota Vikings. I’m not sure how, and I don’t really care because it isn’t going to happen, but the Vikings could fall as far as the 3 seed, in some weird world where the Panthers would gain the 2 seed. Don’t worry about it. We play the Bears. We win OR 1 out of 5 other things happen in other games, and we’re the two-seed. Nonetheless, there is a 0% chance they would play the Rams until the NFC Championship, if the Rams lose.

So, lose and avoid the Vikings, if you’re the Rams. And then, they sit their best players. That leads many to believe there are alternative motives to McVay’s decision to sit these guys. He shouldn’t take this personally (because I’m sure he will read this……). I mean, can you blame him? You are going on the road no matter what. Sure, Philadelphia might be cold, but there is something brewing in Minnesota that is MUCH SCARIER than the cold that you might encounter in the “City of Brotherly Love”.

The Vikings have been DOMINANT at home. REALLY DOMINANT. The Vikings are currently 6-1 at The Bank this season, with the only loss being against the Lions. The big difference isn’t offensively, though they do seem to be a little more efficient at the Bank. The big advantage comes defensively. Look at the splits on defense, according to pro-footballreference.com. Focus on the rushing attempts, which are VASTLY down at home, since the Vikings are usually winning, making their opponent more throw-happy. This also leads to a 9% drop in completion percentages, for offenses the Vikings have played against at home, vs playing away. It’s pretty incredible.

McVay is picking smarts over his “tough-guy” complex. I’m not going to hate on someone for that. I wouldn’t want to go into US Bank Stadium, as a road team, where it’s win or go home. He is much better off going to Philly and playing against a Wentz-less Eagles, no matter how cold it is. He isn’t guaranteed to make it to the Conference Championship, by taking this route. However, he is increasing his odds. And, if you’re a betting man/woman, you always respect that. Because, until the game starts, that’s all you can do.

But, it isn’t going to matter. Because, you are coming to Minnesota eventually, unless you’re the Eagles (without Wentz… good luck). 

#SKOL

Eric Strack (Boss, Partner, Founder, Site Tweeter, etc.)
Minnesota Sports Fan @RealMNSportsFan