Although the Vikings got throttled against the Detroit Lions, they came out of the game with a relatively clean bill of health. That’s a positive while moving into must-win territory, and they’ll need the full complement of talent at their disposal on Monday night.

Kevin O’Connell has all Minnesota Vikings talent ready to rock

It stinks that Minnesota won’t be hosting a home playoff game during the second round of the NFL playoffs. The top seed in the NFC was on the line in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions. If there is a silver lining, it’s that the Vikings have a nearly complete roster against the Los Angeles Rams.

The first #Vikings Wild Card playoff injury report of the week pic.twitter.com/6z8XLdqz73

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 9, 2025

Related: Falcons Struggling to Find Answers for Their Self-Inflicted Kirk Cousins Conundrum

Unfortunately the Green Bay Packers Tucker Kraft took out Patrick Jones. It was a legal, albeit dirty, hit. Which leaves Brian Flores with one less pass rusher on defense. The healthy group will need to sack Matthew Stafford on Monday night, at least a few times.

Running back Aaron Jones is the only other player with a designation. While he was limited, he played in all 17 games this season. His 1,138 yards were a career-high, and his five rushing touchdowns were the most he has posted since 2020.

Aaron Jones quite literally getting skinny through the hole on the Vikings Duo run pic.twitter.com/CN7fwdi1hw

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 17, 2024

In their first matchup the Vikings failed to bring down Stafford behind the line of scrimmage. Puka Nacua returned to the lineup and shocked the defense. He won’t be a surprise this time around, and Flores will need to make sure his group sacks the quarterback.

The Vikings are favored to beat the Rams in the wild card round. The fact that they have a relatively healthy roster inly makes that reality more plausible.

If O’Connell can come up with a gameplan to best his former boss, the Vikings will likely be in live to avenge their second Lions loss of the season. It’s unfortunate that a 14-win team must go on the road, but they also need to substantiate just how good the regular season has been.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings Safety Signed to Eagles Active Playoff Roster

Minnesota winning against the Rams would be a great reality for a team projected to be terrible this season. They can figure out the offseason when the dust settles, but Sam Darnold continuing his incredible performance would be a ton of fun.

At this stage of a football season, the health of each team often plays a major role in who will (or should) win. And that is absolutely the case this weekend. The Lions have been ravaged by injuries, down the stretch of their own historic season, and will be missing starters all over the field on both sides of the ball vs the Vikings.

For the purple, there are less debilitating injuries. Christian Darrisaw was lost for the season weeks ago. But beyond that, we’ve mostly seen a return to full health. The Minnesota Vikings injury report on Wednesday reflected that, for the most part.

Minnesota Vikings injury report – Wednesday; Week 18

The only two players who did not practice on Wednesday were Kamu Grugier-Hill (Illness) and Patrick Jones II (Knee). Neither player is considered a starter, though Jones is a pretty major component of the Minnesota Vikings pass rush plan each week.

Limited today were CJ Ham (Quad), who’s a leading vote getter for the 2024-25 Pro Bowl, along with Aaron Jones (Quad), Fabian Moreau (Hip) and Harrison Smith (Foot). Tight end Josh Oliver (Wrist) was also listed on the first injury report this week as a “Full” participant.

The #Vikings first injury report of Week 18 pic.twitter.com/2aIBgsigDZ

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 1, 2025

Remember, there is a lot of context to take into account, with these early-week injury reports. Late in the season, we’ll see a lot of veterans be listed for minor bumps and bruises. Are those players dealing with injuries? Yes. Is there any real chance they will sit out of such a massive game on Sunday Night vs the Detroit Lions? Probably not.

On Wednesday, before the above report dropped, Aaron Jones even told reporters that he “has no doubt” he’s playing this weekend vs the Lions. At the same time, there are instances where a veteran is listed as limited early in the week… and then their condition worsens as the week goes on. Harrison Smith missed week 16, after a week of practice that was just like that.

Vikings Trade Rumors: Other NFL Teams are “100%” Coming for JJ McCarthy This Offseason

So, while we probably don’t have to worry about Harry the Hitman or Aaron Jones missing this weekend’s game, these reports are always worth monitoring, as each week progresses.

It’s clear the arrow is pointed straight up right now, but who has improved their stock the most through five weeks? Better yet, which Vikings have lowered their stock the most? Below, we dive into the 13 biggest winners and losers through five weeks of play.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in London Win Over Jets

Winner: Sam Darnold

Prior to the Vikings’ Week 5 win, Darnold was looking like an early MVP candidate. His stats no longer have him leading the NFL in passing yards, but he still ranks second, and the rest of his numbers are still respectable.

• Sam Darnold stats: 63.5% comp. rate, 1,111 passing yards, 11 TD, 4 INT – 64.9 PFF grade (22nd among QBs)

Even if Darnold’s stats aren’t as gaudy as they once were, he’s still 5-0. As long as the Vikings keep winning, he’ll stay in the MVP conversation, but expecting him to win over other heavyweights like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, or Patrick Mahomes is wishful thinking.

Still, he’s put himself in position to earn a massive payday from another team at the end of the season, and he’ll always have a special place in the Vikings’ hearts for taking a chance on him. After all, there’s no doubt the Vikings wouldn’t be on top of the NFC North without the former first-round pick.

Related: Where does Sam Darnold land in the latest NFL QB Rankings?

Loser: Ty Chandler

Entering the season, speculation pointed to Chandler nearly splitting rushing opportunities with Aaron Jones. Those reports couldn’t have been more wrong. We’ll get to Jones in a second, but this space is specially reserved for the Vikings’ backup running back.

Chandler has flashed moments of greatness. On Sunday, he had a 32-yard rush called back due to an illegal formation that had nothing to do with him. Otherwise? He’s been fairly ineffective rushing behind the same line Jones is thriving behind.

He’s carried the ball 42 times for 147 yards and zero touchdowns. That equates to just a 3.5 YPC average. For a point of reference, that’s worse than the 3.9 YPC Alexander Mattison averaged last season. In other words, Chandler just hasn’t gotten the job done.

Related: NFL Expert Kevin Durant Believes in the Minnesota Vikings and Sam Darnold

Winner: Aaron Jones

Chandler hasn’t lived up to the coaching staff’s expectations, but Jones definitely has. It’s clear the Vikings got a bargain by signing the former Packers Pro Bowl rusher to a one-year, $7 million contract. In fact, it might be time to see if he’s interested in a short-term extension.

The Vikings have been significantly better this season when Aaron Jones is on the field 💪

With Jones (165 plays)

– EPA per play: 0.02
– Yards per play: 6.1
– Plays resulting in a TD or 1st down: 30.9%
– Completion %: 72.5
– Success rate: 47.3%
– Yards per pass attempt: 9.7
-… https://t.co/NnJHi3Qxlx pic.twitter.com/lNxOPIiuBD

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) October 7, 2024

When healthy, Jones has helped power an offense that ranks sixth in scoring this season. He’s done so while averaging a robust 4.9 YPC, racking up 350 yards and a rushing touchdown on 71 carries. Darnold has also learned to rely on him as a pass-catcher, where the 30-year-old has tacked on an additional 167 receiving yards and a TD catch on 17 receptions.

As great as some of the other free agency signings have been, a strong case can be made that Jones has been the single greatest addition to the Vikings’ roster this offseason. Yet, there are plenty of other contenders who can claim that title too.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Injury News: Latest Update on Aaron Jones Hip Injury

Loser: Ed Ingram

You already know the story. The Vikings selected Ed Ingram with the 59th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was selected ahead of several players who have since become Pro Bowlers such as James Cook (Dalvin’s brother), Riq Woolen, and Brock Purdy.

Sure, he’s been a constant fixture in the starting lineup for all 37 games of his career. The issue is he grades very poorly in pass protection. This year he has a 29.4 grade per Pro Football Focus for his pass blocking. He’s lightyears ahead as a run blocker, with a still below-average grade of 62.2. Add it all up, and Ingram ranks 61st among 70 guards graded by PFF this season. In other words, he’s replaceable.

Does @Vikings RG Ed Ingram need replaced once G Dalton Risner is healthy?

Thru 5 weeks (per @PFF)*:
💥Overall: 52.7 (155 of 177)
💥Run Block: 62.2 (107 of 177)
💥Pass Block: 29.4 (173 of 177)
💥3 sacks (159 of 177)
💥1 QB hit (T-64 of 177)
💥13 QB hurries (176 of 177)
💥17 QB… pic.twitter.com/86s6vs6kjS

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) October 7, 2024

Related: Minnesota Vikings Fans Love Aaron Jones… but Not Like His Former QB Does

Winner: Patrick Jones II

Feeling like they needed more pass-rushers, the Vikings traded up to select Dallas Turner in the first round of April’s draft. Yet, if Brian Flores knew how much production he’d get from Patrick Jones II as he enters a contract year, maybe Turner would have never been selected.

Obviously Turner is still the future at the position, but Jones has performed very well in a rotational role. It’s been just five games, but he’s already up to a career-high five sacks this season. That’s included back-to-back two-sack performances to start the season after cooling off as of late.

Still, for a 26-year-old in a career year, Jones is setting himself up for a nice payday in free agency, and it probably won’t come from the Vikings with them already invested in Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Turner.

Related: Rich Eisen Called Out by Internet (and KFAN) for Biased Call of Vikings vs Jets

Loser: Dallas Turner

Have you seen Dallas Turner? To be fair, the 17th overall pick was one of the youngest players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, at just 21 years old. The Vikings didn’t add him to the roster and expect Turner to be the team’s defensive MVP as a rookie.

Turner did miss a game with an injury, and he’s played just 78 defensive snaps, or 27% of the team’s plays when he’s healthy. But let’s not even think about placing a bust label on this sack artist yet. He did record a sack in his NFL debut, and even blew up a play in Sunday’s win over the Jets.

Yet, for those who expected Turner to compete for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award have to be a bit disappointed so far. But Turner’s slow start is due to no fault of his own, it’s simply due to how well his teammates ahead of him on the depth chart are playing.

Related: Top 10 Minnesota Vikings 1st Round Draft Picks of All-Time

Winner: Andrew Van Ginkel

Admit it, when Andrew Van Ginkel signed, many Vikings fans asked, “Who?” It hasn’t taken the Iowa native long to make an impression. In fact, he’s made a case to be the Vikings’ defensive MVP thus far. Some NFL experts are even asking themselves whether AVG is the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year right now.

Andrew Van Ginkel, who also had an interception-return TD in Week 1, is the first player in @NFL history with 3 sacks and multiple interception-return TDs in his team's first 5 games of a season. https://t.co/2napWrXhKy

— NFL345 (@NFL345) October 6, 2024

Van Ginkel has an elite 90.8 coverage grade via PFF through five weeks (best mark among edge rushers). Which is crazy, considering his primary job is to rush the passer.

But his unique skillset is exactly what the Vikings were attracted to. When quarterbacks line up at the line of scrimmage, they have absolutely no clue whether Van Ginkel is about to drop back in coverage or rush full speed at their feet. It’s working to perfection.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Partying Like it’s 1998

Loser: Levi Drake Rodriguez

Let’s not be too harsh here. Levi Drake Rodriguez was always considered a longshot prospect from the very moment he arrived with the Vikings as the 232nd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Many seventh-round picks like him don’t even make the team.

Yet, LDR snuck onto the roster thanks to a non-stop motor plus a lack of defensive line depth in Minnesota. However, we’ve seen fellow undrafted rookie Taki Taimani active for all five games, and Rodriguez has been a healthy scratch in all five.

But this means nothing in the grand scheme. Odds are, the Vikings are still very high on the 24-year-old prospect, he may just need a bit more seasoning before the coaching staff feels they can trust him in a live game.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Already ‘Love’ Their New Longshot NFL Prospect X

Winner: Stephon Gilmore

When the Vikings were sniffing around Stephon Gilmore, many fans said, “Don’t bother.” This was partially because he was still unsigned. If 31 other teams don’t want him, why should the Vikings? It likely didn’t help that Gilmore is also 34 years old.

The haters couldn’t have been more wrong. Gilmore has assumed the No. 1 cornerback job from the moment he put on pads, and the Vikings’ defense has never looked back. So far, through five games, Minnesota’s pass defense is one of the best in the NFL, allowing the sixth-fewest yards per attempt, and having the most interceptions.

Gilmore’s superpowers were on full display in the Vikings’ Week 5 win over the Jets, where the former DPOY winner leaped in front of an errant Aaron Rodgers pass to clinch yet another victory for the fellas in purple. Gilmore’s been a breath of fresh air for a secondary that had more questions than answers before the season kicked off.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Draft Picks 2025: Tracking Future Vikings Draft Picks, Vikings Draft History

Loser: Byron Murphy Jr.

No cornerback has been targeted more than Byron Murphy Jr through five weeks. Quarterbacks have thrown his way 48 times. He’s allowed a catch on 35 of those opportunities. Thus, no other player has allowed more yards in coverage than Murphy, who’s allowed 405 yards, and two touchdowns.

Murphy has recorded an interception, but he’s also missed more tackles than any other cornerback (tied with former Viking Mike Hughes at 9). This has led to pass-catchers picking up an additional 144 yards after catch.

Among corners who have played at least 50% of their team’s snaps, Murphy grades 50th overall, which suggests he’s been no better than average. Yet, with the 26-year-old in a contract year, it’s possible the Vikings try replacing him during the offseason. Then again, he’s still young, so maybe learning from Pro Bowl corners like Gilmore and Shaq Griffin can help Murphy learn a thing or two too.

Related: Top 10 Minnesota Vikings QB Draft Picks of All-Time

Winner: Cam Bynum

Another Vikings defender setting himself up to cash in during free agency is Camryn Bynum. He’s in the final year of his rookie deal, but is tied for the team lead with two interceptions. He’s also just nine tackles behind Blake Cashman for the team lead, showing his versatility in coverage and in run support.

Once Harrison Smith says his farewell, the Vikings will still be in good hands, knowing Bynum and Josh Metellus will maintain some level of consistency in Minnesota’s secondary. But for now, Bynum’s showing he’s not only one of the best defenders on the team, but possibly even good enough to earn the first Pro Bowl nod of his career. Plus, his celebration game is immaculate.

Cam Bynum: "We're on a generational celebration run right now. This might've been one of my favorites. It's one of my favorite movies. It's based on London. I watched that movie last week, and I'm, like, 'This is it.'" https://t.co/rnbCAmOK21

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) October 6, 2024

Related: Do the Minnesota Vikings have the NFL’s best defense?

Loser: Akayleb Evans

Before the season kicked off, Akayleb Evans was being looked at as a potential starting cornerback. Yet, after adding Gilmore and Griffin, the 2022 fourth-round pick has completely fallen out of favor. Instead of playing valuable snaps on defense, the Vikings have stuffed Evans into a special teams role, where he gave everyone multiple scares against the Jets.

First, Evans collided with punt returner Brandon Powell, which could have led to a fumble and/or a change of possession. Of course, the replay showed Evans got pushed into Powell, so there wasn’t an issue, but unless he starts thriving in his new role, the 25-year-old’s long-term future in Minnesota could be in serious doubt.

Related: Top Minnesota Vikings Moments in Team History

Winner: Brian Flores

Is there really a bigger winner than Brian Flores? The second-year Vikings defensive coordinator somehow didn’t receive a single head coaching interview last season. His lawsuit against the NFL may have something to do with the non-interest.

Yet, at some point, if you’re a team making a new hire, how can you not reconsider Flores to lead your organization? There have been nothing but positive reports about the coach since he arrived in Minnesota, and his defenses are causing fits for every quarterback it takes on.

The Vikings went from allowing 21.3 points per game in 2023 to just 15.2 in 2024, where they currently allow the fourth-fewest points in the league. Allowing the second-fewest yards per rush (3.6) has certainly played a key factor, but the Vikings aren’t just geared to stop the run, they also have recorded the second-most sacks in the NFL. Brian Flores, you are a hero.

Related: There’s a New Graphic Trying to Put the Minnesota Vikings in the Super Bowl…

Loser: Brandon Powell

When the Vikings are 5-0, it’s hard to find someone to pick on. But we couldn’t make a list full of winners, because there’s some darkness in this world too.

Brandon Powell gets a bad rap here, but it’s not because he’s been this horrible player or anything. He hasn’t gotten many opportunities since losing the third WR role to Jalen Nailor, but he has maintained his job as the team’s leading returner.

Yet, there just haven’t been many chances for him to thrive yet thus far. He’s only taken seven punt returns, where he’s gained 36 yards. That ranks second-worst in the NFL in yards per return, albeit in a very small sample size. At least he’s not muffing punts!

Related: Kevin O’Connell Takes Lead in NFL Coach of the Year Race