8 Reactions to the Vikings’ Division-Sealing Loss vs. Lions
The Minnesota Vikings went into Sunday with a clear mission: win and keep their hopes of the NFC North title alive.
Well, they failed to do that and lost to those Kardiac Kitties by a score of 30-24, ensuring that Detroit will win their first division title in 30 years. Now, the Vikings are scrambling for answers before their Week 17 game against the Green Bay Packers. Here are 8 reactions to Minnesota’s loss against Detroit.
1. Vikings’ Division Hopes End
The Vikings’ hopes at winning the NFC North for a second consecutive season came crashing down with their loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Minnesota now has to rely on winning their final two games and hoping for some help along the way in order to get into the NFC playoffs.
2. Defensive Injuries Prove Costly
The Vikings’ defense had their fair share of struggles on Sunday, allowing 30+ points for the first time since their Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. This weekend, Minnesota went into the game short-handed without Byron Murphy in the lineup and lost multiple defenders throughout the game, including Mekhi Blackmon and D.J. Wonnum.
3. Addison, Hockenson Go Down
Not only did the Vikings play much of this game without a couple defensive starters, but both Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson also left on Sunday because of injuries. Addison suffered an ankle injury while Hockenson left with a knee injury. This left the Vikings severely hampered in terms of their offensive playmakers. If the Vikings are going to make one more push for the playoffs, they will need these guys in the lineup.
4. Sloppy Penalties
The Vikings were penalized a season-high eight times throughout Sunday’s game, and they went for a total of 64 yards. These penalties turned drives around for the worse on offense while providing the Lions with some extra field position.
5. Turnovers
Once again, it’s turnovers that truly killed the Vikings’ hopes of winning this weekend. Nick Mullens threw four interceptions on the day, and the final pick of the day sealed Minnesota’s fate on Christmas Eve.
6. Jefferson Magic
Justin Jefferson had an outstanding game on Sunday, breaking Michael Thomas’ four-year receiving record on the way to six receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. He had another ridiculous catch that was reminiscent of his game-saver in Buffalo last season, but ultimately, it wasn’t meant to be for the Vikings this time around.
7. Time to Go Back to the Rookie?
Nick Mullens now has six interceptions in his past two starts, and Josh Dobbs was almost equally as turnover prone down the stretch of his stint as the Vikings’ starter. With the Vikings needing answers and quickly, it may be time to bring back the Jaren Hall discussion for the final two weeks of the season.
8. Vikings Firmly in “Must Win” Territory Next Weekend
For once, the Vikings’ loss on Sunday came back to bite them in the standings. They fell to 7-8 while the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks won to improve to 8-7 and take over the final two Wild Card spots in the NFC. Meanwhile, Green Bay also snuck past the Carolina Panthers to get their seventh win of the season and equal their record with the Vikings. Minnesota is going to need to win next weekend against those Packers to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Justin Jefferson Owns Another NFL Record
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.