Without Playing a Game, The Vikings Tumble Down the Standings in NFC Playoff Push
The Vikings (and their fans) were starting to become quite cozy in the NFC’s #6 slot. Hopefully, that placement didn’t prove to be too comfortable.
Minnesota went into Thursday night at 6th but woke up on Friday morning as the 7th team. The reason is none other than the LA Rams, who have emerged as a foremost foe in the NFC. Sean McVay found a way of moving his team up a spot by overcoming the New Orleans Saints by a score of 30-22 on Thursday Night Football. LA’s 8-7 record puts them a bit beyond Minnesota’s 7-7 record.
The Vikings Tumble Down the Standings in the NFC Playoff Push (For the Moment, Anyhow)
In many ways, the Vikings have themselves to blame.
Dropping close games to Denver, Chicago, and Cincinnati in recent weeks has resulted in Minnesota losing their comfortable cushion. Instead of putting distance between themselves and the chase pack, Minnesota allowed several teams to get within striking distance.
The Rams, in contrast, have been moving in the exact opposite direction. Since a Week 10 bye, LA has only dropped a single contest, and that was against Baltimore in OT off of a punt return touchdown. Every other game — five total — has resulted in wins. That’s how they’ve been able to overcome their 3-6 start.
Against the Saints, rookie receiver Puka Nacua turned 9 catches into 164 yards and a touchdown. Matthew Stafford finished the game having gone 24/34 for 328 yards and a pair of TDs while Kyren Williams added on 104 rushing yards and a score.
Add it all together and it’s a win for McVay. The 8th victory is enough to, at least temporarily, put LA in the NFC’s 6th spot.
The good news is Minnesota still has control of its own destiny. Winning the NFC North will require the Lions to cooperate by dropping their next three games (two of which come against the Vikings), but the same can’t be said about a Wild Card slot.
Minnesota can grab hold of the 6th seed and not let go by simply winning the rest of their games. Indeed, overcoming the Lions on Christmas Eve will mean Kevin O’Connell’s crew once again jumps into the spot that they just lost to the Rams.
Football can be a very empowering sport, which Minnesota is currently experiencing. Win the games that are left on the schedule and then get into the postseason. That’s the reality that’s in front of Minnesota.
Vikings fans will be keen to see the next game since it’ll arrive on Christmas Eve and come against the aforementioned Lions. But, be warned, the team is looking to create a whiteout inside of U.S. Bank Stadium. Snagging the victory means hopping back up the standings. The Rams are showing no signs of slowing down, so Minnesota will need to have a sense of urgency the rest of the way.
Kickoff happens at 12 p.m. CST.
Kwesi Crushed It
K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.