5 Quick Reactions: Vikings vs. Packers
The Week 17 game had some similarities to the first meeting between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. Each time, the Vikings built a comfortable lead before the Packers profited from a Vikings mistake and then stacked up some points. Both times, however, the comeback attempt fell just short.
5 Quick Reactions: Vikings vs. Packers
It was a game between two playoff teams and two rivals, and it sure looked like a playoff matchup for the most part, with some excellent football being played in U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings prevailed, and the scoreboard showed a 27-25 win.
1. Kicker Concerns?
Will Reichard returned from his four-week stint on IR in Week 14 after the franchise parted ways with outstanding backup Parker Romo for a second time. In his first game back, he missed a field goal against the Falcons, but he hit the next five and all of his 12 extra points.
On Sunday, though, the rookie struggled, missing not just one but two field goals. The three extra points were good, and he split the uprights for three points twice.
The good news is that it was just one game, and there had not been any reason for concern before that. The bad news is that the Vikings have a huge game coming up, followed by the playoffs, and having a reliable kicker is crucial.
2. Jalen Nailor Game
When folks look back to Week 17 of the 2024 season, they might call it the Jalen Nailor Game. The third-year receiver converted multiple big passes into first downs and recorded his sixth receiving touchdown of the season.
The WR3 behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison had not caught more than one pass in a game since Week 8, but he changed the manuscript on Sunday, hauling in five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown, showing that he can be a reliable target whenever the Vikings need a prominent fourth guy behind the top duo and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
3. Sam Darnold Excellence
Quarterback Sam Darnold continues to show that he is not just a one-year bridge solution, but someone (maybe even the Vikings) should hand him a blank check in the offseason to lead their franchise for many years.
In his second border battle, Darnold completed 33 of 43 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns. The one error was an interception where he perhaps underrated the threat a defender posed or overrated his own arm strength to fit the ball into a tiny window.
At the end of the day, Darnold, again, made numerous clutch throws and kept the chains moving. His season numbers of 4,153 passing yards and 35 passing touchdowns are outstanding and surely rank him among the very best in the NFL.
4. The Run Defense Held Up
When the Green Bay Packers are next on the schedule, teams need to bring their A game in the trenches, as running back Josh Jacobs is not easy to contain. He scored nine rushing touchdowns in the previous six games, and Jordan Love’s offense runs through him.
However, the Vikings held him in check with 17 carries for 69 yards, one touchdown, and a fumble. He had his moments, but so had the run defense led by defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, although a dozen players could be named here.
Minnesota’s run defense is the heart and soul of Brian Flores’ crew and it once again delivered.
5. Vikings Get Their Endgame
The path was clear entering Sunday’s contest: Win both remaining games and subsequently win the NFC North and the top seed in the NFC, including a bye week in the first round.
Step one is done. The Vikings will challenge the Lions on Sunday night for the NFC North crown. The first meeting with the reigning division champs was a heavyweight fight that ultimately came down to who had the ball last (with enough time).
Nobody had the Vikings on a list of contenders before the season kicked off, but they are 14-2 and are unexpectedly competing for the first seed in Week 18 instead of focusing on the draft order.
The final game of the NFL’s 2024 regular season will be a playoff-like contest.
Editor’s Note: Information from ESPN helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt