3 Vikings Desperate for a Victory Against the Rams
The Minnesota Vikings will play their first playoff game in two years on Monday. Due to the continued wildfires in and around Los Angeles, the NFL has relocated the contest from the Rams’ home to Glendale, Arizona.
3 Vikings Desperate for a Victory Against the Rams
Initially, the Vikings hoped to host postseason games at U.S. Bank Stadium, but the faceplant in Week 18’s defeat versus the Detroit Lions cost them the division and, subsequently, home-field advantage.
That game also raised some concerns, and the entire franchise needs a bounce-back performance in the wild-card round after the disappointing loss. Three Vikings need a win on their resume more than others.
1. Kevin O’Connell
Minnesota’s skipper is one of the top head coaches in the business and is the favorite to land the Coach of the Year trophy after winning 14 of 17 regular season games. Last year, he kept the franchise in playoff contention despite losing his starting quarterback halfway through the season, and in his first season, he towered over the NFC North competition with a 13-4 record.
The one problem on his resume? He is the only head coach in this year’s playoff picture without a postseason victory under his belt, and losing twice in the first round after a combined 27-7 record in those seasons would be quite harmful to his reputation. He surely doesn’t want to be the guy that can’t get it done in the playoffs.
2. Sam Darnold
Quarterback Sam Darnold has revived his career after years of struggles. He has tossed 35 touchdown passes in his first (and potentially only) year in the Twin Cities. The former third-overall pick was nominated for his first Pro Bowl.
However, he came up short in Week 18, which was likely his worst game of the season. He had a few blunders in the three-interception game against the Jaguars two months ago but was more inconsistent throughout the season finale, missing countless simple throws.
The quarterback is expected to have suitors in free agency, should the Vikings let him go. What seemed like a forgone conclusion one week ago is suddenly in jeopardy. Would a team really open the checkbook for a quarterback who is shrinking when the lights are brightest?
3. Justin Jefferson
No receiver is feared more by opposing defenses, and he still recorded over 1,500 receiving yards and ten touchdowns. He is breaking records on a weekly basis, and when the Vikings handed him an unprecedented four-year extension worth $140 million, everyone just shrugged because he is that good.
In addition to his on-field contributions, he is the face of the franchise and the reason why folks tune in. But he has the same problem as O’Connell. He has not won a playoff game. His only playoff trip came after the 2022 season, and the Giants double-teamed him for the entire 60 minutes, allowing his teammates to produce, but he finished with 47 yards.
In Week 8 against the Rams, Jefferson had 115 yards.
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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