5 Vikings Looking to Redeem Themselves Against the Rams
As the Minnesota Vikings prepare for a pivotal wildcard matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, several key players will need to step up after disappointing performances in their Week 18 loss to Detroit. For the Vikings to advance in the playoffs, these players must rebound and deliver under the bright lights of the NFL Playoffs.
Sam Darnold
No Viking needs a bounce-back game more than quarterback Sam Darnold after his struggles in the loss to Detroit. Typically poised and precise, Darnold turned in his worst performance of the season in Week 18, with a completion percentage of just 43.9% and a season-low 166 passing yards. His quarterback rating of 55.5 was his lowest since the Vikings’ narrow victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in November.
Detroit’s relentless pressure was a significant factor in Darnold’s struggles. The Lions blitzed on 55.6% of snaps, generating 22 pressures. Known for handling pressure well, Darnold seemed overwhelmed by Detroit’s aggressive scheme, which featured more six and seven-man rushes than he had faced all year. The Lions also employed 14 Cover-0 rushes, the highest single-game total in the NFL this season. The result was a flustered Darnold who missed throws and squandered opportunities.
Against the Rams, Darnold will need to regain his composure and focus. He’ll face a formidable pass rush led by rookie sensation Jared Verse, bulldozer Braden Fiske, and the underrated Byron Young. There will again be pressure, but if Darnold can remain poised, deliver accurate throws, and make quick decisions, he’ll have a strong chance to redeem himself and guide the Vikings to a crucial playoff victory.
Blake Brandel
The Vikings’ passing game faltered against Detroit partly due to a lack of protection from the offensive line. The line allowed 22 total pressures on 48 pass plays, putting Sam Darnold under duress nearly half the time—an unsustainable formula for success.
Blake Brandel was a major liability in Week 18, earning a PFF pass-blocking grade of just 30.7. He was responsible for eight pressures, six hurries, and two quarterback hits, with Detroit’s defensive line exploiting his vulnerabilities all game. D.J. Reader and the Lions’ interior defenders consistently overwhelmed Brandel, playing a critical role in Detroit’s defensive dominance.
Heading into the wildcard matchup, Brandel faces another tough challenge against the Rams. Los Angeles boasts a fearsome interior duo in Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner, who have combined for 16.5 sacks this season. Brandel’s performance will be pivotal, as his struggles could spell disaster for the Vikings’ offensive plans.
Cam Robinson
Tackle Cam Robinson is another Vikings lineman in need of a rebound performance. Acquired midseason after Christian Darrisaw’s injury, Robinson initially stabilized the line, surrendering just 13 pressures in his first six games. However, his recent play has been less reliable, with 21 pressures allowed in the last four games.
Robinson’s struggles culminated in Week 18 against Detroit, where he gave up nine pressures, seven hurries, and a sack. His PFF pass-blocking grade of 51.2 was his lowest since joining the Vikings and second-worst on the line behind Brandel.
The stakes are high as Robinson prepares to face Verse, the potential Defensive Rookie of the Year. If Robinson can step up and neutralize Verse’s impact, it will give Darnold the time he needs to operate and the Vikings a better chance of advancing.
T.J. Hockenson
A key to the Vikings’ offensive resurgence lies with their star trio of pass catchers, including tight end T.J. Hockenson. However, against Detroit, Hockenson struggled mightily, managing just two catches for nine yards and earning a PFF receiving grade of 52.7.
Since returning from injury in Week 9, Hockenson had been a consistent contributor, averaging nearly 50 yards per game through Week 17. But Detroit’s Alex Anzalone and his teammates limited his impact, and uncharacteristic mistakes compounded his struggles.
Hockenson will need to bounce back against a Rams defense that has been effective against tight ends, allowing just 62.6 yards per game—the fifth-lowest mark in the league. A strong performance from Hockenson would force the Rams to divert resources away from pressuring Darnold, opening opportunities for Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Hockenson’s play will be crucial to the Vikings’ success on Monday night.
Will Reichard
Vikings kicker Will Reichard’s recent struggles have raised concerns for the Vikings as of late. In Week 18 against Detroit, he missed a 47-yard field goal that proved to be a momentum-shifting moment and sent a kickoff out of bounds late in the second quarter. The Lions capitalized on their out-of-bounds kick, extending their lead to 10-6 before halftime.
The prior week versus Green Bay, Reichard missed a 48-yard attempt in the third quarter, continuing a concerning trend of inconsistency. While Reichard was one of the league’s most reliable kickers earlier in the season, his form has dipped since returning from the midseason setback, raising questions about his ability to perform under playoff pressure.
The Vikings need Reichard to find his footing quickly against the Rams and return to the form he showed earlier this season as a stud rookie kicker. His accuracy will be critical in a tightly contested game where points could be at a premium. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has expressed faith in his kicker, but Reichard must prove he can overcome both his recent struggles and any lingering effects of injury to help keep Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and PFF helped with this article.
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