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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After the Minnesota Vikings misplaced their fourth straight recreation and had been shut out for the primary time…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After the Minnesota Vikings misplaced their fourth straight recreation and had been shut out for the primary time in 18 years, coach Kevin O’Connell simplified the game plan for the offense — and the main focus for the whole crew because the calendar turned to December.
The one-week-at-a-time method — a soccer teaching basic — has labored properly with the Vikings, who’ve received 4 consecutive video games to carry their file again to .500 at 8-8.
Even if extra victories after elimination from rivalry for the playoffs impacts subsequent season’s schedule power and subsequent yr’s draft place, there’s carryover worth — as O’Connell clearly believes — in working towards the artwork of successful and experiencing the satisfaction that comes with it.
Minnesota’s 23-10 victory over Detroit on Thursday, which eliminated the Lions from contention, carried loads of that — from Harrison Smith spearheading the protection in a six-turnover, five-sack efficiency, to Jordan Addison racing round the precise finish for a 65-yard landing run, to Will Reichard setting the franchise season file with 11 discipline objectives of 50-plus yards.
The Vikings additionally swept the Lions, exacting a measure of revenge on a division rival that beat them twice final season to not solely hold them successful from the NFC North however taking the highest seed within the convention, and eventually flustered quarterback Jared Goff after getting carved up by him in recent times.
“Winning in December matters!” O’Connell instructed the gamers in his postgame speech posted by the Vikings on social media. “It matters, not only right now in the present, but for many, many more opportunities to come.”
By beating the Lions, the Vikings took management of third place within the division. That might create vital variations of their 2026 schedules, with video games subsequent yr towards NFC East, NFC West and AFC South opponents decided by order of 2025 end.
Finishing third as an alternative of fourth most likely will line up residence video games towards the Washington Commanders (4-12) as an alternative of the New York Giants (2-13) and the Indianapolis Colts (8-7) as an alternative of the Tennessee Titans (3-12). That would additionally imply a street journey to face both the Seattle Seahawks (12-3), Los Angeles Rams (11-4) or San Francisco 49ers (11-4) as an alternative of the Arizona Cardinals (3-12).
The Vikings, who end the season at residence towards Green Bay on Jan. 3 or 4, might wind up with the bottom draft choose of all of the non-playoff groups. But none of that issues to them now.
“You can really look inward and say we’re building something, even though we’re not going to have a chance to play in the postseason this year,” O’Connell mentioned in his postgame information convention. “I think there’s a lot that can be pulled from this stretch of games that we can build upon.”
The go rush dialed up by defensive coordinator Brian Flores and carried out by Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner and the remainder of the protection has been as fierce as ever during the last month.
With beginning tackles Christian Darrisaw (knee) and Brian O’Neill (heel) and beginning heart Ryan Kelly (concussion) all out, the Vikings allowed seven sacks for a whopping 48 yards.
Max Brosmer has made a robust impression with the Vikings as an undrafted rookie, however he clearly shouldn’t be able to be a real No. 2 quarterback. With J.J. McCarthy sidelined by a hand damage, Brosmer accomplished 9 of 16 passes for 51 yards, although going turnover-free was not for nothing.
If that is Smith’s remaining season, the 14th-year security is bound going out robust. In the final 5 video games, he has 20 tackles, seven go deflections, two interceptions, two quarterback hits and one sack.
McCarthy’s throwing hand, which sustained a hairline fracture final week, has been responding properly, O’Connell mentioned. There’s nonetheless an opportunity he can get well in time to play within the finale if he’s capable of grip the ball correctly.
The Vikings, who have already got shut down 4 starters for the season, additionally held out tight finish T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) and operating again Jordan Mason (ankle) towards the Lions. O’Neill was capable of observe on a restricted foundation final week and was listed as questionable to play, so he may very well be on monitor to return with the prolonged relaxation.
3 — That’s what number of internet passing yards the Vikings had towards a Detroit protection that ranked twenty fourth within the league in passing yards allowed per play getting into the sport. According to Sportradar knowledge, that was the fewest internet passing yards by a successful crew within the NFL because the Texans had minus-5 in a win over the Raiders in 2006. The Texans are the one crew within the final 40 years to win a recreation with lower than what the Vikings posted on Thursday.
The Packers have clinched their playoff spot however might nonetheless have a lot to play for in Week 18 in the event that they beat Baltimore at residence on Saturday and Chicago loses at San Francisco on Sunday. That would hold the Packers alive within the division race, however the Bears will take the NFC North title with yet one more win and end by internet hosting the Lions.
The Vikings will probably be keen to assist Justin Jefferson get the 53 receiving yards he wants to achieve the 1,000-yard mark, a milestone he has blown by in every full season he’s performed. He even hit it in 2023 regardless of lacking seven video games to a hamstring damage. Jefferson handed Randy Moss on Thursday for probably the most receiving yards (8,379) in NFL historical past over a participant’s first six years.
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