Vikings nonetheless discovering worth and enjoyable in profitable down the stretch regardless of being out of rivalry :: WRAL.com

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — After the Minnesota Vikings misplaced their fourth straight recreation and have been shut out for the primary time in 18 years, coach Kevin O’Connell simplified the sport plan for the offense — and the main target for all the staff because the calendar turned to December.

The one-week-at-a-time method — a soccer teaching basic — has labored effectively with the Vikings, who’ve received 4 consecutive video games to convey their file again to .500 at 8-8.

Even if further victories after elimination from rivalry for the playoffs impacts subsequent season’s schedule energy and subsequent yr’s draft place, there’s carryover worth — as O’Connell clearly believes — in practising the artwork of profitable and experiencing the satisfaction that comes with it.

Minnesota’s 23-10 victory over Detroit on Thursday, which eradicated the Lions from rivalry, carried loads of that — from Harrison Smith spearheading the protection in a six-turnover, five-sack efficiency, to Jordan Addison racing round the best 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 profitable 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 advised 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 in all probability will line up house 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 highway 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 house towards Green Bay on Jan. 3 or 4, might wind up with the bottom draft decide 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 stated 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.”

What’s working

The move 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 over the past month.

What wants assist

With beginning tackles Christian Darrisaw (knee) and Brian O’Neill (heel) and beginning middle Ryan Kelly (concussion) all out, the Vikings allowed seven sacks for a whopping 48 yards.

Stock down

Max Brosmer has made a powerful impression with the Vikings as an undrafted rookie, however he clearly isn’t 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.

Stock up

If that is Smith’s last season, the 14th-year security is certain going out robust. In the final 5 video games, he has 20 tackles, seven move deflections, two interceptions, two quarterback hits and one sack.

Injury report

McCarthy’s throwing hand, which sustained a hairline fracture final week, has been responding effectively, O’Connell stated. There’s nonetheless an opportunity he can get better in time to play within the finale if he is in a position to 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 in a position to follow on a restricted foundation final week and was listed as questionable to play, so he might be on monitor to return with the prolonged relaxation.

Key quantity

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 coming into the sport. According to Sportradar information, that was the fewest internet passing yards by a profitable staff within the NFL because the Texans had minus-5 in a win over the Raiders in 2006. The Texans are the one staff within the final 40 years to win a recreation with lower than what the Vikings posted on Thursday.

Up subsequent

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 house 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 another win and end by internet hosting the Lions.

The Vikings might 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 essentially the most receiving yards (8,379) in NFL historical past over a participant’s first six years.

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