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

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 game plan for the offense — and the main target for the whole staff because the calendar turned to December.

The one-week-at-a-time strategy — a soccer teaching basic — has labored nicely with the Vikings, who’ve gained 4 consecutive video games to deliver 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 12 months’s draft place, there’s carryover worth — as O’Connell clearly believes — in working towards the artwork of profitable 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 proper finish for a 65-yard landing run, to Will Reichard setting the franchise season file with 11 area targets 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 maintain them profitable from the NFC North however taking the highest seed within the convention, and at last flustered quarterback Jared Goff after getting carved up by him lately.

“Winning in December matters!” O’Connell informed 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 may create vital variations of their 2026 schedules, with video games subsequent 12 months 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, may 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 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 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.

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 robust impression with the Vikings as an undrafted rookie, however he clearly just isn’t able to be a real No. 2 quarterback. With J.J. McCarthy sidelined by a hand harm, 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 go 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 nicely, O’Connell stated. 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 working again Jordan Mason (ankle) towards the Lions. O’Neill was capable of apply on a restricted foundation final week and was listed as questionable to play, so he could possibly be on observe to return with the prolonged relaxation.

Key quantity

3 — That’s what number of web 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 information, that was the fewest web 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 may nonetheless have lots 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 maintain 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 succeed in 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 harm. 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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