Followers look on after the Detroit Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings and turning into the 2024 NFC North Champions at Ford Discipline in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
The Minnesota Vikings had an opportunity to lock down the No. 1 seed on Sunday evening in opposition to the Detroit Lions.
As an alternative, they let the prospect slip away after a 31-9 loss to the Lions, permitting Detroit to make sure that the highway to the Tremendous Bowl within the NFC would run by means of Ford Discipline. With the sport and the common season within the books, listed here are 5 takeaways from Week 18’s loss.
1. Sam Darnold Was Unhealthy, however Don’t Panic
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Let’s get this one out of the way in which first. Sam Darnold was horrible on Sunday evening. There was missed alternative after missed alternative as a result of the Vikings’ quarterback sailed passes over the heads of Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson all evening.
That being mentioned, Darnold has confronted scrutiny a lot of the season after unhealthy video games. Bear in mind his three interceptions in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars? He threw 18 touchdowns and two interceptions within the seven video games since main as much as Sunday evening. He at all times has discovered a approach to bounce again, and Vikings followers must hope that he can do it another time this season.
2. Third/Fourth Downs Have been Disastrous
Minnesota Vikings operating again Aaron Jones (33) makes a catch in opposition to Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) in the course of the first half at Ford Discipline in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
The Minnesota Vikings actually haven’t been an elite staff on third down this yr, they usually not often went for it on fourth downs up till tonight. That being mentioned, these downs have been a killer for the staff each on offense and protection on Sunday evening.
Minnesota transformed simply three of their 13 third down makes an attempt and failed on all three of their fourth downs. Defensively, the Vikings allowed Detroit to transform 5 of their 12 third downs and two of their 4 fourth downs. It’s not a horrible displaying, however the Vikings’ inefficiencies on offense made it an not possible process for the protection.
3. Give the Lions’ Protection Credit score
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Detroit has been eternally banged up on the defensive aspect of the ball this season, and Terrion Arnold left Sunday’s recreation. Even nonetheless, they managed to convey oodles of strain on Sam Darnold all evening, totaling 10 QB hits and a pair of sacks on the QB. They made each Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson nonfactors all through a lot of the evening.
This Lions staff has been the No. 1 staff within the NFC all season, and their depth confirmed why that’s the case on Sunday.
4. Kicking Stays a Concern
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Vikings followers will proceed watching kicks with one eye closed all through the playoffs after Will Reichard missed one other subject objective on Sunday evening and had a kickoff gaff that led to factors on the finish of the primary half. Given Minnesota’s historical past will kicking, Reichard’s performances over the previous month haven’t made issues simple on followers.
5. A Powerful Activity Lies Forward
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Their first process on that highway features a journey to SoFi Stadium to face a Rams staff that has Tremendous Bowl pedigree on the prime of its group. Then, it doubtless will end in both a visit Detroit or Philadelphia in the course of the divisional spherical in the event that they make it previous that first take a look at.
Editor’s Word: Statistics from this text have been discovered through ESPN and Professional Soccer Reference.
