Questions Answered: Greatest-Case Vikings State of affairs in Playoffs, Will Reichard Fears, Will Darnold Bounce Again?

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Questions Answered: Greatest-Case Vikings State of affairs in Playoffs, Will Reichard Fears, Will Darnold Bounce Again?

Additionally, please notice: These are opinion-based responses. Some solutions shall be incorrect now and again. However we’ll attempt to hold that to a minimal.

Followers look on after the Detroit Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings and turning into the 2024 NFC North Champions at Ford Subject in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. © Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos.

Q: What’s the Vikings’ greatest path within the playoffs?

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Reply: It’s a bit difficult, so we’ll simply checklist it out:

Vikings over Rams (WC)

Packers over Eagles (WC)

Commanders over Buccaneers (WC)

Commanders at Vikings (Divisional)

Packers at Lions (Divisional)

Packers at Vikings (NFC Title Recreation)

This can be a lot of “cheering for the Packers,” however in order for you Minnesota to play at residence, the best route is for Inexperienced Bay to tug off some upsets.

In any other case, defeating the Rams on Monday and heading to Tampa Bay within the Divisional Spherical isn’t a really daunting project, all issues thought-about. Once more, although, this can require a Packers upset.

If no upsets happen, and the Vikings prevail at SoFi Stadium, Minnesota will return to Detroit within the Divisional Spherical.

Q: Are you anxious about Will Reichard?

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Reply: No.

We didn’t count on him to excellent from cowl to cowl throughout his rookie season. And final weekend, he missed a 51-yarder at Detroit. That occurs. It simply does.

His kick out of bounds late within the 2nd Quarter stunk, however such is life.

We’re extra enthusiastic about Reichard getting again on monitor within the postseason than we’re apprehensive about extra misses.

Reichard shall be positive.

Q: Will Sam Darnold bounce again this week in opposition to the Rams?

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Photos.

Reply: Sure.

The Vikings’ entrance workplace and maybe 5-7 onlooking common managers from afar will monitor Darnold’s efficiency after the Week 18 stinker. Many have theorized that Darnold has a contract north of $40 million ready on him within the offseason from a quarterback-needy crew.

One other woeful particular person displaying may slash that determine to $20 million or so. Maybe much less. It’s virtually as if one sport alone determines Darnold’s long-term trajectory as an NFL participant and businessman.

Darnold has delivered and rebounded each step of the best way in 2024. We count on this week to be no completely different.

He might not toss 5 touchdowns, however he gained’t fireplace up a Detroit-style clunker.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his day by day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options company, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple crew, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as carefully because the NFL. 

All statistics supplied by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual data supplied by OverTheCap.com.