Vikings Steelers, 2021.
The Minnesota Vikings held a commanding 29-0 lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday night, impressing a national audience with such a Pittsburghian spanking. Mike Zimmer’s team could’ve staved off all Steelers advances and left U.S. Bank Stadium with something like a 43-7 triumph. A big win would’ve convinced the Vikings internally that they are worthy of respect, convincing outsiders, too, that “wow, this team just thumped Pittsburgh.”
But according to the rest of happenings in 2021 – every Vikings game is close – Minnesota melted down, losing the gigantic lead while almost fumbling the game altogether. In the end, the Vikings survived, 34-26, after a pass-breakup by All-Pro safety Harrison Smith.
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Ergo, Minnesota continues its high-stakes trek to the sixth or seventh seed in the NFC playoffs. A loss probably would’ve been a season-ending dagger as the Saints, Falcons, Eagles, and Washington hold the same record as Minnesota – 6-7. A 5-8 Vikings team wouldn’t turn anything around.
Because the victory occurred in riches-to-rags format, the national media and NFL fans weren’t too spellbound by the Vikings win. This was evidenced in NFL.com’s weekly power rankings. The Vikings are now considered the 17th-best team in the NFL, up two spots after losing in Week 13 to the Detroit Lions. The author of the rankings, Dan Hanzus, wrote about Minnesota:
“Why can’t the Vikings just be normal? It’s a simple question with a complicated, perhaps unknowable, answer. The Vikings jumped out to a 29-0 third-quarter lead at home against the Steelers on Thursday Night Football, and somehow still ended up playing another game that came down to the final snap. Credit the Vikings’ defense for getting that last stop, but it’s become obvious that Mike Zimmer’s team is affected by the knowledge that it always lets opponents back into games. It’s become the Vikings’ DNA, a self-fulfilling prophecy, and it’s aging the entire state of Minnesota in dog years.”
Joining the Vikings in this neighborhood of supremacy – you know, slightly below average – are the Baltimore Ravens at #16 and the Washington Football Team at #18. Both of those teams are fighting off competition to retain playoff seeding.
Next week, the #17 Vikings take on the 26th-ranked Chicago Bears. The Vikings are favored by 3.5 points via most sportsbooks, an weird line because Minnesota struggles mightily per history at Soldier Field – especially in the last two decades. The Vikings are 5-15 (.250) in Chicago since 2000.
Now, the team and its fans await injury status updates. Dalvin Cook – who was heavenly on Thursday Night Football – should play after 11 days of rest. Adam Thielen, nursing a high ankle sprain, is more mysterious. Everson Griffen is eligible to return, but his mental health is the priority. And then the “usual” injuries (questionables, doubtfuls, etc.) should start hitting the wire on Wednesday.
If the Vikings win at Chicago, they’ll hold 50% odds to reach the playoffs. A loss sinks the extracurricular postseason dream down to 11%.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).