Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell looks on during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Each week, we offer a “snap reactions” piece detailing thoughts and analysis after the latest Minnesota Vikings game.
This will be off-the-cuff, a wee bit random, and hopefully insightful.
The Vikings lost at home on Sunday afternoon to the Detroit Lions 31-29, their first misfire of the 2024 campaign. Minnesota was expected to win by 1.5 points but fell by two. Onward.
1 — That was probably the most optimistic loss in the history of the U.S. Bank Stadium for the Vikings — if that makes any sense at all. Minnesota went head to head with the team showcasing the best roster in the sport and lost by two. There’s no shame in that, especially for a Vikings team that was supposed to win just six or seven games in 2024.
2 — The addition of T.J. Hockenson to the lineup — probably on Thursday — will have the impact of a midseason trade. Assuming his health is in tip-top shape, he’ll be a sure-fire difference-maker. Book it.
3 — Minnesota’s defense wasn’t going to play flawlessly from cover to cover this season, and it checks out that the Lions gave it fits. It is impossible to contain Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta in unison. And that’s all in addition to the sport’s best offensive line.
4 — Jared Goff always seems to shred the Vikings and, in fact, plays better against the purple team than Matthew Stafford ever did. It’s not even close.
5 — Vikings fans shouldn’t hold Sam Darnold to an elite standard. Some have criticized his drop-off from the first three games to the last three. He’s not elite — and won’t morph into an elite starter, at least not consistently. Instead of interpreting him as a misunderstood, unpolished Joe Burrow — he’s actually younger than Burrow — he should be viewed as a Kerry Collins, Carson Palmer, Jay Cutler, or Joe Flacco type. Darnold is a good quarterback — not a great quarterback. He is not the Vikings’ savior. That’s J.J. McCarthy’s job.
6 — Will Reichard is simply fantastic. His afternoon turned out perfect. Kevin O’Connell said after the game that if the last-second penalty didn’t emerge, he would’ve allowed Reichard to try a game-winning 70-yard field goal. Think of the confidence one must have to trust a rookie kicker from that range.
7— Andrew Van Ginkel — again — flew all over the place, tabulating 7 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. The guy’s a machine. His price tag is $10 million per season. Unreal.
8 — Brian Flores’ group needed to stop just one touchdown drive during the Lions’ back-to-back-to-back-to-back touchdown spurt. But Dan Campbell and Co. were just too powerful for that hour.
9 — A not-fully-healthy Aaron Jones played marvelously, so tip of the cap to him for gutting it out. Without him, the Vikings might’ve lost by 10+.
10 — Detroit’s offense was the best Minnesota will see all year — until it plays Detroit to end the season. Peek at the upcoming schedule: Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans. Does that scare you at all? Any of it?
11 — This matchup feels like this: if these clubs played 10 times in the next 10 weeks, Detroit would win six, and Minnesota would win four. The Vikings aren’t far from this level of competition. And that’s supremely encouraging.
12 — The Vikings averaged 7.3 yards per play — and lost. That hurts.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.