Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans react during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Until Sunday afternoon — when it arguably mattered the most — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor had encountered quite the drought.
Then, the Green Bay Packers showed up at U.S. Bank Stadium, and Nailor busted out into stardom, helping Minnesota chip off the cheese team by a score of 27-25.
Nailor hadn’t logged over 20 receiving yards in a game since Week 7, a loss at home against the Detroit Lions. In fact, Nailor had morphed into a footnote in the Vikings’ offense, completely overshadowed by tight end T.J. Hockenson’s season debut in Week 9. In short, Nailor had basically vanished.
But on Sunday, with Minnesota needing a win, plus another next weekend at the Detroit Lions for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, Nailor re-arrived, tabulating 5 receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Sam Darnold trusted Nailor all game, the first noteworthy such example in about 2.5 months.
It might be premature to claim Nailor is back for the long haul — here to stay, that is — yet, Minnesota will see moments in the next few games when Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are somewhat contained. If Darnold dials Nailor’s number — as he did against the Packers — the purple offense could be unstoppable.
Here’s the play that kickstarted Minnesota’s scoring festivities in the Week 17 dub:
After the game, Nailor spoke rather nonchalantly about his performance — almost like he expected it — invoking a lunchpail attitude about his 81 yards: “It felt good to be out there and help the team win, you know. That’s all I’m trying to do — help the team win and get on to the next game. That’s just my focus.”
Nailor was asked if his Packers outing could be viewed as a redemption game because he dropped a few passes throughout the season, but he downplayed the angle. Instead, he focused on the team implication and claimed the season is very much in front of Minnesota. “It feels amazing, but the season’s still not over yet. That’s going to be our mindset until we can’t play no more. I try to enjoy it a little, but but we’re back to work tomorrow,” Nailor said.
The Vikings travel to Detroit for a date with the Lions on Sunday night, and if Minnesota prevails, it will own homefield advantage in the postseason for the first time since 1998.
A loss would sink Minnesota to the NFC’s No. 5 seed and set the club on track for a Round 1 road playoff game, probably at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Atlanta Falcons.
Nailor is under contract in Minnesota through the end of the 2025 season. He’ll turn 26 in March.
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 Vikings 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.