The 5 Main Takeaways from Vikings-Cardinals
The Minnesota Vikings toppled the 6-5 Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, using a fancy 2nd Half to prevail by a score of 23-22 after a lackluster first 30 minutes.
The 5 Main Takeaways from Vikings-Cardinals
The Vikings now have a 10-2 record in 2024 — a season when they were supposed to win about six or seven games, according to oddsmakers.
The Vikings next play the Atlanta Falcons at home, but before that, these are the five main takeaways from Vikings-Cardinals.
5. Ground Game Woes
Minnesota produced just 68 rushing yards, its second-worst output of the season. Against the Los Angeles Rams in late October, the Vikings managed just 64 yards on the ground — and lost.
Kevin O’Connell and friends had figured out the rushing scheme quite efficiently at the start of the season, but that department has regressed since the bye week.
Aaron Jones, Cam Akers, and Ty Chandler must rekindle rushing operations, or the club could be staring at a dreaded one-and-done in the postseason.
4. Justin Jefferson Is “Back”
The Chicago Bears used earnest double- and triple-coverage on Justin Jefferson last weekend, and to an extent, the plan worked.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, opted against that approach, and Jefferson cooked Arizona for 99 receiving yards on 7 catches. Nobody really proclaimed Jefferson in a slump or anything of the sort, but just in case folks wondered, Jefferson can only be contained for so long.
3. Awful on 3rd Down
Minnesota converted one 3rd Down attempt on eight attempts — and somehow won.
Few teams can get away with that and achieve victory, and it hardly ever ends well for Minnesota. In fact, Sunday’s game was the first time in Vikings history that they converted one 3rd Down or less, ran for less than 75 rushing yards — and still won.
They were previously 0-11 when converting just one 3rd Down and rushing for less than 75 yards in games since 1961.
2. Clutch Darnold — Again
In Week 12, the Vikings called on Sam Darnold in overtime to lead a game-winning drive at the Chicago Bears. He said, “Sure, I can do that.” Minnesota won 30-27.
Darnold got the call again in Week 13 and delivered another game-winning drive even after a dreadful 1st half from himself and his teammates.
This clutch version of Sam Darnold might be a thing.
1. One More Win Needed for Playoff Entry
If Minnesota topples Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday — they are favored to do so by 4.5 points — it will all but stamp a ticket to the postseason. It would be virtually unheard of for a team with an 11-win team to miss the dance in the seven-team-per-conference playoff format.
This is noteworthy because sportsbooks and this website expected the Vikings to finish 7-10 or 8-9 in 2024.
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.
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