12 Snap Reactions to Ravens at Vikings in Week 10
The Minnesota Vikings put themselves in a precarious spot by losing at home on Sunday to the Baltimore Ravens, falling to 4-5 on the season and inching closer to irrelevance if the primary goal remains to reach the postseason.
Twelve quick-hit takeaways from the Ravens at Vikings matchup — the biggest moments, surprises, and instant reactions from Minnesota’s Week 10 showdown.
A tale of familiar sins emerged in Week 10, and Minnesota just couldn’t stop the errors.
Quick Hits from Vikings-Ravens
Once again, the Vikings’ backs are against the wall.
1. J.J. McCarthy will continue to post games like Sunday’s against the Ravens; this is how quarterback development goes. It’s never, ever a steady climb of positives. It’s a jumbled scribble of the good and the bad, and folks must merely hope by this time next year, the goods outweigh the bads. Two road division wins somehow feel meaningless in the eyes of some after a regression like Sunday’s against Baltimore. There will be more peaks and valleys.
2. A now too prevalent trend, Minnesota abandoned its rushing offense, even though the group averaged 6.7 yards per rush. The Vikings would start a drive with a substantial rushing gain and then stop running the rock. If Kevin O’Connell’s undoing occurs more prematurely than anyone foresees, it will be because he did not figure out how to coach and execute a rushing offense. Teams cannot consistently win in the NFL by passing 42 times, to just 17 rushes. It doesn’t work. Never has.
3. Dallas Turner had another fine game, making an impact in multiple spots. He may get more playing time, too, depending on Jonathan Greenard’s injury prognosis. Turner’s roughing-the-passer infraction stunk, but most forgave him because it fell under the “What is he supposed to do?” category.
4. Minnesota was 3-14 on 3rd Down. That little demon is back after a week off at Detroit. In the games when O’Connell converts 3rd Downs, the Vikings win. When they don’t, they lose.
5. Tip of the cap to Jalen Nailor for his finest games as a pro, delivering 124 receiving yards and a touchdown. If this continues from Nailor, he may be back after 2025, when his contract expires after all. Nailor outshined Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on Sunday, a sentence that has never been typed on this website.
6. Speaking of Jefferson, his game was strange. He was either ill, disengaged, or “off” for the first time in his career. Another sentence that has never been typed on this website: Justin Jefferson did not help the Vikings on Sunday.
7. The penalties are back. Eight false starts anywhere is unforgivable; eight false starts at home is gridiron malpractice. When employing a 22-year-old quarterback, the team needs all the perks it can find; eight false starts is the very opposite of a perk.
8. It’s desperation time for Minnesota. At home next weekend against Chicago is close to an elimination game. The NFC has eight teams with winning records. Seven will reach the postseason. Minnesota is 4-5 at the moment. It must beat Chicago to stay afloat. At the very worst, the Vikings must be 6-6 by the start of December, with the wildly leaping assumption that games versus the Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants can be winnable.
9. Gradually, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is starting to put his thumbprints on games. He has strung together three commendable performances in a row. Here’s to hoping the good version of Allen — the expensive one — is here to stay.
10. Minnesota doesn’t force takeaways anymore. Not at the same rate of yesterday with Brian Flores in charge. Last year through nine games, Flores had 20 takeaways. This year? Nine. More than a 50% drop.
11. Want to know why this season feels drearier than normal?
Vikings Record,
thru 9 Games of a Season,
Kevin O’Connell Era:
2022: 8-1
2023: 5-4
2024: 7-2
2025: 4-5
Under O’Connell, the momentum has usually sprung by now.
12. Next Sunday, Minnesota will probably limit the penalties, force a turnover or two, run the ball, and convert some 3rd Downs. Then, everyone will be back on board. The season has been a rollercoaster per fans’ emotions — more than usual — from doomsday to optimism with every win and loss.
Many warned that ending the Kirk Cousins era in favor of a rookie quarterback to develop would take patience once the youngster arrived. Here we are. Can’t freak out after four starts.
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