There’s ONE Silver Lining from Vikings Loss at DET
It might’ve all worked out to “get it out of the way.”
There’s ONE Silver Lining from Vikings Loss at DET
The Minnesota Vikings lost at the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football, bungling an opportunity to win the NFC North, gain the NFC’s top overall seed, and host all playoff games at U.S. Bank Stadium. Detroit clobbered Minnesota, especially late in the 2nd Half, by a score of 31-9.
And while no loss is good, it may help the Vikings this Monday night that Sam Darnold’s awful game — there was nothing positive about it whatsoever — is in the rearview. If the man was destined or guaranteed to have a poor showing in his first playoff simulation, it’s more advantageous for the purple team that it occurred in a game that did not feature loser-goes-homes stakes.
That is — if one believes Darnold can bounce back (he probably will), saving the clunker for the Wildcard Round would’ve ended Minnesota’s season on the spot.
That didn’t happen.
Instead, the Vikings lost any real semblance of homefield advantage and, rather, will “live to fight another day.” Darnold’s gaffe-filled evening would’ve ended it all had the performance shown up this week at SoFi Stadium.
Of course, Minnesota is not assured to defeat the Los Angeles Rams or anything of the sort. But the coaching staff and Darnold, personally, now have a list of blunders to correct in seven days (or five from the time of this article’s publication). If the Vikings didn’t have the faux playoff game at Ford Field, Darnold would’ve had eight months to grow and learn from his debacle without an abrupt chance to get back on his horse.
Getting the sins out of the way in Week 18, in theory, can pave the way for his rebound outing while the season is still there for the taking.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned Darnold’s performance this week: “There were some plays that could have changed the rhythm and the momentum of that game, especially in that kind of environment. But specifically regarding Sam, the kind of year he’s had and the way he’s responded from any moments of adversity, I’m really excited to get to work with him this week.”
Oddsmakers actually pick Minnesota to win on Monday over Los Angeles by a point or two.
“My confidence level that we can get him right back on track is as high as it could be. I know our coaches feel the same way, and I know, most importantly, his teammates feel the same way,” O’Connell added.
Darnold has a rare chance to get right in a playoff game seven days after a playoff-like loss. Doesn’t happen too often.
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.
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