SKOL from the Sofa

2024 Week 17 – Packers at Vikings

Things are starting to get very real in this week’s edition of Skol from the Sofa, and Andy Thorp says the postseason has started a week early for the Minnesota Vikings.

It feels like the Vikings are already in playoff mode. With the regular season coming to a close, every game is a must-win for the Vikings to earn a playoff bye and homefield advantage throughout the postseason. Sunday night saw playoff intensity from the Vikings on defense early on in the first quarter, before Sam Darnold cut loose and tore the Green Bay defense to shreds. Every game has meaning from this point on.

Ready to tame the Lions?

This week’s primetime matchup against Detroit is going to be huge. This is probably the Vikings biggest game since the playoff defeat to New York a few seasons back. The implications are huge, win and it’s a home run to Superbowl; lose and it’s likely a tricky trip to Tampa to take on a frisky Bucs team. Nothing is a given in the NFL but playing at US Bank Stadium could be the difference between a heroic playoff run and one and out disappointment.

The Vikings will face a Lions team who on one side of the ball boast four players over the 1,000-yard mark this season and weapons wherever you look. On the other side, the defense is banged up and looks vulnerable, although LB Alex Anzalone is back in practice. A not-fully-fit Brock Purdy and rookie WR Ricky Pearsall were able to exploit the Lions woes – I can’t wait to see what Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson can do.

It feels very much like we want to play the Lions whereas the Lions have to play us.

A timely return

Much has been said about the recent form of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. While Packer eyes were fixed on them, Jalen Nailor was able to rediscover his early season form and drop a timely reminder that he is an excellent WR3. In the first half in particular, Nailor had the freedom of US Bank Stadium and was always free for Darnold. If the Vikings are to go deep in the playoffs, contributions from players like Nailor in the passing game and Cam Akers in the run will be needed.

Playoff concerns

The Vikings have been excellent this season but there is room for improvement for sure going into the playoffs. The interior offensive line has been an Achilles heel for a while now and in the first quarter in particular, pressure left Darnold scrambling and led to a few stalled drives.

Stopping the run has also been an issue. It was a blessing that the Vikings were able to build a lead, meaning a muted afternoon for Josh Jacobs. I don’t think the Vikings will be afforded that luxury against Detroit and Jahmyr Gibbs will be ready to capitalise. You would imagine as the playoffs roll on the Vikings could face teams like Philadelphia, whose run game is excellent.

On field goals, Will “the thrill” Reichard was excellent before his injury this season, but since returning, he’s had shaky moments and it seems he might not be fully over his quad injury. I hope the Vikings’ kicking curse is over but it’s one to watch over the coming weeks.

A look ahead

Whatever happens over the next few weeks, this season is above and beyond anything we expected. If at the start of the season you had said we would go to Ford Field with an outside chance of the playoffs, I think we would have all been delighted. The fact we have the opportunity to clinch the NFC North, top the NFC and secure a bye is nothing short of incredible.

Sit back, relax… and enjoy the playoffs, Vikings fans!

Are the Vikings going to secure the number 1 seed? How far is our playoff run going to go? If you’d like to write a future Skol from the Sofa article, drop us an email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or send a DM to any of our social accounts.