Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Flat outing leaves Vikings needing help
Eagan, Minn. – The Minnesota Vikings had an opportunity Sunday to legitimize their playoff standing despite starting the day with a .500 record.
But an offense that stumbled on third down (2 of 12) and in the red zone (two touchdowns in five trips inside the 20, including one scoreless possession) and a defense being run over by Los Angeles (159 yards rushing) provided the statistical snapshot of the 30-23 loss.
Yet, perhaps more troubling was the emotional side of Sunday’s game. A day after Christmas, Minnesota’s exuberance didn’t match the setting of a game with vital playoff implications.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say the energy was just quite dead, it definitely wasn’t the same,” cornerback Patrick Peterson said Monday. “So, us players have to do a better job of bringing our own juice. That starts in Pop Warner. You shouldn’t need anyone to juice you up for a football game. Just us as players, we have to do a better job of making sure we have our mindset right once we step into the stadium.”
Second-year receiver Justin Jefferson said he felt the lack of energy right away.
“I felt it as soon as I came into the locker room,” Jefferson said after the game. “I was trying to pick up the guys and everything, but still came out slow, still didn’t come out with that energy that we needed to, especially with this type of team.”
The Vikings (7-8) fell out of playoff position and now will need help even if they win their final two games.
WHAT’S WORKING
Minnesota stayed in Sunday’s game thanks to an opportunistic defense. The Vikings intercepted Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford three times. They’ve generated six turnovers the past two games and are now 10th in the league with 22 takeaways.
Minnesota is plus-9 in turnover differential, the sixth-best mark in the
league. Every team with a better ratio is currently in playoff position.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Stopping the run has long been a staple in Minnesota and Zimmer’s defenses. It’s not the case this season. Los Angeles ran for 159 yards and Sony Michel finished with 131 yards rushing, the highest total for a Rams player this season and the second-highest individual total allowed by the Vikings.
STOCK UP
Linebacker Anthony Barr has missed six games due to knee and hamstring injuries. He had his most impactful game Sunday. Barr had two interceptions, two pass deflections, seven tackles and one quarterback hurry as the Vikings gave Stafford fits.
STOCK DOWN
Klint Kubiak has coordinated Minnesota’s offense to the ninth-highest yardage total in the league. But the offensive struggles Sunday, particularly inside the 20, led to Jefferson saying the team needs to be more aggressive in the red zone.