The Minnesota Vikings are 6-7 and were removed from the NFC playoff picture after their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Now they have to win out, and the Arizona Cardinals — who beat the New York Giants 26-7 last week — have to lose one of their last three games for the Vikings to make the postseason. If Minnesota narrowly misses the playoffs, they will go back and kick themselves for not winning a few games early this year that were in their grasp.
Here are four games from the 2020 season that the Vikings could wish they had a second crack at if they do end up on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs:
Week 3 vs. Tennessee
This was a game that the Vikings had but blew late. They were actually up 24-12 late in the third quarter. Back in Week 3, the Vikings were coming off of two straight losses where they were hardly competitive against the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts. This was the first time the team held the lead and when they got it, they seemed to take their foot off of the gas. The Tennessee Titans threw a bomb to Kalif Raymond and a few plays later Derrick Henry pounded it in for six. The Vikings then went three-and-out and punted back to the Titans, who went down the field in three plays to take the lead on another Henry touchdown.
The Vikings battled back one more time to take the lead, but their defense couldn’t hold it. The Titans ended up kicking two more field goals and won the game by one point. While the defense melting down in the second half was the major reason for this Vikings’ loss, it has to be noted that Dan Bailey missed a 49-yard field goal that would’ve given the Vikings a two-point win.
This was a game that the Vikings definitely should’ve won, and if it weren’t for their young cornerbacks and shaky kicker, they would’ve sealed the deal. They couldn’t hang on for the win, and this early defeat could prove to be detrimental to the Vikings’ playoff chances.
Week 5 vs. Seattle
Minnesota played a primetime game in Seattle for the third year in a row and came out firing, controlling the clock, and taking it to the Seattle Seahawks in the first half. They took a 13-0 lead into halftime behind the strong running of Dalvin Cook. The Vikings were feeling good about themselves as the second half started, but Cook got hurt and the Seahawks seized the momentum and went down the field and scored. Cousins then fumbled which led to another Seattle score. Then, in the following offensive series, Kirk Cousins was picked off by K.J. Wright and suddenly Minnesota found itself down 21-13.
The Vikings were able to battle back and take a 26-21 lead. Following a Russell Wilson interception, the team had a chance to put the game away. They got the ball down to the Seahawks’ 6-yard line. Instead of going for a field goal and going up by eight points, Mike Zimmer elected to go for it on 4th and 1. Alexander Mattison had a hole to his right but didn’t see it and instead cut inside into the back of his lineman and a handful of Seahawks defenders. Of course, Wilson led his team down the field and got the game-winning score in the waning seconds.
While Zimmer may have made a different decision and kicked that field goal if he had another chance, that wasn’t the play that truly decided this game. If the Vikings had not had a brief meltdown in the third quarter and basically handed the Seahawks 14 points, they never would’ve been in that tough spot in the first place. A little better execution and ball security would’ve resulted in an upset win, and they would have a much easier shot at a playoff spot in December.
Week 11 vs. Dallas
This was a game where the Vikings were beaten by an inferior opponent, despite having plenty of opportunities to put the game away. They were simply outmatched from a physical standpoint in this game as the Dallas Cowboys came out with more aggression and pushed the Vikings’ offensive and defensive lines around.
A non-call on contact to Cousins’ head resulted in a fumble that set the Cowboys up for their first touchdown. Cook later fumbled, which set up a Dallas field goal. The Vikings defense couldn’t stop the run, and Dallas took a 16-7 halftime lead.
The Vikings fought back in this game. Cousins hit Adam Thielen twice for scores and they found themselves up by five going into the fourth quarter. But like in the Titans game, the Vikings defense lapsed. The Cowboys ran all over them, capped by a 42-yard Tony Pollard touchdown that was aided by a very poor effort from multiple Vikings’ defenders. Despite that embarrassing series, Minnesota took the lead late, but their defense failed them yet again, as the Andy Dalton-led Cowboys drove down the length of the field to score the game-winning touchdown.
The Vikings defense will rue this game if they playoffs. Poor effort and a lack of toughness in the trenches resulted in Dallas running for 180 yards. Minnesota also lost the turnover battle in this one, and these costly mistakes could result in the team sitting at home in January.
Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay
This is a game where the Vikings came out ready to play, dominated early, and looked like the better team for the majority of the first half. The Vikings ran the ball down the Bucs throats and took an early 6-0 lead. They should have been up by two scores had it not been for their kicker. Bailey missed his extra-point attempt and three field goals.
His leg squandered the Vikings’ momentum and the Buccaneers took control, riding that wave to a 26-14 victory. Bailey’s severe case of the yips was the biggest reason why the Vikings’ lost this game, but it wasn’t the only one. They also ended up on the wrong side of several controversial calls, and their offensive line couldn’t protect Cousins when he dropped back to pass.
While there was no way Zimmer could have foreseen his kicker missing every kick he attempted in this game, perhaps his performance the week prior against the Jacksonville Jaguars should’ve opened his eyes a bit more. Bailey missed two extra points and a field goal in that game, and maybe a move should’ve been made.
This game was there for the taking for the Vikings, but a lack of execution from their kicker, some questionable calls and a poor performance from the offensive line resulted in what could be a very costly loss.
