The 10-7 Los Angeles Rams eliminated the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings, 27-9, in a game played in Glendale, Ariz., due to the wildfires in L.A.
Coming off an emotional and physically punishing Detroit Lions loss the week before, the Vikings had to reset and rally against the Rams. Teams that play Detroit typically leave the game reeling, which often affects their next game. That happened on the short week between Weeks 7 and 8 during the regular season and on Wild Card weekend.
It’s easy to get caught up in the negative after Minnesota was the first Wild Card team to have 14 wins and lose in the first round. However, Vikings fans shouldn’t forget about all the good fortune and excitement the 2024 squad brought to this fanbase.
Coming into the season, oddsmakers projected the Vikings to be a six-to-seven-win team. They won 14. When every game in the NFL is a challenge, and any team can win on any Sunday, winning 14 games is not easy. Not to mention that they made it to the playoffs and extended their season by a game. In a year where some had Minnesota finishing last in the division, being in the playoffs and fighting for the No. 1 seed until the final game of the regular season is something to celebrate.
It started with Kevin O’Connell and his coaching staff, who had this whole group believing in themselves and one another from the first day of training camp. He’s in the conversation for Coach of the Year, and deservedly so, based on Minnesota’s expectations entering the season.
Brian Flores also played a significant role. Minnesota’s defensive play-caller is a hot commodity during this offseason coaching cycle. He devised multiple coverages and designs that he designed pre-snap to fool offenses.
Minnesota had a blitz-happy defense with a takeaway in every game of the season (33 total takeaways, tied for most in the league). Flores always seemed to keep this team in every regular season game they played, no matter how the offense looked.
The Vikings also got surprisingly positive performances from players this season, starting with Sam Darnold. Entering the season, people thought he was only a bridge QB until J.J. McCarthy could step into the starter role. After McCarthy went down with a knee injury, Darnold became the incumbent starter. The third-overall pick in 2018 exceeded expectations throughout the season, even entering the MVP conversation in some circles.
People also questioned what Aaron Jones had left in the tank. In his first season with the Vikings, Jones played the full season and had a career-high in rushing yards.
Jordan Addison grew as a player and stepped in as the No. 2 receiver behind All-Pro Justin Jefferson. Together, they created issues for defenses every week, uniting to form a top receiving duo in the league. They got even more help when T.J. Hockenson returned from injury, bolstering a receiving corps that created matchup problems for any opponent.
The offensive line gave Sam Darnold the second-most time in the pocket. Although they had moments of busted plays and missed blocks, their job throughout the season in keeping Darnold upright is commendable. They did so without Christian Darrisaw, who left the Week 8 Rams game with a season-ending knee injury. However, the team acted quickly, trading for veteran Cam Robinson to replace Darrisaw.
The Vikings overhauled their defense in the offseason. The new players continually stepped up on defense when Minnesota needed it the most during the regular season. Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman, and Byron Murphy became household names in the Twin Cities. Van Ginkel, Greenard, and Murphy are Pro-Bowl selections, and Van Ginkel was selected second-team All-Pro.
Josh Metellus showed that he could be the most coveted defender in the league with his ability to play any position on one side of the ball and make his presence known. As a positionless Swiss Army Knife, Metellus became a valuable, versatile player who could step in as a linebacker to increase depth when needed.
Veteran Harrison Smith helped mentor the younger stars and continued to create havoc, even after playing 13 seasons in the league, all of them in purple. His high level of play and energy during every snap makes him a fan favorite — and an offense’s worst nightmare.
He didn’t want to think about whether it was his final season after losing to the Rams. “I haven’t wanted to think about it, kind of selfishly live in the moment,” he said, “and I’m kind of still in that moment.”
If it is his last season, former linebacker for the Vikings, Ben Leber, may have said what every fan would like to say to Smith: “I just want to say thank you from myself and all the Vikings fans out there,” he told Smith. “You’re one of one, and we all love you and appreciate you.”
These guys, and many more, made this Vikings team one of the most fun to watch. Whether it was the play on the field, the viral dancing in the end zone after turnovers, or funny interviews in the locker room, this team gave their fans many great moments that some fan bases were not so lucky to have.