Playoff football is here.
The regular season is over, everything achieved so far means absolutely nothing. It is all about the upcoming game and the Minnesota Vikings go on the road to face the LA Rams.
Due to the horrifying fires raging Los Angeles at the moment the game has been moved to the home of the Arizona Cardinals. The thoughts of everyone at HuddleUK are with those who have been affected.
Hopefully the fires can be controlled soon and the rebuilding progress can begin. So while it is not the traditional home field advantage, the Rams will be the home team.
Whatever your views are on how the playoff seedings work – the 14-win Vikings are the fifth seed as the highest ranked non-division winner. As a result the challenge ahead is clear.
After a punishing defeat against the Detroit Lions to end the regular season, the Vikings are on the road against the Rams.
If you are feeling a sense of déjà vu you are not alone. This feels eerily similar to the regular season visit.
In Week 8 the Rams came out on top against the Vikings just four days after the Lions handed the Vikings their first defeat of the season.
All is not lost, however. Minnesota have had more time to recover and plan for their opponents this time. If they can improve in a few key areas from the previous defeats the game is there to be won.
Sam Darnold gets his mojo back
There is really no other way to say it, Darnold was terrible against the Lions. Multiple throws were five yards too high, open receivers were missed and the ball did not come out quickly enough.
The Vikings coaching team will have spent the week getting back to basics. I would expect to see some of the quick developing plays at the start of the game.
Bubble screens, slants and curls could be the order of the day.
When Darnold gets in to a sense of rhythm we should see the deep passing game open up.
It would be unfair to blame Darnold for everything that went wrong against the Lions, though.
The interior of the offensive line has been porous all season and gave up pressures on nearly 50% of all dropbacks against the Lions. There is no doubt the Rams will be targeting this as an area to attack.
Blake Brandel, Garrett Bradbury and Dalton Risner have to stand up against the rush and give Darnold time to go through his progressions.
Turnover factory continues to produce
Minnesota continued the incredible record of producing at least one turnover in every game this season against Detroit.
With a league leading 24 interceptions – which is the same number of passing touchdowns allowed – the Vikings have consistently found ways to turn the ball over.
On the edges Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel both have double digit sacks. The linebacker tandem of Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman give a subtle balance, both equally adept at rushing the quarterback and dropping into coverage.
If those four can get close to Stafford, the ball hawks in the Vikings secondary will be waiting to pick off any errant throws from their former divisional foe.
Hold Your Nerve
As Vikings we are used to it being close, Kevin O’Connell actually leads all head coaches in percentage of games won in one score games.
I expect another close game on Monday night. If the Vikings can continue to thrive under that pressure the divisional round could be calling.
