Vikings have no one to blame but themselves for Packers loss
One could say the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Green Bay Packers the moment they handed the keys to rookie Jaren Hall earlier in the week.The move made sense, overall. Nick Mullens' propensity to simply hand the ball to the other team was a margin of error the Vikings simply couldn't afford at this point […]
One could say the Minnesota Vikings lost to the Green Bay Packers the moment they handed the keys to rookie Jaren Hall earlier in the week.
The move made sense, overall. Nick Mullens' propensity to simply hand the ball to the other team was a margin of error the Vikings simply couldn't afford at this point in the season.
Therefore, Kevin O'Connell thought the rookie fifth-rounder was the answer – that he could do just enough, while Brian Flores' declining defense led the way.
Well, that didn't work on Sunday night. At all. O'Connell benched Hall at the halftime after the Packers amassed a 21-point lead in the first 30 minutes of the game. He finished the game 5-of-10 for 67-yards and an interception before Mullens took back over.
"There were some things excuse-wise, some things progression-wise, some play calls here and there, that we just had to get everybody — give ourselves a chance, especially with where the score was at the half, just to make sure we got premier execution and at least the process," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said after the game. "I thought Jaren had a good week of preparation. There were some early plays in the game where maybe things were happening pretty quick and progressions and things like that, but like I said, this isn't about Jaren tonight.
"This isn't about any one particular aspect of our team. Ultimately I have to be better for our group. You know, I did think Nick, especially with where the score was at, trusting in his preparation, like him and I talked about all week, when called upon, Nick could go in and help the offense move the ball and see if we could scratch and claw back into the game."
Mullens didn't lead a comeback or anything. He didn't even get close. The damage was done by the time he entered the game, however, so the odds were already against him, to begin with.
Vikings' season implodes at the worst of times
It's crazy to think this team was 7-6 and had a 62% chance of making the playoffs just three weeks ago entering, Week 15. Three straight losses have completely flipped that on its head, however, and the Vikes are now 7-9 are basically eliminated, with just a 3% chance of making the dance.
Not only has the quarterback position become an issue after an inspiring two games from Josh Dobbs, the defense has become a complete shell of itself and can't stop anyone. This is now the third-straight game in which Brian Flores' unit has allowed 27-points or more, as Jordan Love and co. absolutely shredded it all night long.
But, as O'Connell said after the game, the resiliency within this roster is strong. It fought all year long and overcame a slew of problems – there just wasn't enough gas in the tank to get across the finish line.
There's still one last shot to go out on top, though. And, it's against another division rival in the Detroit Lions. We'll see if the Vikings rise to the occasion and finish the season on a strong note.
"I've learned that this group responds to adversity," said O'Connell. "They respond to tough circumstances throughout the season, whatever has happened, injuries, tough results, turnovers, whatever it is, they've come back and gone to work every single week. They love one another in that locker room. They believe ultimately that they'll go back to work and trust in each other, trust in us as coaches."
