Vikings' playoff odds see dramatic shift entering Week 17
The Minnesota Vikings have now lost four of their last five games, including two straight, as they head into a do-or-die Week 17 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.An unsettled quarterback position and a defense that hasn't played up to its standard are the culprits behind the disarray and the Vikings' playoff hopes have been […]
The Minnesota Vikings have now lost four of their last five games, including two straight, as they head into a do-or-die Week 17 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
An unsettled quarterback position and a defense that hasn't played up to its standard are the culprits behind the disarray and the Vikings' playoff hopes have been flipped on its head.
Per the New York Times' playoff machine, the Vikings' odds of making the dance are currently 28%, which falls into the category of "very low". The fact said odds were at a robust 74% just five weeks ago makes the current skid even more painful to digest.
"I mean you never want to lose back-to-back games, [and be] under .500. It hurts and our backs are against the wall, but you know we have to bounce back," Vikings defender Josh Metellus said after the loss to the Detroit Lions.
"… This is exactly how playoff football is, coming down to the last drive, last play. Obviously, we didn’t play our best game, but we gave ourselves a chance to win it in the end. At one point we had the lead at the 4th so it’s all about just executing and the games are going to go up and down, that’s part of football. We just must find a way to be our best."
Entering last week, the Vikings had a 53% chance of making the postseason, while the Packers had just a 23%. Now, after the latest update, both teams are tied at 28% and obviously Sunday night's game will sink whomever comes up short.
The Vikings' injury issues won't help
The Vikings suffered a plethora of injuries to key players on Sunday, including losing ascending pass rusher, D.J. Wonnum, for the year. And, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the team is "bracing for damage" when it comes to star tight end T.J. Hockenson's knee injury.
There's also the ankle injury to rookie phenom, Jordan Addison. Hockenson obviously won't play against the Packers, which is already bad enough. But things are going to get really hairy if Addison can't go.
Sure, Justin Jefferson can put the offense on his back, but Nick Mullens needs the other playmakers on the field in order to create the easiest matchups/situations, possible. Because, as we've seen, Mullens is mistake prone and being in tight situations will only exacerbate the potential for more screw-ups.
Make no mistake, this is a must-win for the Vikings. And the Packers. The former has scratched and clawed its way all season and that's not going to change, this week.
The only question that remains is: Can they do it, yet again?
