EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings reclaimed the ball with a narrow two-point advantage against the Green Bay Packers right before the two-minute warning, making it essential to manage the clock and quell the surging momentum of their rivals. While conventional wisdom suggests running the ball, Head Coach Kevin O’Connell audaciously opted for several passing plays, demonstrating his firm belief in taking risks, the effectiveness of his offensive strategy, and the capabilities of quarterback Sam Darnold. This bold decision paid off with a close 27-25 win over the Packers this past Sunday.
“I felt at ease with Sam in those critical moments,” O’Connell remarked, referencing specific rushing plays called earlier in the game and in other tight situations this season that likely gave the Packers reason to anticipate ground plays. “I believed we would create some openings and utilize Sam’s athleticism on the outside.” With just 2:18 left in the game, Darnold executed a fake handoff to Cam Akers and skillfully maneuvered to the right. Fullback C.J. Ham pretended to block, then slipped into the flat, where he was unmarked. Darnold then bootlegged to his left for a crucial 13-yard gain, extending the drive.
Shortly after, on a second-and-11, Darnold rolled out to the right and managed to complete a difficult throw to Justin Jefferson, who made the contested catch against Packers cornerback Carrington Valentine. This force the Packers to expend their second timeout. On third-and-2, with linebacker Isaiah McDuffie closing in, Darnold hastily tossed a low pass to Akers, who skillfully gathered it before it hit the ground, securing the vital first down that sealed the Vikings’ ninth consecutive victory.
“I aim to ensure that Sam and I maintain a close connection during the game so we can play aggressively,” O’Connell explained. “He continues to make excellent decisions and has been performing at an exceptionally high level for most of the season. The atmosphere in the locker room reflects this, and my play-calling showcases our intent to be aggressive and engage our entire offensive capabilities.” Darnold had an impressive game, completing 33 of 43 passes for a career-high 377 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
The offensive line provided fantastic protection, allowing only one sack against Darnold while giving him ample time to evaluate his options downfield. The Packers had previously racked up 16 sacks over their last four games. “There were certainly times where I could have released the ball faster, particularly on that second-to-last drive,” Darnold acknowledged, “but I thought the offensive line did a tremendous job.”
However, the special teams unit struggled, which has raised concerns. Although the place-kicking unit has been the most reliable aspect of the team this season, rookie Will Reichard had two missed field-goal attempts against the Packers. Punter Ryan Wright averaged just 35.5 yards on two kicks, while returner Brandon Powell fumbled a punt but recovered at the 16-yard line. Ty Chandler’s kickoff return following a Packers touchdown only gained 21 yards, and another return from the end zone barely reached the 23-yard line.
Positive highlights from the game included wide receiver Jalen Nailor, who set season highs with six receptions for 69 yards on eight targets, including a 31-yard touchdown that gave the Vikings a 7-3 lead. In contrast, Jefferson saw limited targets during the first half as the Packers focused on covering him, which pushed Darnold to rely more on Nailor.
Conversely, Reichard had a rough day, missing a 57-yard field-goal attempt that hit the crossbar and a 43-yarder that hit the left upright. Although he successfully converted a 50-yarder due to an offside penalty against the Packers, his confidence remains high. “My trust in Will is tremendous,” O’Connell stated, referencing an impressive practice session earlier in the week. “If we believe we’re within range, I’ll let him take a shot.”
On the injury front, backup edge rusher Patrick Jones narrowly avoided a severe knee injury caused by a low block from tight end Tucker Kraft, and he is expected to possibly return soon. Running back Aaron Jones was held out of the fourth quarter due to a bruised quadriceps, but O’Connell indicated he should be ready for action in the upcoming week.
The key takeaway from this game is that the Vikings’ current winning streak of nine games ties for the third-longest in the team’s history, and the longest since a 10-game streak in 1975.
Looking ahead, the Vikings (14-2) are set to face a crucial regular-season matchup against Detroit on Sunday night, with significant implications on the line. A win could secure them home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs and a first-round bye, putting them only two home victories away from their first Super Bowl appearance in 48 years. Conversely, a loss would initiate a challenging postseason trek as the No. 5 seed against likely opponents in the coming weekend.
