The Vikings Week 16 loss at home to the Lions dramatically decreased their playoff chances. They were sitting at just over 50% odds coming into the game, and those were essentially cut in half. It’s also clear after watching them against a superior opponent that the Vikings are a clear-cut below the real contenders in the NFC. Given the injuries and adversity the Vikings faced this year, that should have been expected.
The fact that the Vikings managed to go down swinging is a true testament to Kevin O’Connell’s coaching staff. Losing Kirk Cousins for the season with the team sitting at 4-4 should have spelled the end for Minnesota. Instead, the Vikings have managed to be in every game that they’ve played since he’s gone down. Minnesota has either won or lost one-score games in every outing without Cousins. The Vikings Week 16 loss to the Lions by 6 was their highest margin of defeat without their starting quarterback.
Minnesota truly gave an admirable effort down the stretch to get into the playoffs, but it may be time to reconsider their goals for the remainder of the season now that they no longer control their own destiny. Even if the Vikings were able to get to the playoffs, Sunday showed that they won’t be able to compete. They would be playing exclusively on the road against healthier and more talented opponents. Rather than fight tooth and nail to meet that fate, Minnesota should shift its focus to evaluating its roster for next season. It’s time to find out if their rookie quarterback can play.
The Vikings Need to Find out What Jaren Hall can do with Two Games Remaining
It’s fair to say that Nick Mullens could be the Vikings best chance to win their last two games. The Packers are shuffling after struggling to beat the lowly Panthers this week, and the Lions could be resting their starters in their rematch in Detroit. Both games may not take much in terms of quality quarterback play to come away with wins. However, it’s clear that Nick Mullens simply isn’t athletically gifted enough to play at a high level even in spurts. Twice on Sunday, his lack of arm strength led to interceptions on plays that could have been touchdowns. On top of that, he would cost the Vikings $4M if they chose to bring him back as the backup next season.
The Vikings drafted Jaren Hall in the fifth round out of BYU as a possible long-term option at backup quarterback. In limited action this season, Hall has impressed with his speed and has shown great accuracy and touch downfield. Had he not gone down with a concussion at the end of a long drive in Atlanta, Hall may never have relinquished his role as lead backup down the stretch. Now with Mullens proving unable to play mistake-free football, Hall should be given another chance to prove himself.
Even if Hall turns out not to be a productive player, the Vikings will at minimum know what they have going into the offseason. Right now, the Vikings may need to find both a starting and backup quarterback for 2024. Hall has shown flashes of being a true upgrade over Nick Mullens at the position. With a deep playoff run out of the realm of possibility, the Vikings need to find out what Jaren Hall can do.
Justin Jefferson Shines Again in Vikings Week 16 Loss
The Vikings are likely going to regret not signing Justin Jefferson to an extension prior to the 2023 season. Despite missing a handful of games due to injury this season, he continues to demonstrate that he is the best receiver in the league. Sunday’s ludicrous catch on 3rd and 27 brought back memories of his insane catch in Buffalo last season. Those are grabs that no other receiver in football can make, yet Jefferson almost makes them feel expected. Even with a third-string quarterback throwing him the ball, Jefferson almost single-handedly beat Detroit.
Jefferson’s value to the Vikings simply can’t be overstated. The Vikings are a completely different team with Jefferson out there and his agent knows it. The price tag is only going to keep going up as Jefferson continues to put out performances like Sunday’s. Even with Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson going down midway through the game, the Vikings kept moving the ball. If the Vikings have Justin Jefferson out there, it almost doesn’t matter who the other weapons are. No matter how high the asking price is this offseason, it’s one Minnesota’s front office will have to meet.
Main Photo: Matt Krohn – USA Today Sports
