Many people are not picking the Vikings to win the game this weekend and that is understandable. But the team surely believes it has a very good chance to get some pay back on the Lions. The last time the Vikings beat the Lions was in week 3 of the 2022 season. They are overdue. I really like their chances to get a win this week. As always, turnovers will be key and overcoming them against a team like the Lions could be difficult. I have to take the Vikings though.
Who are you taking?
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Dan Campbell on Week 18 showdown with Vikings: “Exciting . . . but it’s not like it’s the playoffs”
By way of upside, the stakes on Sunday night between the Vikings and Lions are as high as they can be in a regular-season game. By way of downside, it’s not as if the loser will be done.
Lions coach Dan Campbell knows it.
“I mean, this is exciting, but it’s not like it’s the playoffs,” Campbell told reporters on Wednesday, via Dave Birtkett of the Detroit Free Press.
“For where we’re at, it’s the next one and it is exciting, but we all know it’s still going to come down to the prep and we got to put the work in,” Campbell said. “It’s going to start today. We’ll be out there in a walk-through and then, man, you put your best foot forward and you give your guys all you can and you cut them loose and let them go make plays and see where you step up. So that’s the exciting part.”
“Well, you just, you try to set yourself up the best you can and that’s why you put those goals out there,” Campbell said. “So yeah, it’s been there for a while, so certainly this is something we want to do and we’ve had in our minds. Division and one seed and all that, and it’s right here in our hands. . . .
“Our mindset is wholly on this game right now. It’s about this next game and it’s about finding a way to win, no different than what we just did. We had to find a way to win that game, San Francisco, against a team that really — they gave us what they had and they played hard. We had to do it in Chicago the week before, so it’s the next one in front of us, and we’ve got to find a way to win this game, period, and really don’t care what it looks like, we’ve just got to win.”
NFL picks, predictions for Week 18: Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Lions 34, Vikings 31
Iyer: “The Vikings have pushed the Lions to the limit like no one expected, but the play of Sam Darnold and Brian Flores’ defense has them well positioned. The Lions, however, will be ready to smash at home one last time to win a high-scoring affair with the better closing running game.”
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Lions 31, Vikings 27
Bender: “Who gets homefield advantage in the NFC? This game should be a thriller, and the Vikings have mastered close games this season with Kevin O’Connell. Minnesota is 9-1 in one-score games this season, but the lone loss is to Detroit. The Lions are 6-1 in one-score games this season. Who knew Jared Goff and Sam Darnold would be must-see TV in the finale?”
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Vikings 31, Lions 28
Cluff: “These two NFC North rivals could be the best teams in the conference. We’ve doubted the Vikings all season, but Minnesota has won nine straight games. It can beat the Lions in a thriller on the road in NFL Week 18.”
John Breech, CBS Sports: Lions 30, Vikings 23
Breech: “I feel like this is going to come down to who plays better out of Jared Goff and Sam Darnold. That might seem obvious, but all you have to do is look at each’s team passing defense to realize why the QB battle will probably decide the game. The Lions are surrendering 250.4 yards per game through the air, which is the second-worst number in the NFL. But Vikings fans, don’t laugh, because your team isn’t much better: The Vikings have given up an average of 243.6 yards per game, which is the fifth-worst in the NFL. Darnold has never played in a game of this magnitude, so I’m going to take they guy who’s won multiple big games in his career and that’s Goff.”
Vikings likely to add Daniel Jones to active roster for comp pick reasons
There isn’t much question as to whether or not the Vikings will sign quarterback Daniel Jones from their practice squad to their active roster this week. It’s essentially a no-brainer, as Jones being on the 53-man roster would allow him to factor into the compensatory pick formula if he departs in free agency this offseason.
Part of the reason why the Vikings signed Jones is because they might consider bringing him back next season as a backup or bridge option with J.J. McCarthy. But Jones may also pursue another opportunity in free agency, especially if Darnold sticks around in Minnesota. If that happens and he signs a big enough contract, he could help out the Vikings’ comp pick situation for basically no cost.
KOC: Vikings are ‘different team’ than one that lost to Detroit in October
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell feels the team he’s leading into battle this week is a different squad than the one that took the field on Oct. 20 in Minneapolis.
“Teams morph and change throughout the year,” O’Connell told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio on Tuesday. “I think the best teams figure out their identity and stay true to that. The team we’re playing in Detroit, they know their identity. They know who they are. I think Dan (Campbell)’s done a phenomenal job building that up and they’re a fantastic football team. But I would say I think we know who we are as well, and I think that’s been something that’s been the identity of this team, long before the wins and the success came our way. It was very important to build that identity and that core foundation to who we are. I also think we’re a different team on the field as well. We haven’t had many instances over the past few years where we have all of our offensive weapons on the field at the same time.”
During that 31-29 loss in October, the Vikings were without several key stars, including tight end T.J. Hockenson and linebacker Blake Cashman. They’ve since lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw, replacing him with Cam Robinson, but the Lions have lost RB David Montgomery and four of their 11 defensive starters in that Week 7 meeting.
“When I look at our offense, I know we really just recently felt like we truly, truly had this thing come together with the original vision we had for it. Obviously, with the quarterback playing as well as he is, it’s a real bonus because he’s been so consistent. He’s the driving force behind everything that we do,” continued O’Connell. “Then defensively, Brian Flores and that group, every time they take the field I just love watching them play because they play to that identity.”
Brian Flores comments on controversial hit that injured Vikings OLB Pat Jones II
Jones was injured on a low block from Packers tight end Tucker Kraft on a jet motion block. It had many on social media saying the hit was dirty.
That had Packers head coach Matt LaFleur all fired up and vehemently defended Kraft’s actions.
“It’s the same thing that their guys were doing to our defensive ends, OK?” LaFleur began. “It’s a cross-sift. It’s a totally legal play. You’ve got to defeat the block, and there’s a lot of different ways to do it. Cox (Packers defensive end Brenton Cox Jr.) got sawed off by (Vikings tight end) Johnny Mundt one time and they got somebody else. They did it to us twice in the game. What are we talking about? I get it. As a defensive player, they don’t like it. I think Troy’s (NFL executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent) already come out and said that he wants to eliminate low blocks around the league. But that is — it’s part of the game. So if you don’t want to get those types of blocks, you can’t be so out of control.”
LaFleur also mentioned a “safety who I won’t name” who has injured multiple receivers with low hits. That safety is Detroit Lions’ Kerby Joseph, who is responsible for the torn ACLs of both T.J. Hockenson and Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee.
Naturally, Flores was going to be asked about it and he was very honest about it, talking about how the league tried to ban the hit but it’s still legal.
“I mean, it’s a legal play, you know, letter of the law. It’s a legal play. I know there was some discussions about getting that one out. Obviously, that one didn’t pass. I think when the jet motions, those become hard because you’re generating some speed, you’re generating some force, and it can be, I guess dangerous is the word to use, but you I’m sure that’s all going to be talked about, and the intent of the entire play. But overall, I mean, it’s legal. There’s not much you can really say about it. thankfully, Pat’s wasn’t like a season-ending thing, and he’s kind of day-to-day. But yeah, I mean, it’s, stuff to watch, as we all saw. But thankfully, it’s good,”
The Minnesota Vikings are Working Out Punters, Apparently…?
In a rather surprising report Tuesday, NFL insider Aaron Wilson (NBC – Houston) tweeted that the Minnesota Vikings worked out two punters on Tuesday — Jake Julien and Nik Constantinou — along with a couple of depth offensive tackles. The Vikings’ punter for the past three seasons, Ryan Wright, is a 2024 Pro Bowl finalist.
If there was any debate left, it ended in a shower of cheers and water — on the shoulders of teammates and celebrated by the Minnesota Vikings’ social media account — in full view of head coach Kevin O’Connell, who looked on with a smile as he watched Sam Darnold get hoisted into the air.
After a rousing 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, which gave Darnold his 14th win as a starter this season — more than any quarterback in a single season in Vikings history and the most ever by an NFL QB in his first year with a team — the debate about his future has likely ended. As the locker room door closed behind him Sunday, the closing argument for his future as a Viking locked into place, too. Waiting inside, his teammates screamed in celebration and sprayed him with water, lifting him up as the locker room sung in unison as Darnold smiled and raised his hands up into a little groove.
The team’s X account framed a video of the moment with a statement that says it all: “THAT’S OUR FREAKING QUARTERBACK”.
This is what a galvanized locker room looks like, stepping behind a starting QB who continues to put in work worthy of MVP consideration through 16 games: 4,153 passing yards, 35 touchdown passes versus 12 interceptions, a 68 percent completion rate and a 14-2 record that has delivered the Vikings to the doorstep of the NFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage through the conference title game. It’s the kind of thing a team would celebrate, even if it comes one week before facing the Detroit Lions in a game that will decide that top seed.
It again underscores a decision the Vikings will now seemingly have to make in a few months: Retaining Darnold either on the franchise tag in 2025 or with a new long-term contract that goes much longer — despite drafting J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in April. Not just because of the overall numbers that Darnold has put up this season or even the stellar record under his belt, but also because it’s become clear that O’Connell now trusts him in the most vital moments that can have a massive impact on a season.
Sunday was precisely that, facing a postseason-bound Packers team in a must-win game if the Vikings wanted to remain on pace to challenge the Lions for that No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs. How did O’Connell respond? By effectively putting the game in Darnold’s hands twice — first by tilting the play-calling into a pass-heavy rhythm that resulted in Darnold throwing 43 times (versus only 18 runs), and then by balancing the final drive on Darnold’s arm when the Vikings needed a first down to ice it late in the fourth quarter.
Needing two first downs to burn off Green Bays timeouts and end the game, O’Connell dialed up three passes and one run. That’s no small thing for a quarterback who is playing for O’Connell for the first time, not to mention spending his first season running O’Connell’s version of the Shanahan offense.
In a way, it showcases what O’Connell has insisted to anyone who has bothered to ask over the past few months. This is real, sustainable success; and that the success is built squarely around Darnold in the saddle. Indeed, Darnold has had O’Connell’s confidence for awhile now. And Sunday, the rest of the locker room stamped its own approval with a sledgehammer, in a moment that doesn’t happen that often inside NFL teams, particularly when it’s not accentuating capturing a division crown, locking down a playoff spot or winning a Super Bowl.
And make no mistake, despite the Lions boat-racing their way through this season and finding ways to beat teams despite mounting injuries, the Vikings may be their most difficult offensive challenger left in the NFC — unless the Philadelphia Eagles can gain a fully healthy Jalen Hurts back for the playoffs. But until that happens, the Lions will have to contend with Minnesota boasting four monumentally difficult matchups at the skill position spots, including wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, as well as former Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back Aaron Jones.
Needless to say, if the Lions are going to earn that No. 1 seed, they’re going to do it against a team that should scare every NFC Super Bowl contender right now. Because the Vikings officially have their “freaking” quarterback, and he’s showing no signs of stopping this season’s improbable run of answers anytime soon.
But really, there’s just one thing left about Darnold’s future: He has won the Vikings over and locked down the starting job beyond 2024 — can he add a No. 1 playoff seed and Super Bowl run to it?
Lunchbreak: The Athletic Weighs Sam Darnold Among MVP Candidates
The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski penned, “Are we sure the MVP race is over?”
Sam Darnold had just set career highs in completions (33) and passing yards (377), tossed three touchdowns and recorded his 13th game this season with a passer rating above 100, all in the process of defeating archrival Green Bay, 27-25, and positioning Minnesota to the brink of the NFC Playoffs’ No. 1 seed.
It’s irresponsible to not at the very least hold a serious discussion.
First, Krawczynski stated the obvious: Buffalo’s Josh Allen is responsible for 41 touchdowns (28 passing, 12 rushing and 1 receiving). Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson has 43 (39 passing and 4 rushing) and an NFL-best 8.8% passing touchdown percentage against a 0.9% interception rate. And Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley is 101 rushing yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s 40-year-old single-season record of 2,105 yards.
Yet, Week 18 is left – and the Vikings are playing at Detroit in one of the most significant games all-time.
Krawczynski asked (and we’re glad he did): What if Darnold is lights out in Detroit?
Well, then, it would be an error to overlook the scope of his impact.
Krawczynski wrote the following in this article:
During the Vikings nine-game winning streak, Darnold has completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,543 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. If you narrow the focus to just the last seven games, he has completed 67 percent of his throws for 2,012 yards with 18 TDs and two picks. He hasn’t been flawless, but he has been darn close. Just like he was on Sunday against the Packers.
“Outside of these walls, nobody really believed in him,” Vikings running back Aaron Jones, Sr., said. “Nobody gave him a chance. But he’s proving everybody wrong. I’m really happy for him.”
And as Krawczynski pointed out with Jones’ help: A journey that resonates.
Voters love a narrative arc with this award, and Darnold certainly has a story to sell. The former third overall pick was labeled a bust after flaming out with the Jets and Panthers. He was considered a consolation prize at best, a placeholder at worst, when the Vikings signed him to a one-year, $10 million contract in free agency. As a result, the Vikings were forecast to be languishing at the bottom of the NFC North, not in prime position for the top spot in the NFL’s toughest division with one game to go.
In conclusion, Krawczynski wrote, “MVP or no MVP, there is no diminishing this dream season for Darnold.”
Schefter expects Vikings to get calls about trading J.J. McCarthy
Sam Darnold putting himself in a position to convince the Vikings that he’s the best long-term answer at quarterback may have shifted the fate of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who was selected 10th overall by the Vikings in 2024 under the belief that he would be the franchise quarterback in Minnesota.
If the Vikings do side with Darnold and ink him to an extension, is there any chance they trade McCarthy? That’s unclear, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter fully expects the phones at TCO Performance Center in Eagan to be ringing with QB-needy teams gauging Minnesota’s interest in dealing the 21-year-old.
“In a limited quarterback draft class, where there are far more teams that need quarterbacks than quarterbacks who actually can step in right away, I definitely think teams will be checking in with the Vikings to see if they have any interest in trading J.J. McCarthy,” Schefter told Courtney Cronin on ESPN Radio.
“[The Vikings] may se we don’t and that’s the end of it, but do I think teams will explore that option that you just raised here already? Of course. Absolutely. 100 percent. Because J.J. McCarthy would’ve been a top, if not the top, quarterback prospect in this draft,” Schefter continued.
“If the Vikings decided that they wanted to trade him, which I don’t know that they will, I believe they will get back everything they put into him and then some. It will be a [first-round pick] and then some.”
5 teams who could make Vikings a godfather J.J. McCarthy trade offer they can’t refuse
5. New York Giants
The Giants have to be regretting letting running back Saquon Barkley walk in free agency and in turn signing quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year $160 million contract. Both are no longer with the team and the Giants desperately need a franchise-leading quarterback to get the team back on track.
New York probably wouldn’t want to spend the fourth overall pick to get him but instead could use the 35th overall selection as trade capital. They also currently have the 66, 102, 134, 153, 218, 245, and 256 overall picks in the draft and could use future picks as well to build a strong trade package.
4. New Orleans Saints
The Saints aren’t in the worst spot in the NFL when it comes to being a QB-needy team. Derek Carr is a good quarterback when he can stay healthy but he isn’t the long-term solution at the position for the Saints. Neither are backups Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener. Some are even speculating that Carr could retire at the end of the year.
The Saints currently own eight picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, six of which are in the first four rounds. That should be plenty enough if New Orleans decides to make McCarthy their QB1 in 2025.
2. Tennessee Titans
The Titans drafted Will Levis with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Levis has been okay at times for Tennessee but he hasn’t proved to be their franchise QB. They currently hold the second overall pick in the draft and could either decide to select a quarterback there or they could go after someone like McCarthy who has already been through the evaluation process.
1. New York Jets
The Jets are in a state of distress right now. Their Aaron Rodgers experiment isn’t working out and owner Woody Johnson is quickly losing the locker room. The Jets could decide to either draft a quarterback with their top 10 selection or they could trade for one if they decided to move on from Rodgers.
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