The Minnesota Vikings 2023 season is practically done just like that. The loss to the Detroit Lions last week eliminated any chance of winning the NFC North. After falling to the Green Bay Packers 33-10 on Sunday Night Football this week, the Vikings are virtually out of the NFC playoff picture.
Minnesota isn’t ruled out mathematically. Though it’s unlikely, there is still a chance that they will advance to the playoffs. Minnesota would need to defeat the Lions the following week. The following would also need to occur.
Although not unfeasible, a playoff berth is now extremely unlikely following the loss. But after losing Kirk Cousins for the season and the quarterback carousel that ensued, Minnesota’s position in this game was extremely unlikely.
The Vikings’ eventual collapse was greatly influenced by that carousel, as starting quarterback Jaren Hall was benched in favor of former starter Nick Mullens. A small spark was lit by the move, but not nearly enough, as Minnesota was thoroughly outplayed at home by their division rival. The good, bad, and ugly from a lackluster Sunday Night Football performance are listed below.
Everything about this game was disappointing. It was difficult to find many advantages on either side of the ball. It was mostly impossible for the offense to get anything going, regardless of the quarterback. Mullens improved the offense’s movement a little bit, but not enough to change the outcome.
Conversely, the Vikings’ defense, which has been a strong suit all season, was unable to thwart the Packers’ offensive assault. Jordan Love, the quarterback, was finding open receivers with seemingly every pass attempt as he was throwing the ball all over the field. The Vikings rush defense did not fare any better, giving up big plays to Aaron Jones the entire evening and giving up to A.J. Dillon’s bullying.
