Grade The Minnesota Vikings As ‘Inadequate’ Following Subpar Effort Against The Rams

Opportunity is what you make of it, and the Minnesota Vikings had a major opportunity to make a statement on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. With a chance to maintain their position in the playoff structure and continue to have control of their own destiny, coach Mike Zimmer’s team played indifferent football, and lacked focus and drive when it was needed the most.

The Rams are clearly a good team and they were playing to move back into first place in the NFC West, but instead of coming out of the gate breathing a certain fire that would knock the visitors on their heels, the Vikings looked like a team that was there to punch the clock and little else.

It was apparent that the Vikings would not rip this game out of the Rams’ grasp. If they were going to win, it would because the Rams gave it to them.

That’s what almost happened, as Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions, two of which were deep in Los Angeles territory. Two of the interceptions were the results of linebacker Anthony Barr being in the right place at the right time and Xavier Woods secured the other.

But despite the gifts from Stafford, the Vikings offense did not take advantage. There was no urgency when the Vikings had the ball in the first half and early in the second even though the defense was doing a good job of slowing down the Rams.

But when Kirk Cousins and the offense finally got going the defense and the special teams stopped doing their part. It was a game the Vikings never could get a grip on, and while the Rams may have wanted to give it away, the home team was not going to take it.

Prior to this Week 16 encounter, the Vikings had held a lead in every game they played this season. While they could only come into the game with a 7-7 record, they had been able to put a scare into every team they had played. That was not the case in this crucial game.

Trailing 13-3 at the half, the Vikings were in danger at the start of the third quarter. The Rams were getting the ball in the second half, and that 10-point lead could easily have turned into a 17-points deficit. However, Stafford opened the half with an interception and the Vikings had their opportunity to get back in the game. They were unwilling to take advantage of it and went three-and-out.

But Stafford was not done and he threw his third interception on the next series. Barr picked him off at the Los Angeles 10 and returned it two yards short of the goal line. Alexander Mattison, playing for star Dalvin Cook (out due to a positive Covid-19 test), punched the ball in on the next play. Minnesota had the momentum and had cut the deficit to 13-10.

The Vikings appeared to seize control as the Rams went three-and-out, but they did not come close to a tying field goal or a go-ahead touchdown. Instead, the Vikings had their own three-and-out, and Brandon Powell of the Rams returned the ensuing punt 61 yards for a momentum altering Rams touchdown.

Shortly thereafter the Minnesota offense showed life as Cousins led a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that brought the Vikings within seven at 27-20, but that’s when the Minnesota defense spit out the bit. That unit gave up a 13-play, 69-yard drive that produced a field goal, giving the Rams a two-score lead at 30-20.

The Vikings were able to respond with a field goal, but the onsides kick attempt that followed was easily gathered in by the Rams.

Instead of coming through with an impressive and emotional win in a game the team needed desperately, Zimmer’s team ho-hummed their way through a routine defeat.

The feeling in the Minnesota lockerroom was that the defense had done its job through the majority of the game, but the offense did not do its part.

“We definitely let them down. I felt like they played a tremendous game, especially with those three turnovers. We’ve got to find a way to get in the end zone,” wide receiver Justin Jefferson said.

The Vikings defense certainly did its part in the first half and the offense came through late, but the overall combination was inadequate.

Minnesota still has some mathematical possibilities of getting into the playoffs, but they are at the mercy of teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints losing. The Vikings play the Packers on the road in Week 17 and close the season with a home game against the Bears.

It would be very Vikings-like if the team came up with a sensational effort against the Packers and swept the season series but lost to the Bears a week later.

The Vikings have played like a team that did not know how to win throughout the season. That huge hole in their game has almost certainly cost them a chance to play postseason football.