For the Vikings, ‘Ugly’ Works Simply Wonderful

In what could probably find yourself being a Wildcard Spherical preview, the Minnesota Vikings put away the New York Giants 27-24 on a franchise file 61-yard game-winning area gold from Greg Joseph as time expired.

Let’s not sugarcoat it. This one was ugly, perhaps Minnesota’s ugliest win in a season filled with nail-biters. However you realize what’s lovely? It doesn’t matter.

The Minnesota Vikings are 12-3, have secured a division win and residential playoff sport, and the win right this moment over the Giants moved them ever nearer to the #2 seed within the NFC, which might safe an important dwelling sport within the occasion of a Spherical 2 matchup in opposition to San Francisco.

What does right this moment’s sport inform us about this staff shifting ahead as they end the season and enter the playoffs? 

This Crew Is aware of Find out how to Win

Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports activities.

I don’t care what the analytics say, and I don’t care what historical past says. This staff is 11-0 in single-score video games, which isn’t luck.

Some say single-score video games are coin flips and that successful them constantly is due extra primarily to luck than talent. Effectively, the percentages of flipping a coin the identical manner 11 consecutive instances should not good, in truth, the percentages of that taking place is .049%.

So this Vikings staff is not only traditionally fortunate — they’re fortunate in a manner that defies logic and actuality. Or maybe they’re merely higher when the sport is shut, at their greatest after they have to be — an argument I laid out earlier this season.

For the Vikings, ‘Ugly’ Works Simply Wonderful

Within the playoffs, it’s troublesome to blow groups out. We all know this. So, it bodes properly for Minnesota that they’ve been in shut video games all season and getting back from deficits all season. All of this may pay dividends in January – and February? – when Minnesota is way more ready for playoff-type video games than some other staff within the NFL.

One other Elite Weapon Emerges

Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson. Necessary Credit score: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports activities.

On the finish of the day, you win NFL video games by successful the matchups, and right this moment proved the Vikings haven’t one however two elite matchup threats. We already knew Jefferson was nice, not simply nice however all-time nice –- he positioned his title within the file books once more, setting the Minnesota Vikings franchise data for receiving yards and receptions in a single season.

However I doubt anybody anticipated the day that TJ Hockenson tabulated — 13 catches, 109 yards, and a couple of touchdowns. That’s the statline you anticipate from Travis Kelce, George Kittle when he’s at his greatest, or prime Gronkowski. However right this moment was Hockenson’s day to place up these numbers, and boy, was it a deal with to observe.

Final week it was KJ Osborn’s flip to flash, and naturally, we all know what Dalvin Cook dinner and Adam Thielen can do. Hockenson’s efficiency right this moment proved that he may be relied on to hold the load when wanted, and it’s going to be a nightmare for defensive coordinators to gameplan for all of Minnesota’s threats within the playoffs.

Particular Groups Bounce Again

Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings punter Ryan Wright. Necessary Credit score: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports activities.

Final week’s sport in opposition to Indianapolis was a sport to neglect for Minnesota’s particular groups, however right this moment they bounced again emphatically.

Josh Metellus got here by way of with a large punt block landing that put the Vikings in prime place for his or her third landing of the sport. The punt protection was first rate, the kickoff protection was commendable, and so they made a small mistake when Jalen Nailor knocked an virtually excellent Ryan Wright punt into the endzone, however in any other case, it was a wonderful day from the protection models.

However the hero on the day, and a giant motive Minnesota celebrates the vacations with a victory, is the person of the hour, Greg Joseph. Joseph knocked in two kicks on the day, a 40-yard area purpose within the second quarter, however way more memorable was his 61-yard area purpose on the finish of the sport.

Joseph’s game-winning 61-yarder was a large kick, made extra spectacular as a result of no person anticipated him to hit it, given his inconsistencies from lengthy distance in his profession and his important struggles from past 50 this season. 

If Joseph can proceed to be constant on his kicks — and if this staff can belief him on longer kicks — it’ll assist Minnesota immensely in terms of playoff time.

What’s Subsequent?

On New 12 months’s Day subsequent week, Minnesota will journey to Lambeau Area for a rematch in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, who additionally occur to be the final staff they beat by a number of scores.

The Packers are scratching and clawing for an opportunity at a wild card berth, and Minnesota will try and crush their goals subsequent Sunday.