RECAP: GB Defeats MIN 33-10; Vikings Unlikely Path to Playoffs

VIKINGS PLAYOFF CHANCES SLIM AFTER SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL LOSS TO PACKERS.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KVRR)–The 2023 Border Battle part two went the way of the Green Bay Packers by a score of 33 to 10 on Sunday night.

Jaren Hall, the 5th-round rookie Quarterback out of BYU got his second career start in a game where if the Vikings win, they re-insert themselves into the third wildcard spot.

But the rookie looked like a rookie. An early first quarter interception set up Green Bay to score their first touchdown of the game on a 33-yard pitch and catch from Jordan Love to Jayden Reed for a 10-0 Pack lead. Near the end of the half, the Vikes trailed 17-3 and Hall fumbled while trying to go down field and the Packers turned that turnover into another touchdown to lead 23-3 at the half. Hall finished the half 5-for-10 through the air, an interception and a fumble.

The Vikes turned to Nick Mullens in the second half who started each of the last two games but was benched due to turnovers. Mullens finished the half 13-for-22 for 113 yards and a touchdown pass.

Jaren Hall said after the game he would have benched himself with how he played.

“Just not great football [and] not great execution,” said Hall. “When you play that poorly, [getting benched] is gonna happen. So no frustration [with] the decision. You got to do what’s best for the team and I wasn’t giving us a chance. If I was a coach, I would have made the same decision, so that’s the bottom line.”

Nick Mullens said he mentally prepared to play all week and was ready to take over the offense in the second half.

“Whenever your name is called, just got operate the offense and move the offense and just do whatever your task is,” said Mullens. “My name was called I was ready to go and did the best I could. I thought the guys battled really hard. It’s not an easy situation. Not an ideal situation. But I was proud of the way that we fought.”

Taking a look at the playoff picture heading into week 18, here is what Minnesota needs to have happen to make the postseason:

It starts by winning their noon kickoff game against the Detroit Lions.

They would then need the Chicago Bears to defeat the Green Bay Packers who sit in that third wildcard spot after Sunday night’s win.

The Arizona Cardinals will need to defeat the Seattle Seahawks.

Either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints to lose their Week 18 game.

The mood in the lockeroom after Sunday Nights loss was that the team has to put their faith in themselves, and live with whatever happens.

“It’s definitely easier said than done,” said rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. “We have to put our faith in our team and guys and see what happens.”

Defensive Lineman Harrison Phillips says this Vikings team has built a foundation and their focus will be to take care of their business in Week 18 vs. Detroit.

“We got to prepare for any football game the way that we have all year and ensure that we trust and rely on one another,” said Phillips. “I don’t have any fears or any concerns that we’re going to have guys that are worried about the postseason or booking flights. That’s not the locker room that these guys built here. And guys are going to come to work. We’ll come in … and try to get things back right.”

So, in week 18, Minnesota Vikings fans will have to share their fandom across multiple teams throughout the NFL, but as the saying goes:

“So you’re telling me there’s a chance.”