Besvikelse: The Biggest Letdown in NFL Playoff History

In 2024, the Minnesota Vikings caught lightning in a bottle by stunning the NFL in using a well-constructed offense and a stout defense that accounted for a 14-3 record. They used a script that the 1999 Rams had when their first-round pick, JJ McCarthy, suffered a season ending knee injury and they had to insert journeyman Sam Darnold in. What happened next is Kurt Warner-esque. Darnold went on to become one of the best quarterbacks in the league with a stat line that made fantasy football owners salivate (4319 yards, 35 TD's, 12 INT's, 102.5 rating). Stacked with talent around him as running back Aaron Jones, receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and tight end TJ Hockenson, the Vikings were able to use that to soar to the near top of the NFC. Their defense was solid as their celebrations after an interception, or a touchdown were YouTube worthy.

In Week 18, Minnesota headed to Ford Field to face their division rival, the Lions, for the division title and home-field throughout the NFC playoffs. This could have the Vikings taking the route of the 1999 Rams and everything will be roses.......

Ooooohhhhh, wow, Detroit shut the door on that notion real quick. After the game, cameras picked up Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell shaking Lions head coach Dan Campbell's hand and telling him, "See you in two weeks." Heading into the wild card game, Minnesota had some people questioning them as they faced a team and franchise who was playing for their city and the area. You don't think the Rams heard that and posted it on a bulletin board?

In two games, the Vikings were cut down to size by the two teams that beat them all season, getting outscored 58-18 in the process. This has to go down as the greatest letdown in NFL playoff history. Sure, there were teams that are in that conversation, but no team had 14 regular season wins and was eliminated in the wild card, until the Vikings accomplished that feat. It adds to another chapter in a big book of playoff heartbreak for this franchise. How could this have happened?

Okay, let's start right off the bat with something I wrote in September on the Facebook page, and I still stand by what I said.

Yep, many thought that Darnold was going to be another Kurt Warner success story. He had an incredible 2024 that will likely net him the Comeback Player of the Year and that will net him some likely suitors and some cash in the off-season. The Vikings were able to maximize his talent after the McCarthy injury. However, many thought that this season was finally the one where Darnold reached his potential. Many also expected the Vikings to sign him to a long-term extension, despite having used their first-round pick at quarterback. Well, after the two losses, everyone was up-and-at em' to toss Sam under the bus. They said that he lost a lot of money due to that. I see Darnold's situation as what happened to Nick Foles in 2017-2018. He led the Eagles to a Super Bowl title and parlayed that with a huge contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which ended in a disaster. Everyone drank the Kool-Aid there, despite this guy (me) hoping that he can have a great career going forward at age 27.

While everyone is piling it on the Darn Man, there is other reasons why the Vikings are sitting at home.

As a head coach, Kevin O'Connell has seen success in three seasons (34-17, 66.7% winning percentage) as he and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah built a foundation that could lead Minnesota to the promised land one day. If there is one issue that needs to be improved is O'Connell changing up game plans, especially against the teams who defeated you this season. Like the only two teams that defeated you and ended your season. The Lions game would have been the opportunity to do that. With the Rams, it was obvious that Sean McVay was one step ahead of O'Connell since Kevin used to be an assistant to McVay. Hopefully, this can be addressed.

I like Aaron Jones, but I think getting a younger running back could help him. The receivers are good but could do better in clutch situations.

The defense was a beacon of hope for the Vikings in 2024. Despite being young, they were able to make plays, which led to their noteworthy celebrations afterwards. This is where making adjustments is key. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who is probably in line for a head coaching gig, could have made these adjustments considering they were playing the two teams that beat them throughout the season. That didn't happen as Detroit and L.A. used their blend of pass and run to stymie Minnesota's D. In the two most important games of the season, the defense lacked that playmaking ability that caused them to refrain from celebrating.

Okay, so everyone has been throwing darts and putting salt on the wound when it comes to Sam Darnold, but he shouldn't get all of the fault.

The offensive line was the catalyst to the Vikings' downfall. They allowed nine sacks against the Rams as if the spirit of Aaron Donald entered the bodies of L.A' s defensive unit. People tend to forget that Sam Darnold doesn't have Michael Vick's speed, Lamar Jackson's elusiveness or the quick release of Dan Marino, so anyone trying to sign him, you better have a good offensive line or be willing to invest in one. Now I see why the Jaguars traded Cam Robinson, he was awful in the Rams game. Also, the Detroit contest was worse. Both teams took advantage of this and dominated with a strong pass rush and an even stronger run stoppage. Aaron Jones couldn't find lanes to run through. Seriously, how has this unit escaped the wrath of fans?

After Monday's game, the Vikings and their fans are headed into another off-season after another season of false hope and letdown. Better save the chant of Skol until next season begins.

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