The Minnesota Vikings closed out 2017 with another dominating performance, beating the Chicago Bears 23-10 in front of a Vikings’ home crowd. The win caps off a 13-3 season for the NFC North division champions and locked them into the NFC’s second seed and a first round bye.
It was the defense’s day to shine in this outing. They held the Bears to just 201 yards of total offense and a field goal on the day. The Bears’ lone touchdown came on a punt return.
Minnesota’s defense completely shut down Bears’ leading rusher, Jordan Howard, holding him to just nine yards on nine carries. The absence of a run game put all the pressure on Chicago’s rookie quarterback, Mitchell Trubisky, and his performance suffered. Trubisky went 20-37 for just 178 yards. He also took an intentional grounding penalty in his own end zone, resulting in a safety.
With this performance, Minnesota completed a season-long quest to finish 2017 as the NFL’s top ranked unit in both total defense and fewest points allowed. It is only the second time the franchise has accomplished that feat. In addition, they also finished at the top of the league in third down conversion defense, allowing just a 25 percent conversion rate.
Case Keenum was efficient again for the Vikings, going 21 of 29 for 189 yards and a touchdown. Despite his efficiency, his deep ball accuracy issues cropped up again. He missed on a number of long throws, but was fortunate to draw pass interference flags on a couple of them. Still, it is a problem the Vikings will now have to work to prevent opponents from exposing too often.
Stefon Diggs led all Vikings receivers with six catches for 65 yards and the touchdown. Adam Thielen also caught six passes for 61 yards.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
The Minnesota ground attack controlled much of this game. Latavius Murray led all rushers with 111 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Jerick McKinnon chipped in 44 yards on 12 carries.
This victory gives Minnesota much needed momentum heading into their Wild Card round bye week. They have won 11 of their past 12 games and are arguably the hottest team heading into the postseason.
The Vikings will now await the results of next week’s NFL Wild Card weekend. Minnestoa could face the Rams, Saints or Panthers in the Divisional Round, depending on winners of first round games. If the Atlanta Falcons win, they will automatically go to Philadelphia as they will be the lowest remaining seed in the NFC playoff race.
The Good
- The Vikings were one of just two NFC playoff teams (Atlanta being the other) to win on Sunday. The Falcons and Packers rode momentum to the conference championship game last year. After winning 11 of their past 12, could the Vikings be the next team to ride a hot streak to the Super Bowl?
- The Minnesota offense finished 2017 with their strongest season since 2009. They finished 10th in total offense, eighth in rushing, 11th in passing and 10th in scoring.
The Bad
- The Vikings had to use their seventh different offensive line combination this season. Center Pat Elflein missed the game with a shoulder injury, his second in four weeks. Left guard Nick Easton was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a fractured ankle after last weekend’s game against the Packers. With next weekend off, Elflein should greatly benefit from the extra rest. All signs point to him being prepared for the Divisional Round in two weeks.
- NFL 2022: Football Food For Thought (Wild Card Weekend)
- Giants at Vikings: Playoff Preview and Prediction
- NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Wild Card Weekend
- Listing The Best Possible Super Bowl LVII Matchups
- Giants at Vikings: Preview and Prediction
– Clayton R. Brooks II writes for Full Press Coverage and covers the Minnesota Vikings. Like and follow @ClaytonRBrooks2. Like and follow @fpc_vikings on Twitter and Full Press Vikings on Facebook.
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
-
Episode 80 Criss Partee discusses NBA trade rumorsby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 6:25 am
-
Ep. 261: Nashville Elite Owner Tahnesia Richmondby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Monday, January 30thby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:38 pm
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowlby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
-
Hawks at Blazersby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 10:30 pm
-
Raptors at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 9:30 pm
-
Pistons at Mavsby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 8:30 pm
-
Wizards at Spursby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Baylor at Texasby Broken Controller Media on January 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm