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 163: Week 13 Studs and Duds
by Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 8:30 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.
- Chiefs Vs Vikings: Headlines, Trends To Monitor
- Why Chiefs Defensive Line Could Determine Game Vs Vikings
- How Aggressive Will Vikings Be Vs Patrick Mahomes?
- Handicapping Hal’s Week Two NFL Picks
- Handicapping Hal’s Week One NFL Picks
– 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 181: HOF Semifinalist Tiki Barber Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 3:13 am
Hall of Fame semifinalist and former Giants running back, Tiki Barber, […]
-
Ep 180: Hall of Fame Class Of 2024 Semifinalists Discussionby Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Ira and Clark dissect the 2024 Hall of Fame class semifinalists. Learn […]
-
Ep 179: Hall of Famer Drew Pearson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Hall of Fame wide receiver Drew Pearson returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 178: Patriots, Eagles, 49ers, and More With Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on November 18, 2023 at 3:00 am
Former NFL executive Joe Banner returns to the show to talk with Clark and […]
-
NFL Week 14 Game Previewsby LandryFootball.com on December 9, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Several Week 14 games could be impacted by weather, which has been […]
-
Assessing the NFL Playoff Picture heading into week 14by LandryFootball.com on December 9, 2023 at 12:00 am
The Jaguars had a chance to seize control of the top spot in the AFC, […]
-
Ep 317: Week 14 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 4:04 am
-
Ep 316: Week 13 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 4:08 am
-
Ep 315: Week 12 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 3:46 am
-
Ep 314: Week 11 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 15, 2023 at 3:18 am
-
Ep 200: Week 14 @ Giantsby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 9:54 pm
In this solo Senra show, your host Kyle Senra talks about the upcoming […]
-
Ep 199: Week 13 Instant Reactionsby Full Press Coverage on December 4, 2023 at 11:32 pm
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-
Full Press Islanders - 12-8 - Big win over Columbusby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 5:00 pm
A different ending as the Blue Jackets gave us all a scare but the Isles […]
-
Full Press Wild - 12-8 - Recapping the Wild shutout loss to the Canucks.by Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Loss, Vancouver, shutout, win streak broken. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 12-8 - home loss, New Jersey, Evans debutby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Recapping the home loss to the Devils. Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 12-8 - The Hurricanes Lose the Shutout, the 2-0 Lead in the Third Period, & Ultimately, the Game.by Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Calgary dug themselves a two-goal deficit in the 1st period, but answered […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 12-8 - The Blackhawks finally get in the win columnby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Recapping the Chicago Blackhawks’ win against the Anaheim Ducks, Connor […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 832by Charlie Saunier on December 8, 2023 at 9:11 am
Ep 832 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 5-1 Vs Bolts Preview Leafs & Talk […]
-
12/8 - Patriots Outlast Steelers, Week 14 Picks and Previewby Full Press Coverage on December 9, 2023 at 5:57 am
Ian and John react to the Patriots win over the Steelers, Belichick's […]
-
12/5 - MNF Reaction, Endless QB Debatesby Full Press Coverage on December 5, 2023 at 11:28 am
Ian and John discuss the Bengals OT victory over the Jags and more […]
-
12/4 - Chiefs/Packers, Patriots, and Week 13 Reactionsby Full Press Coverage on December 4, 2023 at 5:26 pm
Ian and John discuss the Packers win over the Chiefs, the Patriots […]
-
12/1 - NFL MVP, Week 13 Picksby Full Press Coverage on December 3, 2023 at 2:18 am
Ian and John discuss the ever-changing MVP race and give their predictions […]
-
11/28 - MNF Reaction, State Of The NFLby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2023 at 3:49 am
Ian and John react to Monday Night Football and discuss more of the state […]
-
11/27 - Thanksgiving Recap; Jalen Hurts, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Ian and John recap Thanksgiving weekend, discuss Jalen Hurts' moment, and […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Ep 194: Kevin Nash Part One - Big Daddy Coolby Full Press Coverage on December 9, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Pacers vs Lakersby Broken Controller Media on December 9, 2023 at 11:00 am
-
12/8 - Patriots Outlast Steelers, Week 14 Picks and Previewby Full Press Coverage on December 9, 2023 at 5:57 am
-
Ep 200: Week 14 @ Giantsby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 9:54 pm
-
Full Press MMA - 12-8 - The New Irish Prime Minister?by Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2023 at 5:55 pm
-
Rockets at Nuggets - Mavericks at Trail Blazers - Clippers at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on December 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Cavaliers at Heat - Bulls at Spurs - Kings at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on December 8, 2023 at 3:15 pm
-
Knicks at Celtics - Warriors at Thunder - Timberwolves at Grizzliesby Broken Controller Media on December 8, 2023 at 2:15 pm
-
Hawks at 76ers - Pistons at Magic - Raptors at Hornets - Wizards at Netsby Broken Controller Media on December 8, 2023 at 1:40 pm
-
CM Punk and Randy Orton Return To WWE as Momentum Swingsby Full Press Coverage on December 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they discuss […]
-
AEW Full Gear 2023 Review and Roman Reigns Inflated Title Streakby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again as he breaks down AEW Full Gear 2023. What […]
-
Ep 194: Kevin Nash Part One - Big Daddy Coolby Full Press Coverage on December 9, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Kevin Nash had quite a journey to the NWO. In part one of our two-part […]