Sometimes, a win in the National Football League just hits a bit different than others do. For Minnesota Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill, it meant just a little more.
In speaking to reporters after the game, O’Neill was excited about the win and directly referenced the 27-10 playoff loss to the 49ers in the 2019 divisional round.
“A lot of us were here when they put it on us in the playoffs,” O’Neill said. “It felt good to get that one back. I felt like they talked a little bit too much when we played them in training camp last year — some late hits on our guys, trying to play the bully ball. You meet the bully in the middle schoolyard, and you hash it out. That’s what we did.”
The Vikings didn’t just win the game, they dominated in the trenches. O’Neill and left tackle Christian Darrisaw stood out as the Vikings held the 49ers to a 25% pressure rate per ESPN Stats and Info.
The Vikings saved their season, and it has rejuvenated the locker room.
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