Tag: Harrison Smith

Vikings 53-man roster, elevation-eligible players vs Lions in Week 18

The Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster has seen some significant changes since their first meeting with the Detroit Lions.

The end of the 2023 NFL season is upon us and Sunday afternoon could spell the end of the Minnesota Vikings season. They only have a 3% chance to make the playoffs after losing their last three games and six of their last seven.

The Vikings had a chance to control their own destiny on multiple occasions but couldn’t make it happen for a myriad of reasons. With the final game coming against a Detroit Lions team that is still raging after feeling screwed against the Dallas Cowboys, their road to the playoffs has become that much more difficult.

Ahead of Sunday’s game,

Vikings final Week 18 injury report analysis: 6 players out

Brian O’Neill is among six Vikings out on Sunday afternoon against the Lions

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on their NFC North division rival Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon in their likely final game of the season.

Ahead on Sunday’s game, the Vikings released their final injury report on Friday afternoon. Here is everything you need to know.

Vikings vs. Lions: 4 defensive keys for week 18

In what could be the final game for Brian Flores as a Viking, here are four keys to success for the Minnesota defense.

The Minnesota Vikings are guaranteed one more game in the 2023 season, and it will be played on Sunday at Ford Field at noon CST.

These last two weeks for the Vikings have been ones to forget. Getting throttled by these same Lions and embarrassed in a pivotal primetime matchup against the Green Bay Packers in back-to-back weeks was not an ideal end to 2023.

It’s 2024 now. The calendar has flipped, and the possibilities are endless. Except for the possibility of Minnesota getting into the playoffs, that ends at around 3%, depending on what simulator you use.

If Minnesota wants to try to cash in on those small odds, they must stop this Lions offense that has been rolling as of late. They scored the sixth-most points, gained the sixth-most yards per play, and were fifth in total yards in December.

Minnesota’s defense, other than their 3-0 slobber knocker against the Las Vegas Raiders, has been a dumpster fire. Since week 15, Minnesota has been second-to-last in EPA/play allowed and dead last in defensive success rate. Teams have been able to get whatever they want against the Vikings, especially through the air. They are third-worst in EPA/dropback and dead last in defensive success rate on dropbacks in that same span.

Whatever the answer may be, they need to find it fast if they want a shot at slipping into the playoffs. Here are four potential answers that they could administer to slow down this Lions’ attack.

Vikings vs. Lions: 4 players to watch in Week 18

From Jordan Addison to Harrison Smith, these are the players to watch on Sunday vs. the Lions

The end of the 2023 NFL season is upon us and Sunday afternoon could spell the end of the Minnesota Vikings season. They only have a 3% chance to make the playoffs after losing their last three games and six of their last seven.

The Vikings had a chance to control their own destiny on multiple occasions but couldn’t make it happen for a myriad of reasons. With the final game coming against a Detroit Lions team that is still raging after feeling screwed against the Dallas Cowboys, their road to the playoffs has become that much more difficult.

Ahead of Sunday’s game, our staff identified four players to watch against the Lions.

Zulgad: Time to move on? A look at 5 Vikings who might be playing their final game in purple

Judd Zulgad looks at 5 Vikings who might be playing their final game in purple

The Minnesota Vikings’ losing streak is at three and their playoff hopes are on life support entering the final weekend of the regular season.

That means Sunday’s game in Detroit likely will mark the final time several players on the roster will be wearing a Vikings uniform.[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]

Here’s a look at five players who are candidates to move on. (All five are currently playing, so a guy on injured reserve, such as Kirk Cousins, isn’t included in this mix.)

Two Vikings make the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl, six are alternates

Two players will represent the Minnesota Vikings at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games while six others were honored as alternates.

The NFL recently unveiled their 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games with the following Minnesota Vikings making the cut:

  • OLB Danielle Hunter
  • LS Andrew DePaola

The Vikings also have six alternates, ranging from first to fourth at their respective positions.

The number of players may seem lower than usual, especially with wide receiver Justin Jefferson not being a part of the festivities due to injury. However, the Vikings are well-represented in that those who were selected, alternate or otherwise, certainly deserved it.

Here are the 2024 representatives (and alternates) for your Vikings.

Vikings release first injury report for Week 18 vs. Lions

The Minnesota Vikings released their first injury report on Wednesday afternoon and it has nine players on it.

The Minnesota Vikings released their first injury report ahead of their week 18 matchup against the Detroit Lions and it has nine players on it.

  • CB Byron Murphy Jr. (knee): Did not practice
  • WR Jalen Nailor (concussion): Did not practice
  • RT Brian O’Neill (ankle): Did not practice
  • DE Jaquelin Roy (ankle): Did not practice
  • CB Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder): Limited
  • RG Ed Ingram (shoulder): Limited
  • S Theo Jackson (toe): Limited
  • TE Nick Muse (knee): Limited
  • S Harrison Smith (shoulder): Limited

Once again, both Murphy and Nailor didn’t practice. They have missed the last two and three games, respectively, due to injury. O’Neill being on the report is likey due to wanting to rest his injured ankle, as he already played last week against the Green Bay Packers.

Muse, Smith and Ingram are all new additions to the report. Ingram left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. The progress throughout the week will determine whether or not they play on Sunday.

[lawrence-related id=88792,88790,88786,88781,87195,88730,88731]

Vikings vs. Packers: Defensive PFF grades in 33-10 loss

The PFF grades on defense reflect how poorly the unit played, especially in the tackling department

Dealing with a loss is never fun, but dealing with a loss to your biggest rival is significantly worse, especially when it ends a calendar year.

The Minnesota Vikings are dealing with just that, as they lost to the Green Bay Packers by a score of 33-10. It was a brutal one for multiple reasons and it started with the poor play from the entire team. Pair that with the coaching staff not having this team ready to go and you have a loss that essentially knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs.

Nevertheless, there is still a small modicum of hope for the Vikings to make the playoffs. If they want to make it, they are going to have to show massive improvement.

The Pro Football Focus grades on defense are out and don’t reflect well on what was a really good unit.

Vikings defensive PFF grades in Week 16 loss vs. Lions

The Vikings had some of the worst tackling grades this season

The Minnesota Vikings are now on the outside looking in for a playoff spot heading into week 17 after losing a 30-24 heartbreaker to the Detroit Lions.

The defense had moments of success but their lack of effort tackling paired with injuries that hindered the unit ended up making things way worse.

The grades from Pro Football Focus are out from Sunday’s game and they reflect just as poorly on the defense as you might expect.

Vikings vs. Lions: 4 defensive keys in week 16

These keys on defense are pivotal for a Vikings win in week 16

The Minnesota Vikings return to U.S. Bank Stadium this week to start a three-game stretch to decide their playoff future. First up, the first of two duels against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions.

The Lions have been near the top of the NFC since the beginning of the season. They had their slip-ups, but at 10-4, they have firm control of the NFC North and are setting their sights on the coveted number-one seed and that first-round bye. Their offense has been outstanding this season, ranking fifth in points and third in total yards behind a balanced attack.

Before Saturday, the Vikings defense was on a tear. They allowed 20+ points only twice in eight games, including an exemplary 3-0 shutout win against the Las Vegas Raiders. The same Raiders that came back and put up 63 points on the Los Angeles Chargers four days later.

On Saturday, that all changed as former Viking Jake Browning lit up the Vikings’ defense for 324 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins shined brightest when Ja’Marr Chase left early with a shoulder injury. Higgins caught four of his eight targets for 61 yards and two touchdowns, including a sensational highlight over Akayleb Evans.

As this defense licks their wounds, they need to regroup fast against one of the top offenses in the game today. To do that, they must follow these four keys to limit this Detroit offense.