The Minnesota Vikings are stuck in the NFL’s version of a washing machine cycle, and the spinning doesn’t seem close to stopping. After suffering a 37-10 thrashing at the hands of the average Los Angeles Chargers, the Vikings have tumbled to the bottom of the NFC North, and any hopes of a winning record or playoff appearance are rapidly slipping away.
A well-rested Detroit Lions squad awaits in Week 9, and this matchup has the makings of a one-sided blowout. The Vikings were manhandled by the Chargers, losing the battle on both lines of scrimmage against Jim Harbaugh’s fired-up team. To make matters worse, Minnesota’s defense looked sluggish chasing quarterback Justin Herbert and unheralded running back Kimani Vidal, and the contest was effectively over by halftime.
Questions have swirled around the Vikings’ quarterback situation since the offseason decision to move on from Sam Darnold. Second-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy was envisioned as the franchise’s future, but he appeared overwhelmed in seven of the eight quarters he played against the Bears and Falcons before a high ankle sprain derailed him early in the season.
Despite head coach Kevin O’Connell’s confidence and reputation as a quarterback developer, McCarthy remains an uncertainty. He’s expected to return versus the Lions, which could prove disastrous. Detroit has a ruthless streak that allows them to dismantle opponents without a shred of mercy.
Injuries have battered the Vikings as the season nears its midpoint, but every team is hurting by now. O’Connell refuses to make excuses after losses, though that’s little relief for fans who anticipated far more following last season’s impressive 14-3 finish.
“We were outcoached and outplayed,” O’Connell admitted after falling to the Chargers. “That’s on me for not preparing the team well enough to compete. If we start looking for excuses, we’ll find them — and that’s not who we are.”
O’Connell also mentioned injuries to starting tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, as well as a broken wrist suffered by guard Donovan Jackson. Meanwhile, Carson Wentz’s left shoulder injury appeared to worsen throughout the defeat.
A share of the blame falls on ownership as well. Zygi and Mark Wilf’s decision to play consecutive international games may have boosted the Vikings’ global visibility, but it has also sapped their energy and disrupted their rhythm. Fatigue and jet lag clearly affected Minnesota’s sluggish performances against the Eagles and Chargers in recent weeks.
The Vikings now have several extra days to regroup before traveling to Ford Field in Week 9. McCarthy should be back under center if O’Connell feels comfortable, but if he struggled against the Falcons’ defense, how can he possibly survive Detroit’s?
Dan Campbell’s defense brings an unrelenting intensity — the very same that pushed Minnesota to move on from Darnold last year. That edge could again torment McCarthy if he returns to the lineup.
As the schedule unfolds, finding winnable games is becoming nearly impossible. Poor execution, mounting injuries, and opportunistic opponents exploiting Minnesota’s flaws have created a perfect storm.
Things are almost certain to deteriorate even further before they improve.
