14-win The Vikings face the Rams, who defeated them in October, in the NFC wild-card game.

As the 2024 NFL season reaches its climax, the Minnesota Vikings are a team that’s ready to make a deep playoff run. With an impressive 14-win regular season under their belts, they’ve earned themselves a top seed and the respect of the league. However, despite their regular-season success, they are set to face one of their most formidable challenges in the NFC Wild-Card game: a rematch with the Los Angeles Rams, who handed the Vikings one of their rare losses earlier in the season. That loss in October, a bitter defeat that still stings, has the potential to fuel both teams as they prepare for a high-stakes playoff battle.

The Rams, a talented yet inconsistent squad throughout the regular season, proved to be a tough matchup for the Vikings back in Week 7 when they defeated Minnesota in a game that exposed weaknesses in the Vikings’ defense. Despite their regular-season success, Minnesota will need to show up with their best effort to avenge that loss and secure their spot in the next round of the playoffs. With a few months having passed since that game, the context, stakes, and intensity of this postseason clash could not be more different. The Rams are a dangerous team that will look to capitalize on their earlier victory and capitalize on the Vikings’ potential vulnerabilities, while Minnesota will rely on their resilience, talent, and determination to prove they are a true championship contender.

In this article, we’ll break down the keys to this rematch, analyze both teams’ strengths and weaknesses, examine the implications of the Vikings’ earlier loss, and consider what adjustments the Vikings will need to make in order to avoid a similar fate in the postseason. From star players to tactical changes, every detail of this game will be critical for Minnesota if they hope to continue their path to the Super Bowl.

The Vikings’ Strong Regular-Season Performance

The Vikings’ 14-win season is a testament to their strength across all areas of the team, from offense to defense to special teams. Offensively, they’ve been led by a high-powered attack that features a dynamic passing game, highlighted by Kirk Cousins’ leadership and the exceptional talents of wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. Cousins has had one of his best seasons, throwing for over 4,000 yards and a career-high in touchdown passes. Jefferson, arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, has continued to dominate defenses with his spectacular routes, hands, and playmaking ability, while Thielen’s veteran savvy has been an important complement.

On the ground, the Vikings have relied on a solid, if not spectacular, running game led by Dalvin Cook. Although Cook’s production hasn’t been as dominant as in previous seasons, he remains a vital cog in the offense, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The combination of Cook’s running ability and Cousins’ passing game has given the Vikings an offense that can attack in multiple ways.

Defensively, the Vikings’ strength has been their pass rush, with Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks all season long. Hunter, in particular, has been a force, reaching double-digit sacks and making life difficult for opposing offensive lines. Minnesota’s defense has also improved in the secondary, with cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler playing important roles in coverage. Despite some inconsistencies at times, the Vikings have shown that they can bend but not break, holding opponents to critical stops when necessary.

Overall, Minnesota’s 14-win season has been a display of balanced football, with both sides of the ball showing the potential to carry the team. The challenge now is to translate that regular-season success into a deep playoff run, starting with the high-pressure environment of a Wild-Card game against the Rams.

The Rams’ Upset Victory in October

Back in Week 7, the Vikings traveled to Los Angeles to face the Rams in what was expected to be a competitive, high-scoring game. However, the Rams surprised many by emerging victorious, handing Minnesota a 31-24 loss. In that game, the Vikings struggled to contain the Rams’ offensive weapons, while also failing to capitalize on opportunities themselves. It was a loss that, in retrospect, highlighted some of Minnesota’s potential vulnerabilities.

The Rams’ offense, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, was able to exploit the Vikings’ defense in ways that few teams had managed to do all season. Stafford, despite having a somewhat down year by his standards, found ways to connect with his star playmakers, particularly wide receiver Cooper Kupp and tight end Tyler Higbee. Kupp, one of the most dangerous wideouts in the league, torched the Vikings’ secondary for 118 yards and two touchdowns, while Higbee’s presence in the middle of the field gave Stafford a reliable target.

Additionally, the Rams’ ground game, led by Cam Akers, wasn’t overwhelming but effective enough to keep the Vikings’ defense off-balance. The Rams’ offensive line played surprisingly well, allowing Stafford time to throw and giving Akers the necessary lanes to pick up solid yards on the ground.

On the other side of the ball, the Rams’ defense was opportunistic, forcing Kirk Cousins into some uncharacteristic mistakes. The pressure from their defensive line, which features stars like Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd, disrupted the Vikings’ offensive rhythm. Donald, in particular, was a game-changer, wreaking havoc on the Vikings’ offensive line and pressuring Cousins into making ill-advised throws. The Rams’ secondary, featuring Jalen Ramsey and others, did just enough to slow down Jefferson and Thielen, allowing them to limit the Vikings’ explosive plays.

The loss was a humbling experience for Minnesota, especially given that they entered the game as favorites and had been riding high off their strong start to the season. While it was only one loss in a 14-win season, it exposed areas of vulnerability that the Vikings would need to address before the postseason.

Key Adjustments for the Vikings

As the Vikings prepare for the Wild-Card rematch against the Rams, they know they cannot afford to repeat the mistakes made earlier in the season. Minnesota’s coaching staff, led by Kevin O’Connell, will need to make several key adjustments to ensure they’re better prepared for this high-stakes game.

1. Improving Pass Protection: One of the primary issues the Vikings had in their loss to the Rams was the pressure on Kirk Cousins. Donald’s disruptive presence in the interior of the line forced Cousins to make hurried throws and took Minnesota out of their rhythm. O’Connell’s offense will need to focus on keeping Cousins clean, utilizing quick-release passes, and employing max-protect schemes to neutralize Donald. This could involve more help from tight ends and running backs in pass protection.
2. Containing Cooper Kupp: Kupp is always a threat, and his performance in the first meeting was a major factor in the Rams’ victory. The Vikings’ secondary, which has been solid throughout the season, will need to focus on limiting Kupp’s yards after the catch and preventing him from getting open on deep routes. Patrick Peterson, who has been a steady force at cornerback, will likely be tasked with shadowing Kupp. However, it will take a team effort to prevent the dynamic wideout from taking over the game.
3. Balancing the Offensive Attack: While the Vikings have an elite passing game, they cannot afford to become one-dimensional. Dalvin Cook must play a larger role in this game, both as a rusher and in the passing game. The Vikings should look to establish the run early, to not only keep the Rams’ pass rush at bay but also to create play-action opportunities for Cousins. A balanced attack will help keep the Rams’ defense guessing and prevent them from loading up against the pass.
4. Tackling and Coverage: On the defensive side, the Vikings will need to ensure that their tackling is crisp and that they don’t allow big yards after the catch. The Rams have several players, including Kupp, Akers, and Higbee, who can break tackles and turn short plays into long gains. Minnesota’s linebackers and defensive backs must stay disciplined in coverage and make sure they wrap up consistently when they have the chance to stop the ball carrier.
5. Create Turnovers: While the Rams played well in all three phases during their October victory, one area where they struggled throughout the season was ball security. The Vikings’ defense has had success creating turnovers, and they’ll need to continue that trend against Stafford, who has been prone to making mistakes under pressure. A timely interception or forced fumble could swing the momentum in Minnesota’s favor.

The Rams’ Potential for an Upset

Despite the Vikings being the favorites, the Rams are no strangers to playoff pressure and have the talent to pull off an upset. Their offense, when clicking, is capable of putting up points against anyone, and their defense, led by the incomparable Aaron Donald, can be a game-changer.

The Rams will need to continue playing well in all three phases of the game. Stafford, who has had an up-and-down season, will need to be at his best, avoiding turnovers and making smart decisions under pressure. Kupp’s ability to dominate the Vikings’ secondary will likely be a focal point of the Rams’ game plan. Meanwhile, the defense will need to find ways to neutralize Minnesota’s offensive weapons, including Jefferson and Cook, while also taking advantage of any mistakes that the Vikings make.