A trip to SoFi Stadium after losing to the Lions … is this déjà vu?

No, it's a chance at redemption.

ESPN team reporters, analytics writer Seth Walder, and Ben Solak provided the lowdown on the 14 teams embarking on playoff runs, sizing up strengths and weaknesses and heat checks on a scale of 1-10.

We're focused on the Vikings-Rams matchup that ends Wild Card Weekend on Monday night.

First things first, a slice of trivial history: Minnesota hasn't met the Rams in the postseason since the 1999 Divisional Round (Jan. 16, 2000), when the Vikings were outscored, 49-37, by the formerly St. Louis-based franchise.

OK, diving into the pertinent stuff now.

Kevin Seifert identified Minnesota's "balance" as its reason for hope entering the tournament:

The Vikings can win in a variety of ways, as their offense and defense each rank among the NFL's top 10 in scoring. That increases the number of ways they can earn a playoff win. It could come via a big passing day from quarterback Sam Darnold to receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Or the defense could carry the team with a series of well-timed takeaways, after tying for first in the league with 33. In other words, it would take an all-22 effort from an opponent to knock Minnesota from the postseason.

Although its nine-game win streak was just snapped, Minnesota ought to feel good about its play in key areas – the Vikings rushed for 120 yards, their most in a game since Week 12, and forced two turnovers.

About Darnold, who posted the No. 6 passer rating (102.5) in the NFL in spite of a 55.5 rating in Week 18 at Detroit, and ranked fifth with 35 touchdown throws, Walder emphasized his completion percentage over expectation this season. Entering Sunday Night Football, it was the sixth-highest, at 3.2%, per NFL Next Gen Stats – a handsome improvement from his minus-2.0% completion percentage over expectation in his first six seasons. Walder indicated it's the result of strong receivers and better accuracy from Darnold.

Obviously, there's reason for caution or concern, too, (for every club) as playoffs begin.

Seifert addressed that by underlining the recent slide of a player instrumental to Minnesota's success.

[Will] Reichard opened the season by converting his first 14 field goal attempts before suffering a quadriceps injury. Since then, he's made 10 of 16 kicks. The Vikings still have full confidence in Reichard and don't believe that he is having any lingering effects from his injury. But taking a rookie kicker into the playoffs can be nerve-racking, especially when he enters the postseason in a bit of a slump.

For what it's worth, rookie kickers playing in road Wild Card games are 13-for-16 on field goal attempts (81.3%) all-time. That includes Blair Walsh's 33-yard boot in a 24-10 loss at the Packers on Jan. 5, 2013.

Reichard was 2-for-2, with 23- and 35-yard field goals in the Week 8 contest at Los Angeles.

In conclusion, Solak awarded the Vikings a 7 on the heat check index (and gave the Rams a 4).

A 10 was achievable, Solak said, if Minnesota handled its business at Ford Field. But nevertheless, he'd back the Vikings winning three playoff games in a row on the road, if need be. Seven is lucky in our book!

Vikings ownership appreciates 20 seasons of stewardship

Behind the scenes of every great sports team is an ownership committed to its coaches, players and fans.

Such is the case with the Vikings.

Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune went in-depth this weekend on the impact made by the Wilf family, which purchased the franchise in 2005, has invested in state-of-the-art facilities, backed community causes, connected with what's important to the fanbase and just completed its 20^th regular season.

"If the Minnesotans and the Wilfs stay as close as they seem to be," retired U.S. Bank CEO Richard Davis said to Goessling, "this franchise can be owned and located in Minnesota for as long as you can see."

To help capture the Wilf family's connectedness with the state and its stewardship of the franchise, Goessling shared insights from beloved former linebacker Chad Greenway, Pro Football Hall of Famers Alan Page and Cris Carter, and safety Harrison Smith, who's in his 13^th season and a great spokesperson for the Wilf's tenure.

Goessling also examined the Wilfs' involvement in football decisions, such as the signing of free agents and hiring of leaders like General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell.

Goessling wrote the following:

The questions they ask before a move is made, Mark Wilf said, are the same ones a reporter or fan might ask afterward. "We really probe to make sure they're looking at all the perspectives, understand their logic, and then we'll bless it," he said.

Often, they will do so with cash that exceeds the NFL's salary cap, enabling the Vikings to acquire more talent by using signing bonuses amortized over multiple years.

"It's a competitive advantage. There's no question," Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski said. "We take a lot of pride in our budget and the way we plan, so we're not surprising them. But there are times when unique opportunities present themselves. If we think it's a good decision and it gives us a chance to win, they always support it."

The results have earned praises.

"They run the team like it's a family business. They invest in their best players. They're trying to build up the Minnesota Vikings," Carter, the Gold Jacket WR, told Goessling. "Every dancer needs a stage; U.S. Bank Stadium is it. I mean, they built a little city [around the practice facility]. The more we watch, the more we find out we have one of the best [head coaches] in the league. They're doing an amazing job."

Read Goessling's full article here.

Enter to win a trip to the playoffs

Interested in a prize of four game tickets, flights provided by Delta and hotel accommodations?

Download the Vikings app, log in to participate in "Vikings Drops" and turn on push notifications to be alerted when the drop starts and winners for each round of the playoff run are selected. It's that simple.

In addition to a set of four tickets to Vikings playoff games, winners will receive $3,000 Delta gift cards and $2,000 Marriott gift cards. More information on the giveaways is available at the links below:

Visit the Vikings Playoffs Home Page

Download the Vikings App