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The Vikings have won 14 games in a regular season for the second time in franchise history thanks to Sunday's 27-25 victory over the Packers.

That win set the stage for a Week 18 Sunday Night Football showdown at Detroit to decide the NFC North in the NFL's 272^nd and final regular-season game of 2024.

Minnesota won its ninth consecutive game, accomplishing something that even the 15-1 team from 1998 did not achieve, although that squad did put together a run of seven and another run of eight.

The Vikings led 27-10 with 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter and withstood a furious rally in the fourth quarter. Minnesota's defense was dominant through the first three quarters and finished with only 271 net yards allowed, the fewest tallied by Green Bay all season.

Sam Darnold improved to 14-2 as Minnesota's starter, setting a record for victories in a first season as a team's starting QB (since 1950). He topped 13 by Peyton Manning (2012 with Denver) and the late Steve McNair (2006 with Baltimore). The NFL instituted a 14-game schedule in 1961 when the Vikings played their inaugural season.

Darnold threw for a career-high 377 yards and added three more touchdown passes, bringing his season total to 35, a record for a first-year Viking (Brett Favre had 33 in 2009). He became the fifth veteran QB in NFL history to throw 35+ TD passes after starting one or fewer games in the prior season, joining Patrick Mahomes, Kurt Warner, Andrew Luck and Manning (thanks to NFL Media Research for doing the lifting on that one).

Darnold "soaked" in the moment after that one and received one of the individual game balls presented by Head Coach Kevin O'Connell.

Aaron Jones, Sr., surpassed 7,000 career rushing yards against his former team, becoming the 69^th player all-time to reach that threshold before leaving the game with a quadriceps contusion. He totaled 47 yards on 12 carries and was oh-so-close to springing a couple more for larger gains while also posting 30 receiving yards on four catches.

He got a game ball, as well as Darnold, Jalen Nailor (five catches for 81 yards, highlighted by Minnesota's first touchdown), Cam Akers (more on him below), Jerry Tillery (clutch forced fumble recovered by Camryn Bynum on Green Bay's opening drive) and Minnesota native Blake Cashman, who led all players with 11 tackles and posted his first career game with more than one sack (1.5 to bring his career total to 10).

O'Connell prefaced those individual distributions by announcing that everyone in the locker room would receive a game ball.

Here was O'Connell's speech with Darnold's dousing and the game ball distributions.

Yesterday happened to be the 50^th anniversary of the Vikings winning the 1974 NFC Championship to advance to Super Bowl IX.

And today is Jim Marshall's 87^th birthday. I'm pretty sure our recurring readers know how much "The Captain" means to the Vikings organization and would join in sending wishes for a wonderful day to the Ironman who started all 270 regular-season games and 19 postseason games for Minnesota from 1961-79. He was so instrumental in changing an expansion team into a formidable force.

I absolutely love this Vikings team this year! I'm incredibly proud of all personnel from the top down. They continue to show that they believe in themselves and have the grit and determination to get the job done no matter what adversity they face. This team has been fun to watch this season, and I hope they can continue to take care of business down the stretch. I feel that the continued positivity and leadership from Coach O'Connell has been so impactful to the success of this team. I appreciate the mentality of the "1-0" concept and taking things a week at a time. Sam Darnold has had an incredible season, and it's great seeing his confidence continue to grow, as well as the special team chemistry he has with the players. Looking forward to the NFC North showdown with the Lions next week. Skol!

— Matt J. from Waseca, Minnesota

O'Connell improved to 34-16 through his first 50 regular-season games, and that included the first Vikings in-season sweep of the Packers since 2017 (and first since 2009 when Green Bay had its starting QB for both games).

The final scores tightened up quite a bit, narrowing to 2-point victories each time, but out of 120 minutes in Border Battles this season, the Vikings led 98 minutes and 45 seconds and trailed for 4:55.

Entering the Week 17 game, Minnesota had trailed the least time of any team (2 hours, 40 minutes, 18 seconds), followed by the Commanders (3:39:17), Packers (3:44:09) and Lions (3:46:48).

That's good coaching and good execution against another team with double-digit victories that's also heading to the playoffs.

There's a consistent confidence without the pitfall of arrogance that seems to be on display, helping facilitate calmness when scores tighten and plays need to be made.

The "play style" philosophy, along with the SKOL Drumbeat of 1-0, could be chalked up as coachspeak, but the authenticity between coaches and teammates with the understanding that each person can add value by doing his job.

Darnold said the 1-0 mantra is expanding in the community.

"Random people will come up to me, 'Hey, we're 1-0 this week, man. Just keep going. I see you guys. I see you.' It's awesome, man, just the way the entire community has embraced this team and just our mindset with everything," Darnold said. "It's pretty special."

Biggest game between the Vikings & Packers here since the season opener and first game at U.S. Bank Stadium that we won in 2016 — and christened our new home! The Packers make it interesting again at the end. The offense won this game with that late first down to Akers. Our defense was on point most all game, except for allowing them back in the game in the fourth quarter. Too bad Sam threw that third quarter pick, but what an answering TD by Sam and the offense. Wow! Beautiful pass protection all game, too. Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game.

UPS:

1. Opening possession of the game forced fumble and recovery by the Vikings defense. Nicely done.

2. Our second quarter play was great.

The Vikings controlled the end of the first half and mounted a beautiful TD drive to open the third quarter — fun to watch. We scored, burned the clock and ended or took away Packer scoring opportunities at the end of the half. Just great.

3. Beautiful answering TD drive at the end of the third quarter after Sam's pick. Huge!

DOWNS:

1. Our early missed 57-yard FG sets Packers up with really good field position. Vikings with a second-and-3 at the outside edge of FG range becomes a fourth-and-3 and a missed long FG attempt — so disappointing. And the Packers took advantage of it.

2. Sam's interception. Poor decision to throw it.

3. Reichard's missed FG in the fourth quarter. That miss was a 43-yarder? That won't work against the Lions or in the Playoffs.

What a great battle. Glad we pulled it out. Looking forward to the Lions.

Respectfully,

— Jeff Ludwig

Those of us who haven't rocketed a football to a spot before the receiver even enters the open zone will never understand exactly what it feels like or what Darnold needed to do to get the ball over the edge defender to Akers, who came through in the clutch.

"That ball felt like it was in the air for absolutely ever. Sam threw a lot of balls tonight, and that one probably stressed me out the most out of his 43 attempts," O'Connell said. "But what a play by Cam Akers. To say what that guy has been through [overcoming two Achilles injuries], I hope fans understand just how significant what he's been through has been and how he wanted to be a Minnesota Viking and made the play when we absolutely needed it, in addition to catching the touchdown on that screen."

If you missed last week's Water Break with Cam, please check it out here.

Dan Orlovsky posted a cool breakdown of Akers' touchdown, also pointing out the attention to detail that O'Connell and his staff place in designing and calling plays.

Darnold's bounce back from the interception was impressive. He went 5-for-5 with 55 yards on the following possession. I've mentioned it before, but his resilience in those moments goes all the way back to what he showed in his first days with the Vikings and facing Minnesota's defense, which has proven to be one of the best in the league.

One week after the "middle 8" of the game at Seattle was less than ideal, the Vikings were able to double dip with a field goal as the first half expired and a touchdown drive to open the second half, turning a 10-3 edge into a 20-3 margin.

Will Reichard had an up-and-down day. His first field goal attempt was 57 yards and was inches from going in. It hit the crossbar and bounced back to the field instead of through the uprights. He then made all three extra points, as well as a 25-yarder and a 50-yarder (after a penalty was called against Green Bay on an errant 55-yard attempt just before halftime). But Reichard also hit the left upright on a 43-yard attempt in the fourth quarter that would have made it 30-10.

This is my first time writing in, so this is going to be all over the place. Born in MN and been a fan my whole life. I got to see Kirby Puckett and Herschel Walker play at the Metrodome growing up. I now live in South Carolina, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Anytime we play down here, I get tickets. I remember, four maybe five years ago we took over that stadium. The only thing louder was the PA system, but not by much. We did the SKOL Chant, and it felt like it was a home game. Leaving the stadium, it was a sea of Purple.

A close friend (Lions fan) and I, before preseason, were talking about winners and losers. We both decided that it was going to come down to the Vikings/Lions game at the end of the season to determine who was going to be No. 1 in the NFC.

We have a lot of talent on our team right now. It's fantastic to have superstars on the team, but what stands out to me the most is that the team is playing like a team.

It could be easy for Addison, Hockenson, Jones, etc... to have the attitude, "Give me the ball EVERYTIME," because they're great players. Not to take away from them, but "Jets" is an elite player, and he still he doesn't have the attitude of, "Give the ball to me only." To see everyone working together and making things happen is fantastic. Nailor was on fire today, so feed him the ball.

We have something special right now, tons of talent, but also everyone working together on all three phases to accomplish something. I love to see a team play as a team regardless of position or talent.

There were some terrible calls in that game, both for us and against us. That's all I got, because I can't afford fines from the NFL. I absolutely didn't like the collapse of our D to let the Pack back in the game. We can't do that against the Lions next week. Missed field goals were terrible. I can't ever go, "You missed a 50+ yd field goal? You're the worst kicker ever," but missing multiple in a single game is not good.

Defense broke down toward the end and let GB to get back in the game. We had it dominated, and it never should have happened.

I don't care if we win by one, three or 21 points, a W is a W and I'm all smiles.

— Brandon in Rock Hill, South Carolina

P.S. ask Jets how much he would sell me a pair of his game gloves.

Always good to welcome a new contributor. Congrats to you and your friend for correctly predicting how big the Week 18 game between the Vikings and Lions would be.

I think the game at Carolina referenced would have been the 2021 contest the Vikings won in overtime after Darnold led the Panthers in erasing a 28-17 edge for Minnesota in the final five minutes of regulation.

Fast forward to now, and Darnold is delivering in the clutch for Minnesota, and the Vikings are repeatedly displaying an unselfish culture and consistent camaraderie.

"When your team has ownership of every possible thing that we're doing and they work for something greater than just themselves, anything is really possible," O'Connell said. "That's not to take away from one snap. It can all go the other way if you're not totally and completely present, locked in with what we have to do, especially against the type of opponents we're going to play tonight and here on out the rest of the way."

I am so excited for this 2024 Vikings team! I wasn't able to follow the 1998 Vikings, so this year is extra special for me as I have watched every single game, every play, including in person with my family from around the country at the Indianapolis Colts game. What a thrill that was.

I was a Green Bay Packers fan before 1961, but a true Viking fan since, as a born and raised Minnesotan.

To me, I feel like every Vikings player and coach are my sons. I love you all.

— Gill Sorg in New Mexico

For some reason, before the game, I was thinking about what has become one of the NFL's greatest rivalries and how it wouldn't have launched without the hard work and vision of community leaders in the late 1950s who convinced the NFL that Minnesota should receive an expansion franchise. Had that not happened, where would allegiance lie?

Fans for generations have proven those community leaders, and the NFL, correct in awarding the franchise.

There's plenty to like about this team. I know some have credited Jamie Erdahl's sounding of the Gjallarhorn before the Colts game with launching the nine-game win streak, so kudos for making the trip to be part of that. Minnesota will try to continue that run on Sunday Night Football.

I really love the chemistry of this team — players and coaches. I think Brian Flores is a huge part of that success this year and can only get better moving forward. Is Brian Flores willing to stay and help the Vikings build something great in the Twin Cities? I hear rumors he may take a head coaching job next season. Are the Vikings interested in extending his contract moving forward? I would hate to see him go.

— Daniel Moore in Belvidere, Illinois

When Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips previously was approached by teams that were evaluating candidates, he removed himself from consideration because he said he really wanted to help O'Connell build something great here in Minnesota.

It's been clear that Flores has sincerely enjoyed his time in Minnesota. I'm sure it will be enticing if he's approached by a team with a head coaching opportunity, but he also has the ability to assess options against the backdrop of what has been a great situation.

O'Connell and Flores have both described how much they love coaching football together, and Minnesota's efforts in free agency that have been so fruitful are a function of continuity.

With SO many superlatives to mention, it is sad that the one thing that we need to improve the MOST is our offensive line play! Being mediocre is not going to cut it! We MUST consistently perform, tackle to tackle, at an extremely high level! Beat the Lions! Skol!

— Randy in Las Vegas, Nevada

I thought the pass protection was solid for most of the night. Darnold was sacked only once and hit four times in a game where he made 44 dropbacks. He completed 33 of 43 passes and wasn't ducking, dodging or running for his life after the snap.

The screen pass to Akers for the touchdown was great execution by the offensive line, particularly center Garrett Bradbury who took his path horizontally after the snap instead of going vertically and risking being down the field before the ball was thrown.

Darnold did have to move around in the pocket, but when he did, he did so with confidence and continued to read his options. Here's what he said about the o-line.

"I thought our big guys did a really good job up front today. They do every single week. It's just a matter of whether I get the ball out or not," Darnold said. "It was a really good day in terms of that. I felt like there were times, too, where I could have gotten the ball out a little quicker, especially on the second to last drive. But I thought the big guys did a really good job tonight."

Hero of the border battle is Cam Akers.

There is no doubt in my mind!

Maybe? Without that third-down conversion miracle catch, maybe the Packers don't go down & win with a final play field goal. It's a very big maybe. Thank you to Cam Akers for preventing that from being even a remote possibility.

That said. Golly those guys in Purple looked GREAT! They saved their best home performance of the regular schedule for the final home game. It's always every team's goal to give the home fans their best in the last one.

I've written before to this space. My concerns for the way O'Connell has coached the final four minutes of both halves of games.

Again, I thank K.O. He appears to have learned his lesson. Three runs to gain that half ending first down. That one must-have first down to prevent any chance of your opponent scoring. They have often been elusive for Vikings games of seasons past.

Not this time. K.O.'s offensive calls through the inside 8, as well as the final drive, they were a master class on how to win a ball game. A big shout out to Coach O'Connell! Great, great job on this most important Sunday.

A big shout out to the defense & its head coach Brian Flores for holding a Green Bay offense down for three full quarters. That's rather impressive. Had the Vikings not missed two field goals, the last 8 minutes of the game wouldn't have resulted in a nail bitter of a finish.

Still. Stuff happens. And the fact that the Vikings pulled off another one-score victory in this most improbable season, it just makes me smile.

A big noogie rub on the officiating crew. Some of the calls were more than slightly questionable. Another reason to give this coaching staff and roster much extra love. They stayed together & overcame. The mark of a very good football team.

One more victory is available on the Purple's 17-game schedule.

Gentlemen, GO TAKE IT! YOU ARE DESERVING!

Skol to all,

— Vic King in Idaho

Happy 2025 to the many Purple.

O'Connell was asked a follow-up question about his appreciation for Akers and clarified the appropriate "L" word is love instead of like.

The team emphasized restoring home-field advantage this season and capped its regular-season run with a 7-1 record (plus 1-0 — there's that phrase again — in London as the "home" team with a wonderful crowd there). That environment is a clear benefit, along with a first-round bye, if Minnesota can win at Detroit in Week 18.

Sweeping the Packers is awesome enough but watching the dominance alongside my Packers fan brother makes it oh so sweet!

Forget the garbage yards/points in the end, this was easily our best defensive performance of the year. We need another just like it next week in Detroit. "Sammy D." was slinging like crazy, and the postgame locker room celebration was really beautiful to see! We seem to be jelling at just the right time. I wasn't too pleased with the time management before the half. K.O. has to do better than that. Gave up a TD opportunity, in my opinion. And "Will the Thrill" didn't have his best day. Hopefully he fixes that. The dominant performance until the end gave me an "It's about time!" feeling. We have to sustain it for 60 minutes. Excited about next week! We need our best, complete, complementary performance against the Lions! Onward to VICTORY!!!

SKOL!!!

— J.B. Brunet in Texas

Driving 84 yards is tough at any point in a game, but trying to do so with only 1:16 remaining in a half is rare.

There seemed to be a little indecisiveness with less than a minute before halftime. T.J. Hockenson started the possession with a 28-yard reception to move the ball from the Minnesota 16 to the 44, and the Vikings followed with a 7-yard reception by Jefferson on a play that was snapped with 48 seconds remaining.

Only 24 seconds remained when the Vikings took their next snap and completed a 5-yard pass to Hockenson and used their first timeout with 19 seconds remaining and the ball at the Green Bay 44.

The Vikings overcame the only sack by the Pack to eventually set up the 50-yard field goal by Reichard.

It made it a two-score game at 13-3, and the Vikings made it a three-score game shortly after halftime, then managed their lead in the fourth quarter.

Very few QB hits or sacks in the first half of the game. They really dialed it up in the second half. I think they finished with three sacks and 8 QB hits. Great finish!!!

— Gerald Goblirsch

There's an adage that a team has to earn the right to rush the passer. This is usually accomplished by being strong against the run, which I thought Minnesota was in limiting Green Bay to 4.3 yards per carry and not allowing a run of more than 14 yards.

More opportunities to dial up the heat are created by forcing teams into third-and-longs or pass-likely situations because of the scoreboard deficit.

I appreciate the "creativity" of the Viking defense with one exception: the inability to execute any version of a "prevent defense." Help me understand why this is our approach. I will accept a statement that the NFL wants "drama" to increase viewership and revenues.

— R.L. Weitzel in Maple Grove, Minnesota

After the game, I joked with colleague Rob Kleifield that O'Connell wanted to add another one-score victory. He's 26-9 in such games for a win percentage of .743 that is ahead of John Madden (.732 from 1969-78) and only trails Hall of Fame member Guy Chamberlin (.759 from 1922-27).

There is probably a motivation in keeping some things from hitting the game film that upcoming opponents could prepare for once a team builds a three-score lead.

The Packers also made some plays, even if their streak of five consecutive games with 30-plus points for was snapped, and you never know, there could be a bonus Border Battle at some point in the playoffs.

Longtime listener, first time caller.

Before the game with the Packers, I took some time during the holiday break to watch all the condensed games for the Vikings. I wanted to see what people were missing about Darnold and the Vikings, who continue to operate in the shadow of Jared Goff and the Lions, despite similar records and a 2-point head-to-head loss.

Both Darnold and the defense have gotten substantially better since the game with the Rams. Even the 3 INT "bad game" against Jacksonville should give credit to the Jax secondary. This is the NFL. Even the bad teams have great players.

The Viking defense creates confusion. It has playmakers all over the field. Darnold plays with patience and takes care of the ball. When he's not making plays, Jefferson celebrates team success and Jordan Addison, Hock, Nailor, Jones even Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt all step up when called upon.

Most importantly, the team never seems nervous when struggling or playing from behind. There is a quiet confidence that many folks are overlooking. As the fourth quarter starts against the Pack, I can only wonder if people will see it when they win the No. 1 seed against the Lions next week.

SKOL

— Phil Boyum in Melbourne, Florida

P.S.: Could the C.J. Ham first down and the Cam Akers shoestring catch be a better example of stepping up? SKOL!!

Goff has played great this season, including the first time around against the Vikings. He completed 22 of 25 passes for 280 yards with two scores, no interceptions and a passer rating of 140.0. The Lions also recovered both of his fumbles in the fourth quarter.

There is something to be said about Goff continuing the Lions momentum from a year ago that resulted in Detroit advancing to the NFC Championship Game.

Since that three INT, no TD game at Jacksonville, Darnold has thrown 18 touchdowns against two interceptions. There's been a few more people who are starting to see Darnold's play this season and separate it from tough games earlier in his career.

Happy holidays and Happy New Year to you and yours.

What should be some New Year's Resolutions for the Vikings organization and players?

Best Always,

— Ed Helinski in Auburn, New York

Some seasons have large to-do lists for resolutions, but there are not a ton of big-scale fixes necessary when a team is on a nine-game winning streak. There are definitely always things to clean up, but the team has continued to do that.

The group seems locked in and focused. First, it was tuning out people who said the squad wouldn't be good. Now, it will be about approaching things with the same focus and intensity that has helped it prove otherwise as more people might be ready to admit this is a good team.

Appreciate the holiday greetings and wishes for the New Year.