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There's disappointment hitting the inbox from Vikings fans in Minnesota and coast to coast after the Vikings fell 31-9 Sunday at Detroit and missed out on the opportunity to secure the franchise's first No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs since 1998.

Remarkably, 14 wins on the season didn't do the trick — or even claim the NFC North.

The Lions swept the Vikings in the regular season and earned the top spot in the conference, along with the spoils of a first-round bye and home-field advantage, which was pretty strong Sunday but not the deciding factor in Detroit's win.

We noted in our preview coverage last week how important it would be to do well on fourth downs.

Detroit converted two of its four attempts, and both conversions led to touchdowns.

The first, a fourth-and-5 in the first quarter, was followed immediately by a 25-yard touchdown scamper by Jahmyr Gibbs. The other success was a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Gibbs on fourth-and-2 in the third quarter. It turned a 10-9 lead into a 17-9 margin.

Gibbs put up 40 fantasy points in the free fantasy football league I'm in with some friends, so congrats to my best friend of 30-plus years on overtaking me last night for a 116-115 victory in our championship.

The Vikings went 0-for-3 on fourth down, but an even bigger factor in the undesired outcome was Minnesota's ineffectiveness in the red zone, where the Vikings went 0-for-4, compared to the 3-for-3 clip by the Lions.

That discrepancy proved huge in relegating Minnesota, despite the second-most wins in a season in franchise history, to the No. 5 seed in the NFC.

That assignment, combined with the Los Angeles Rams opting to rest key players even though losing Sunday against Seattle meant falling from the No. 3 to No. 4 seed (after Tampa Bay won earlier in the day), has created a do-over situation of sorts for the Vikings.

Minnesota lost 31-29 in Week 7 to Detroit then fell in Week 8 at L.A. on Thursday Night Football.

This game will at least be on Monday Night Football to conclude Wild Card Weekend, but the Rams players who didn't play in Week 18 will have the benefit of extra rest against a Vikings squad that landed at MSP around 3 this morning.

Ouch! First, congratulations Vikings on a 14-win season.

Am I the only one that realized we should have thrown screens and quick slants, period. K.O. kept calling deep pass routes when Darnold was under constant duress.

I hope they figure that out before next week or it will be a truly dismal end to a great year.

Pivotal point in game — Van Ginkel drops pick six, and they score a TD. Would have changed entire game.

Skol,

— Kurt in California

It seemed to me like there were some quick throws on Minnesota's first possession, with the Vikings gaining 8 (on a run), 8 and 6 (on their first two passes), but that drive derailed when a false start on Blake Brandel turned second-and-4 into second-and-9, and two incompletions followed.

When I do go to sleep, I think I'm even going to be replaying the way the ball bounced off Van Ginkel's left paw and then both hands on the second play of the fourth quarter. He stepped in front of a quick pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown on first-and-10 from the 34 with the Lions up 17-9.

But instead of returning it the way he did against the Jets in Week 5 (or the shorter version in Week 1), it was just an incompletion. The Lions scored three plays later to make it 24-9.

Definitely not faulting Van Ginkel for not securing the catch. He made some incredible plays throughout the game and has been so instrumental in one of the greatest seasons in franchise history. It was just a bounce the Vikings needed and didn't get on a night when the offense struggled mightily.

I have to say this one hurts. Not just the outcome of the game, but the blame that is going to be placed on Sam as well as the coming comments of "told you Vikings weren't contenders." First of all, I want to say I don't blame any players. Effort was there, and the defense played a great game until they got worn out, and that's not their fault.

I don't like blaming one person for a game but in my opinion this one is on K.O. Everyone and their cousin knew the Lions were going to bring pressure and try to get to Sam today, and that's what they did. Everyone apparently except K.O.? Come on man. K.O. had no answer whatsoever for the Lions pressure. No screens, no quick slants, started quick perimeter throws too late in the game. Just awful play-calling. It's sad when my buddies and I can sit here and see what needs to happen and an NFL coach doesn't.

To make it even more embarrassing, Cris Collinsworth toward the end of the game even asked why all the receivers are running long-developing routes when Sam has no time to throw? So as a lot of people are going to blame Sam for having a bad game, I want to thank him for hanging in there and trying to stay strong when the cards were stacked against him. I have to ask how were there no offensive adjustments by K.O.? Yes, the Lions CBs played some really good man coverage all game, but did I just not see the adjustments? Because it sure didn't seem like there were any.

— Mike in St Augustine, Florida

The Lions definitely brought the heat, and home-field advantage can give the defense a split-second edge against opposing offensive line. I thought Minnesota generally handled the pre-snap situations well for the most part, but fractions of a second can alter play outcomes completely.

Some credit should go to Detroit for its rush plan against a QB who had been solid — or better — against the blitz all season.

It does seem like the Vikings like to have the longer-developing pass plays, and they may have been tempted by what they had seen on film in recent weeks with opponents having free runners through Detroit's secondary. Based on everything I had watched, I fully expected to see Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor cutting through Lions down the field.

When guys were open, however, they were missed.

Disappointed. Thought we would show out better than that. Have to appreciate the ability of Detroit.

It seemed that the moment was a bit much for the team, but maybe more-so for Sam Darnold. I don't want to diminish or take away from the season he has had, but the level of play shown against Detroit looked like the old Darnold. Hurried and inaccurate, he looked scared of the defense and of the moment. The O-line play didn't help the cause. The defense can't be expected to save us from play like that. Hate the idea that this version of Darnold is out there possibly waiting to show up in critical moments.

We've lost three games this season to two QBs (Goff and Matthew Stafford). Both are long-time veterans playing at a high level, and the only two we've played against that you can reasonably say that about. In each instance, those QBs have managed our blitz with outlet passes and using an open middle of the field. We will now face the second of the QBs next week in L.A. where he beat us before. Need adjustments to avoid the same results.

Adapt, improvise and overcome. 1-0. Let's go. Skol!

— MB, Devoted Skoldier

Darnold and O'Connell will have plenty to review as they try to recenter against a Rams squad that limited the Vikings to 20 points in Week 8. They'll try to find more comfort in the playoffs.

Good points about the high-level of play from Goff and Stafford, who both have significantly more time on task in their respective systems than Darnold.

Goff is capable of playing so fast and getting the ball out to a quick answer.

Stafford and the Rams had a great night back in October, so the Vikings will hope to reduce his impact next week.

I have to be honest, the Vikings didn't even show up. Sam Darnold played the worst game he has played this season, overthrowing everyone and missing receivers that were plainly open. Darnold crumbled under the pressure of the big game and showed that he doesn't have what it takes to lead this team when the season is on the line. All those trips to the red zone with no touchdowns.

The defense seemed to just do the minimum. Nice turnovers. But we let too many big gain plays happen. And now we face the other team that beat us this season. Not optimistic.

— Jason in Deadwood, South Dakota

SKOL FOR LIFE

As big as Sunday's game was for the highest stakes offered by an NFL regular season finale, they're only going to get bigger.

We've seen Darnold bounce back from interceptions within games. He didn't throw a pick Sunday, but there is an opportunity to bounce back from multiple misfires.

Detroit's offense is incredibly explosive and has proven itself time and time again this season.

The Vikings have made great strides this year. 14 wins is hard to argue with. What an embarrassment against the Lions. First, Sam Darnold is an average quarterback. They say there are QBs that pull a team and QBs that are pulled by their team. It is obvious that he has been pulled by the team. I pray and hope this organization does not place their hopes on him. I don't know if J.J. McCarthy is the answer, but Darnold is not. Also, I had mentioned in an earlier post, teams cannot miss on the first two draft picks. I know McCarthy is hurt, but we traded up for Dallas Turner, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and he barely plays. I know McCarthy is hurt, but why would you trade up to draft Turner without plans to start him. Our offensive line needs help. Tackles good, interior big room for improvement. Another year for the Vikings. I hope they are competitive against the Rams. Please, please understand Darnold is a product of good receivers, running back, and above average offensive line.

— Bill from Saint Clairsville

I think there have been times when teammates have lifted Darnold up, and there have been times when Darnold has elevated the play of teammates this season.

There's so much speculation about his future — it seems like all TV pundits want to say about the Vikings revolves around that topic. There's plenty of time to do a comprehensive evaluation and plan for multiple scenarios.

The sample size on McCarthy in the NFL is small, but everyone thinks he has a good pro football career ahead of him.

Turner has progressed. He is only 21 years old, and the Vikings have Jonathan Greenard and Van Ginkel, who each made the Pro Bowl at the outside linebacker position. Turner had two sacks and an interception in Weeks 15-17.

Detroit had a good plan of attack, likely capitalizing on familiarity with Minnesota. Boosting protection could be necessary if there's a third game between these two teams, which isn't farfetched.

If the Vikings win at the Rams, and the Eagles (against the Packers) and the Buccaneers (against the Commanders) win their home games, then Minnesota would be right back in Detroit in the Divisional Round.

The Vikings need corners who can play tight man-to-man and not zone. Every team has found the zone, and the receivers, tight ends, backs just sit in them giving the opposing QB windows of opportunity for the receiver to make an uncontested catch resulting in a first down or a down manageable enough to get a first.

Add to that No. 14 has a slow progression, holds the ball longer than the O-line can hold off the opposing D pass rush — usually ends in a sack or errant throw. Keeping this scheme, they won't make it past L.A. again.

— "Q"

Minnesota was able to have success against Green Bay in Week 17 by playing more man coverage, but yes, it did seem like Detroit found answers for getting the ball out to vacated zones.

One of the most frustrating outcomes of any non-scoring play was Detroit getting 17 on a pass to Sam LaPorta to turn second-and-19 into third-and-2, which was easily converted on the way to the end zone for the 17-9 lead. Getting a stop after the Lions fell behind the chains would have probably led to a punt with the opportunity to take the first lead of the night.

What a game, I was expecting so much more. Our 0-for-4 performance in the red zone is just inexplicable. I think Sam was throwing long and high for a lot of this game. I hope he can fix that soon. Lions had an effective defensive game plan, and it showed all night long. I didn't notice any effective offensive adjustments by K.O. during the entire game? Goff and his receivers were on point when they needed to be. Our offense, not so much for the whole game? The whole game was very disappointing. Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:

UPS:

1. Great series by our defense on Lions third possession. Van Ginkel destroys Gibbs on the attempted swing pass; followed by getting Goff for a sack on third down. Fun to see that.

2. Great deep interception by Harrison Smith.

3. We stopped the Lions on one of their fourth-down attempts when Goff tried to pass on fourth-and-inches.

DOWNS:

1. Vikings defense allows Lions to convert a first down after a holding penalty and the resulting third-and-12? Followed immediately by a Gibbs TD run who went untouched into the end zone. Not a playoff level defensive series.

2. Unbelievably weak special teams and defensive play at the end of the half again — the Lions couldn't have drawn up that sequence any better in order to cancel our late first half FG with 20 seconds left. Only the Vikings could mess up a kickoff with 20 seconds left to enable that whole sad mess.

3. I think the Vikings were out-coached and out-played by the Lions for the whole game. Their defense controlled Sam, and our offense all game. We couldn't score touchdowns; we were ineffective on third and fourth downs; we couldn't mount a sustained drive late when the game was on the line. When K.O. went for TDs, we didn't execute. When he tried a long FG, Will Reichard missed. The defense couldn't stop the Lions late and allowed their offense to march down the field with the game on the line. Nightmare.

The Vikings laid a huge egg tonight. So much for the injured Lions defense? They were good enough to shut our offense down missing 12 guys? Hopefully we can right the ship for the Rams game. I think [Sean] McVay, [Matthew] Stafford, [Puka] Nacua and [Cooper] Kupp are going to go to school on exactly how and what Goff, Gibbs, St. Brown and Williams did tonight and use it next week to a Tee against us. Ditto on the Rams pass rush and other defensive game plans to pressure Sam. Who would pass up on the Lions latest Masters' Thesis on how to dominate and defeat the Vikings on both sides of the ball? We still put up 14 wins this season, so I am hopeful we can head to L.A. and out-coach and out-play the Rams next week. If we can't figure all this out, it will be a very short Vikings playoff run indeed.

Respectfully,

— Jeff Ludwig

"Disappointing" was frequently used among emailers, and there are plenty of legitimate reasons why that's the case.

The interception by Smith was pretty cool to see, with him playing deep centerfield and tracking the ball effectively. It was akin to a couple others of his 37 total.

The end-of-half sequence can't happen again if the Vikings want to extend the season to February.

I'm sure the Rams were taking plenty of notes to cross-check what they had success with during the teams' first meeting.

What the heck happened to our offense Sunday night?

We seemed to keep up with the Lions but then we'd stumble inside the 10-yard line. It appeared that their game plan was simple enough. Take away our passing game. Why didn't we ground and pound? Use the under-utilized C.J. Ham to carry the rock and run block for Aaron Jones, Sr., & Cam Akers. You can't run 58 yds, be first-and-goal and then pass three times. The field has shrunk, and their D has already blanketed our receivers. I don't get it.

Hope they figure it out for next week.

Cheers,

— Nicholas Balkou

There's an old adage that teams who run the ball well in the red zone usually score touchdowns in the red zone.

I'm sure O'Connell really liked the pass plays he had dialed up, and who knows, if Darnold hadn't been off the mark on a couple of the best opportunities, maybe we'd have a much different scenario.

In the first half, the Vikings had 10 run plays, compared to 21 pass plays (20 attempts and one sack). The per carry of 3.7 on those runs is a bit dissuading, but when the ball's at the 5, there's an opportunity to keep the ball on the ground, especially if the QB is struggling to find his rhythm and placement of footballs.

The final tally was 19 rushes for 120 yards and 41 pass attempts (plus two sacks).

I didn't expect so spectacular a loss. I think it's fair to say we weren't prepared for the Lions across the board. As a fan, my cautious optimism was intact through 3.5 quarters, but the reserved doubt began to be validated right away. We had an excited QB with soft protection, long-developing plays that were extinguished, poor awareness of the star RB through the back half, and another scoring-responsible kicker bearing the weight of the moment.

I don't have a question, but perhaps observations that may procure a question: Coach knows his plays take a long time to develop. We probably anticipated a higher-than-usual blitz frequency compared to what we've seen. We've probably practiced against those all season and last. I'm curious if holds are responsible for the defense missing tackles on the ball carriers throughout the back stretch, but ideally a team is big and strong enough to correct that. If kicking is the notorious psychological game within the greater chess match, perhaps there is sufficient coaching and encouragement to realize it past one previous off game. If the game were played without referees and no other changes, we might be still 7-14 points in deficit.

I'm proud of the men on this team, and their quality, determination, and see-it-through-ness. I hope they can check this one off as the "bad loss" every good team deserves, move on, and get those high-stakes jitters out before next Monday. They deserve good, well-won games, and it's heartbreaking to be an armchair "xyz" with so many good men in this organization.

SKOL

— Adam from Atlanta, Georgia

The Vikings will have their first mulligan from the regular season this week in visiting the Rams, who finished 10-7 on the season with help of going 5-0 in December.

If Minnesota is fortunate to keep playing, there could be another mulligan against Detroit with hopes of matching the 2004 squad that lost twice to Green Bay in the regular season but carded an upset at Lambeau Field.

I been a Vikings fan for over 30 years. This is the worst game I've ever watched. I wouldn't say the Viking played horrible or got outplayed and outcoached. VIKINGS TANK PLAIN AND SIMPLE. YES, I said it. They were point-shaving. NFL WANTED LIONS TO MAKE HISTORY AND GET RATING. IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY. TELL ME I'M WRONG. A COACH THAT WENT AWAY FROM HOW HE COACHES. A QB OVERTHROWING BALLS OR THROWING IT SHORT WHEN IT MATTERS. When he hasn't done anything like this all season. Then defense that gave up too many points freely. It was way obvious that their assignments were missing on purpose. IT'S disgusting and shameful. SO my question is are the Vikings gonna continue to follow the SCRIPT, or are they going to show up and play Vikings football and not let the NFL dictate who wins or loses. And tell me this game wasn't scripted. Viking should be ashamed of themselves for this. I know my question will not make it on but just wanted to ask the obvious.

— Quirino Cordero

And

First time I really thought the league is rigged. I mean the absolute mugging our receivers were taking all game was unbelievable. Detroit's a great team, and holding them accountable would have serviced them better.

I guess my question is where was the modification of our offense to counter the onslaught the o-line took, and Sam Darnold? We couldn't bring in two tight ends? Two backs? Give Darnold some quick 3-yard dump-offs to slow their pace?

First half was good. The defense did great, but in the second half, they were tired and the blitz was ineffective. Too much time on the field.

Frustrating to lose, but it could take the tension down a bit. Better now than next week, and we learned a weakness we can game-plan for in the future.

Skol!

— Joe in Roseville, California

I combined these two comments. I don't support the notion of purposely shaving points. I think there were just legitimate lapses in execution.

There's kind of a butterfly effect that happens in games, and we've often noted the importance of momentum within a contest and over the course of a season. The nine-game winning streak momentum abruptly ended because of a lack of execution on Minnesota's behalf and a recurrence of execution by Detroit.

There were instances where the Vikings did have two tight ends or two backs (including Ham) in the game. There were not instances where Minnesota did not want to score.

Not to take anything away from the fantastic regular season the Vikes have had, but our team was out-coached and out-played in Detroit tonight. For some reason, the offense looked just a fraction out of sync most of the night. But give the Lions players credit for a well-played game and their coaches credit for exposing our weaknesses. This loss isn't the end of the season but a wake-up call for what it's going to take to reach the ultimate prize. Sometimes a loss is better than a win for reminding everyone that the work is not done yet.

As a fan since 1969 I have suffered many painful losses with this team, and this loss isn't even top 10. It will make the journey harder, not impossible. SKOL

Regards,

— Mike in Oklahoma

Out of sync is a good way to describe it. Lions defenders were physical, and that helped disrupt the rhythm and timing of the passing game.

If Mike's correct about the wake-up call, then it could be one of the best-timed alarms a team could have. That's a tough pill to swallow, no matter how full the glass, given what could have been gained with the win, but the Vikings are guaranteed to have at least 60 more minutes of football.

And yes, the journey is harder but not impossible.

O'Connell and multiple coaches and players were part of the 2021 Rams who wound up winning the NFC West as one of three teams from the division to make the playoffs. L.A. got the No. 4 seed that season.

The Rams won at home against the Cardinals comfortably before upsetting the Buccaneers by 3 on the road and then topping the No. 6 seed 49ers (also by 3), who had defeated the Rams 31-10 and 27-24 in the regular season, at home to make it to Super Bowl LVI, which they won by 3.

All the things that worried me all year were exposed tonight. Still cannot figure out why they allowed a sellout defense to get away with it. Not sure why no outlet option at all. No patience with run game. Next to no ability to run up the gut on the goal line. An o-line that cannot impose its will we have a short life in the playoffs. I wrote several weeks ago I felt one-and-done. Did drink a little Kool-Aid the past few weeks.

— James in Whitesboro, New York

Winning the line of scrimmage — or at least withstanding an opponent in that part of the game is incredibly important.

The single-elimination nature of football playoffs is the inherent fact that teams need to bring their A games to advance.

We didn't look like ourselves. But I also saw a lot of holding of our receivers that wasn't called, so then Sam under pressure couldn't find them open. With all he was hit, too, at this point I'm just praying he isn't seriously hurt for the playoffs!

— Becky from Baldwin

On the penalties front, the Vikings were flagged six times for 30 yards, and the Lions had eight penalties accepted for 49 yards.

The Vikings declined a couple of penalties because flags were thrown for illegal contact or holding when a pass had already picked up a first down.

The Lions tallied 10 QB hits of Darnold, but he kept getting back up.

I guess we really don't need to worry about paying Darnold.

He was off in the first real big game and has been throwing high all night.

While Goff is willing to take a hit, Darnold was flustered and missed so many wide open receivers. This feels like two years ago where we will go to L.A. and lose after a great year.

I don't know how anyone could have any confidence next week in Darnold.

— Bryan

Press box statisticians tallied six QB hits by the Vikings on Goff, but he was able to get the ball out just before the plays turned into sacks and deliver it with accuracy for catches more times than not.

Darnold's toughness again was on display (10 hits). I don't think the inaccuracies were the product of fear. He's shown time and again an intense resolve.

The Vikings and their fans have a very special thing going here in Minnesota. Regardless of the outcome of the playoffs for the Vikings, I have a message for the Wilf's and team management. Speaking for myself and Viking fans everywhere, please do everything possible to retain and keep our coaching staff intact. It would be a bummer to see other teams cherry pick our great offensive and defensive coaches.

Skol Vikings,

— David Bond in Rochester, Minnesota

The Wilf family's commitment to consistently doing what it takes to position the franchise to compete for championships will include efforts to retain staff who might be considered for opportunities elsewhere.

Ultimately, if someone believes a job promotion elsewhere is what is best for career arc, there's not much that can be done, except to offer well wishes and best of luck (unless that coach's team is facing the Vikings).

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