EAGAN, Minn. — It's unfortunate a season of adversity — and uncertainty — has a certain fate.

Minnesota just ended its final Friday practice of Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's fourth season, and the feeling of knowing exactly that feels misplaced and yet cruelly appropriate after all the Vikings endured.

Namely, 17 offensive line combinations of 10 or more snaps, tied for the most in the NFL with the Chargers, and not a single one that's logged more than 250 snaps together, according to Next Gen Stats.

Namely, a series of injuries at the most important position that led to three different starting QBs and inconsistencies unlike anything O'Connell has experienced — even when the Vikings started four in 2023.

And still, Minnesota is .500 and on the cusp of a 5-game win streak. The culture established under O'Connell has persisted through a mountain of challenges. And this team, no matter how depleted it may be, looks like it belongs in the dance. That's why accepting that the Border Battle on Sunday is all she wrote, is tough, but should amplify the organization's determination to avoid this certainty in 2026.

There's another definitive point that, hopefully, is copied in the future: the 2025 Vikings never quit.

For a handful of weeks now, O'Connell and his staff have been "challenging guys to understand, 'Yeah, we may be out of it, but there's so much to play for not only in the present, but in the future,' and they've just answered the bell on that," he said. "But I'm sure as we watch these playoffs get started and we're not a part of it, it's going to sting. It's going to sting. I know it stings everybody in this building, our ownership and certainly our fan base, and we've got to find a way to punch a ticket into the tournament.

"And it's easy to say when you get into December, like, you're playing for a chance to get into the playoffs. But we've got to understand it might be this play in September, October, or November that ultimately determines your ability to have the best path to get in. We've learned that this year for sure."

O'Connell on Friday noted J.J. McCarthy will start after leaving the Week 16 game and missing Week 17 with a hairline fracture in his throwing hand. The 22-year-old has started nine games (5-4), including three last month (3-0), and helped improve the Vikings record in December dating to last season to 9-0.

McCarthy said Wednesday that the team's mentality is "win at all costs." He has a couple of victories against Detroit and one at Chicago. He's going for his first versus Green Bay after falling 23-6 in Week 12.

The Vikings won't have tight end T.J. Hockenson, running back Aaron Jones, Sr., receiver/returner Myles Price or tight end Gavin Bartholomew. Cornerback Dwight McGlothern is questionable to face the Packers, whose rank won't change regardless of the outcome; they're the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Vikings Uniform

Minnesota will sport its Vikings Classic throwback uniforms inspired by the 1960s and '70s, featuring a deeper purple and larger gold-trimmed numbers than the modern jersey, as well as retro sleeve stripes. This look debuted in Week 1 in 2023. It's the second usage this season after they were worn in Week 2.

3 Vikings Storylines

1. On the radar

To lead off, let's appreciate Will Reichard's sophomore NFL campaign.

His résumé includes 120 points scored (10^th in the NFL), 11 field goals from 50-plus yards (tied-1^st), including the second-longest in Lambeau Field history (59 yards) in Week 12, and a 93.8 percent make rate, which ranks third overall behind Jets kicker Nick Folk (96.6) and 49ers kicker Eddy Piñeiro (96.4).

Reichard's season is historical by Vikings standards and phenomenal relative to the entire sport.

The 2024 sixth-round draft pick is the seventh player 24 or younger since 1938 to drill at least 30 field goals in a season at a 90% clip or higher. Reichard, who turns 25 on Jan. 9, joined Cameron Dicker (2023-24), Aldrick Rosas (2018), Harrison Butker (2017), Justin Tucker (2012-13), Minnesota's Blair Walsh (2012) and Stephen Gostkowski (2008). Rosas, Tucker (2013), Walsh and Gostkowski were All-Pro picks.

Reichard, a.k.a "Will the Thrill," is currently tied by the way with Fred Cox in 1970 for the eighth-most field goals by a Vikings kicker in one season and is five off Gary Anderson's team record of 35 set in 1998.

"My confidence in him is supreme. It couldn't be higher," said O'Connell. "He's a physically talented, gifted kicker. … It's the way it sounds coming off his foot. It's the consistency of his stroke. But there's got to be a mindset there to meet the moment. We've got a lot of players like that on our team that are able to do that. But his ability to meet that moment when it is, the kickers have — it's such a hard job."

Transitioning to another star, let's recall how close Justin Jefferson is to accomplishing a huge milestone.

With 53 yards Sunday, "Jets" will reach the 1,000-yard plateau for the sixth year in a row. That would make him the third player ever after Mike Evans and Randy Moss to do so in each of his first six seasons.

Jefferson hasn't posted a 100-yard game since Week 5 in London, but he flashed two weeks ago with 85.

2. Defensive driving

Proactive, aware and doing extra despite challenging circumstances.

That's defensive driving in a nutshell. It also happens to be a shortlist of the core characteristics showcased by Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' group since Week 9 — the initial win over the Lions that washed away the rotten taste of a lackluster game on Thursday Night Football at the Chargers.

Really for nine weeks and counting, even through a string of four losses before Minnesota's current four-game win streak, the defense coached by Flo' (a name likely to be mentioned in head coaching searches for 2026, granted O'Connell wants him back) has pained offenses like the discreet black ice on sidewalks.

In that span, opponents have averaged 18.7 points, with just 8.7 in second halves, as well as 272.7 total yards and 153.9 passing per game. Also, the competition has converted 43 of 125 third downs (34.4%), and its combined passer rating is 73.7. You can spin it a variety of ways — but the conclusion is the same.

Minnesota's defense is driving the bus and speeding into the New Year with spirit.

While the terrific execution shines a light on the players in the system, first and foremost, it's also a testament to the vision implemented by Flores over the past 34 months; a proof of concept, if you will.

The root elements of the defensive success are shutting down the run and stressing out quarterbacks.

Here's snippets of the 50-game portfolio Flores has put together since 2023: Minnesota has allowed the fewest rush yards per attempt (3.9) — no other team is below 4.0. Minnesota has the fifth-most sacks (137) and sixth-most pressures (472) thanks partly to an extreme blitz tendency, sending 848 blitzes in three seasons. That's 153 more than second-ranked Tampa Bay — and that difference is about as large as the gap between the No. 9 blitzing defense, Dallas (501), and the 32^nd blitzing front, San Francisco (339).

Those truths have been fundamental to Minnesota forcing 76 turnovers, including a league-high 24 interceptions in 2024 and the most fumbles recovered in 2025 (13). Seventy-six is fifth most in that span.

3. Year 14 finale

Thirteen thousand, one hundred fifty-four.

It's a mouthful, and the number of defensive snaps Smith has played since bursting onto the scene as a rookie. The only players with more snaps accrued than the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week since 2012 are linebackers Bobby Wagner (14,008), Lavonte David (13,913) and Demario Davis (13,360).

Elite company to keep. Then again, most everything associated with Smith is that quality.

With 48-ish hours until Smith's 203^rd career start, it's worth revisiting his Hall of Fame credentials. The 36-year-old is one of six NFL players in the 35 (INT)-20 (sack) club and needs one more pick to join Ronde Barber, Larry Wilson and Charles Woodson in the rare 40-20 fraternity. Additionally, he's one of seven players tracked with 100-plus passes defended and 50-plus tackles for a loss, linking him to Barber, Brian Dawkins, Malcolm Jenkins, Troy Polamalu, Antoine Winfield, Sr., and Woodson. Smith has 106 and 51.

His multi-phase stats run laps around most of his peers. They're not the crux of his greatness, though.

Smith, in the eyes of this Vikings writer (a transplant from Arizona who initially played safety in high school and thought 2-2 was the baddest dude on the planet), is the exemplary defensive football player, one who not only survived rule changes that limited his shtick as "The Hitman" but thrived in the years since then. To me, his most impressive traits deal less with his physicality and more his levelheadedness, his competitive stamina, his diagnostic skills and football intelligence (FBI), and his three-level impact — appearing in the backfield on blitzes, breaking up passes thrown into the box and roaming the deep half.

It's hard to tell what Smith has planned beyond finishing Year 14 strongly — so let's live in the moment.

After all, he's made for it.

2 Things 'Bout the Packers

1. Final Tune-up

As far as arm talent goes, Jordan Love is one of the best in the biz.

Recently, the country has witnessed that Packers backup QB and formerly written off Titans "project" Malik Willis has evolved into a dangerously good thrower, as well, and his athleticism was always a plus.

Get this: In two seasons of sparse snaps for Green Bay, Willis, a 2022 third-round pick, is 70-for-89 passing (78.7%) with 972 yards, six TDs and zero picks. His rating is 134.6. His yards per attempt is 10.9. He's rushed 42 times for 261 yards (6.2 avg.) and three scores. And he may be used in the playoffs, even with Love clearing concussion protocol, because he gives the green and gold serious big-play potential.

Objectively, both players are fun to watch. But for Minnesota's sake it is nice neither will play Sunday.

Green Bay is opting to change tunes to Clayton Tune for Week 18 to ensure health at the most critical position going into the postseason tournament. Don't worry if you don't recognize the tune — er, Tune.

The 26-year-old put up gaudy numbers at the University of Houston — 334 completions, 4,074 pass yards and 45 total TDs as a senior — and was drafted in the fifth round in 2023 by Arizona and spent 2023-24 with the Cardinals. Tune ranks 50^th in career passing yards at the FBS level; for perspective former Vikings QB Case Keenum is the all-time leader, with 19,217 (at Houston), and Tune had 11,996.

As a pro, Tune has made 14 appearances and one start. He was 11-for-20 with 58 yards and a pair of interceptions as Arizona's QB1 at Cleveland in Week 9 of his rookie slate. The Cardinals lost that game 27-0. In relief of Willis last weekend, Tune connected on 1 of 4 attempts for 8 yards and was intercepted on a pass that zipped right through Packers WR Bo Melton's hands. He was sacked once on eight snaps.

Here's a unique footnote: Tune's great-granduncle Jimmy Lawrence was a first-round selection and the first-ever draft pick of the Chicago Cardinals (same franchise as Arizona now) in 1936. He was eventually traded to Green Bay of all places and he was on the 1939 NFL Champion Packers team that walloped the Giants 27-0. Lawrence was a wing/halfback and he scored thrice on the ground for the Cardinals in 1938.

2. Life since Parsons injury

McCarthy made a valid point this week: Micah Parsons would tremendously elevate any team.

And the 26-year-old, five-time Pro Bowl OLB absolutely did. Before Parsons sustained a season-ending ACL injury Dec. 14, he helped the Packers defense generate a 37% pressure rate with him on the field. It wasn't just ample pressure — it was instant, like a liter of soda erupting when it interacts with Mentos.

The Parsons-led Packers pressured QBs within 2.70 seconds on average per NGS. Pressure rate and speed for the Packers sans Parsons, however, has dipped to 32.4% and 3.05s in games vs. the Bears and Ravens.

Without Parsons, and opponents having to account for his package of pass-rush moves — his 83 QB pressures ranks third in the NFL behind Aidan Hutchinson and Will Anderson, Jr., (both have 84) despite playing two fewer games than them — Green Bay's defense has limped to the finish line, giving up 407 yards of offense per game in Weeks 16-17 after permitting 294.6 across the first 14 games and 15 weeks.

The only other member of the Pack with more than 4.0 sacks is Rashan Gary (7.5) but his most recent occurred back in Week 8. For what it's worth, Devonte Wyatt notched 2.0 (as did Parsons) in the initial matchup between these clubs, and Isaiah McDuffie and Warren Brinson chipped in half of a sack apiece.

1 Key Matchup

Brian Flores vs. Matt LaFleur

Green Bay was rather conservative in the Week 12 meeting.

SEE: Love's 23 drop backs, tied for his fewest in a full game this year, and his season-low 21 attempts. SEE: His two deep throws (20-plus air yards) — his only game with fewer was Week 3 against Cleveland — and just two plays of 15-plus yards, both 18-yard completions to Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs.

The Packers won with Love at Lambeau Field on Nov. 23 — but not because of him.

Some credit is reserved for Flores' unit, which pressured the QB on 45.8% of his opps (h/t Next Gen Stats) and has regularly put a lid on explosive passes. Green Bay's two gains of more than 15, however, represent the fewest by the Pack this year, and more closely reflected LaFleur's control of the game flow.

Run the rock. Control the clock. Be situational masters. A concerted effort to limit the risk potential.

It all caused some angst, honestly, because Minnesota's offense was struggling and its defense toiled to get off the field on third down (the Packers converted half of their 14 attempts). That fusion of frustration allowed Green Bay to generally play things safer than normal; aim for the sticks and that's it!

It's valid to think LaFleur's approach will be different in the rematch (with several starters resting and whatnot). But the cleverness in Week 12 begs the question of how will the brain of Green Bay's offense attack a defense that's playing its best ball of the season and is bound to empty its bag of tricks Sunday?

We wish this was a Wild Card game, yet it presents some wild-card elements with its unpredictability.

Here's a nugget about each unit we think is awfully interesting: The Packers offense averaged 8.3 yards per play, the fifth most in 2025 action for any team, in their Week 17 loss to Baltimore — and didn't punt once. Somehow, the Packers are 0-3 in games without punting this season. The rest of the league is 10-0.

Also attached to Week 17, the Vikings defense now has two performances with five-plus takeaways in 2025. It's the first time since 2007 that Minnesota has forced at least five turnovers in multiple games.

Top Quotes of Week 18

Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores on Harrison Smith

"I've learned a lot from him as far as how a player can see the game on the field, how one guy can kind of give me a sense of what guys are either struggling with or what they thrive in. And, to me, that's a weapon as a coach that oftentimes we don't use enough. We kind of go off of 'Hey, when I played' — but the game is a little bit different now and every player is different. What they see on the field is different than what we see from the sideline, and I like to see it through his lens. We've got a great dialogue and communication that [we've built] over three years … we really talk between every series. And it's 'What check are you thinking about?' and 'What do you want to call?' and I'm like, 'Well, what do you want to call?' There's a good back and forth there; 'What are you seeing? Here's what I'm seeing. I think we can get them with this.' And sometimes it's, OK — we do it. It's been a great coach-player dynamic."

Justin Jefferson on playing with Smith and if he can picture him returning for a 15^th season

"It has meant a lot. He's definitely a legend. He's definitely a Hall of Famer. To be with him, to have my locker right next to him for all of these years and for us to have that connection — and grow our connection over the years — it's been crazy to see these last couple years of his career. Hopefully, it's not the end. Hopefully he comes back with us (for another season). But if not, I mean, just what he has done for this organization, what he has done for the players that come in and out of here — he's a great guy, he's a great player. I'm glad to have rolled with him these last couple of years.

"Of course I can. He's still out there making plays. He's still flying around. Of course, during the week, he has his own routine to manage his body and take care of him[self]. But I still feel like he has the juice. It's all up to him at the end of the day, but I think he still can go at least a round or two."

Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips on the defensive dominance on Christmas Day

"That defensive performance was one of the more inspired performances I've, really, ever seen on a football field. And I think, pretty obviously, the reason why we won that football game, with us not giving them anything cheap, not giving them any turnovers. But those guys played out of their minds, played lights out. It was just great to see late in the season with not a whole lot on the line per se. [For] those guys to come out and play the way they did, it was just great to see from a coaching perspective, and 'Flo' and those guys — I just tip my cap to those guys for what they've been able to do with that group."

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