After getting destroyed in Week 18 by the Detroit Lions with the NFC North title on the line, the Minnesota Vikings will have to begin the playoffs this weekend rather than get a bye into the divisional round.

A short memory is needed in this game against the Rams that has been moved because of the Los Angeles wildfires to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. SoFi Stadium is not an intimidating home field compared to Ford Field in Detroit or Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, but this move should work out in the Vikings’ favor.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold denied that he the crowd played a factor in one of the worst games of his career against the Lions.

Never mind that the music blared in the locker room after the Vikings held on for a 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers. The celebration couldn’t officially commence until quarterback Sam Darnold finished up a postgame interview with Fox analyst Tom Brady on the television broadcast.

Sam Darnold put forth a career performance for the Minnesota Vikings this season, ranking among the NFL's top 10 quarterbacks in passing yardage, touchdown throws, passer rating and winning percentage.

Seven days separated two visuals that could not have been more in contrast if you hung a portrait of Quasimodo next to the Mona Lisa. There was Sam Darnold, after defeating the Packers, hoisted atop teammates' shoulders,

Despite having the obstacle of the Rams’ home field advantage removed in tragic fashion, given the tragic and horrific fires in Los Angeles, the Minnesota Vikings will undoubtedly be feeling the need for a team bounce-back after a 31-9 drubbing at the Detroit Lions last Sunday,

Sam Darnold is on track to reach free agency in March and understands what's at stake regarding his short- and long-term futures.

The Vikings opened this season predicted by both data and actual humans to finish with around seven victories. Even the more optimistic prognosticators looked at their roster and figured a 10-win year was about the ceiling of this team.