📰 Table Of Contents
Packers @ Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings took care of the Green Bay Packers 27-25 to improve to 14-2 on the season. The Vikings can clinch the NFC North and the number-one seed in the conference with a win in Week 18 against the Lions.
Sam Darnold continued to prove the doubters wrong, throwing for 377 yards and three touchdowns. The USC product opened the game nine for 12 passing with 95 yards and a 31-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Jalen Nailor – his first TD catch since Week 12 – to take a 7-3 lead.
.@jalennailor puts us on top!#Skol
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/wF0p5IGCuq
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 29, 2024
The Vikings’ defense did a great job containing the Packers’ offense. Minnesota forced a fumble, a turnover on downs, and three punts on five of Green Bay’s first six possessions.
The Packers made a goal-line stand against the Vikes in the second quarter, forcing Minnesota to settle for a field goal from Green Bay’s seven yard line to make it a 10-3 game before the two-minute warning.
After a field goal drive to end the first half, Minnesota wide receiver Jordan Addison caught an 18-yard TD pass from Sam Darnold in the third quarter to extend the Vikings’ lead to 20-3. That was Sam Darnold’s 34th touchdown of the year, a new record for a first-year Viking.
Packers running back Josh Jacobs rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown. That TD – Jacobs’ tenth in the last six games and his 14th of the season – cut the lead to 20-10.
A nine-yard touchdown reception by Minnesota running back Cam Akers almost put this one out of reach, but the Packers rallied back and scored 15 unanswered points to make it a 27-25 game with under 2:30 remaining. It would be too little too late as the Vikes would get the ball and never give it back, picking up two first downs on the final drive.
The Vikings will now watch Monday Night Football with great intent as the Detroit Lions play the San Francisco 49ers. If Detroit loses that game, the Vikings will take a one-game lead in the race for the number-one seed in the NFC.
With the loss, the Packers fell to 1-4 in divisional play with their only win coming against the Chicago Bears, who have been winless since October 13th, 2024. Green Bay clinched a playoff spot in Week 16 against the Saints.
Dolphins @ Browns
The Dolphins are still in the running for a playoff spot with a 20-3 win over the Cleveland Browns. If Miami and Kansas City both win in Week 18, the Dolphins will qualify for the postseason.
Miami second-string quarterback Snoop Huntley had a good outing with 277 total yards and two total touchdowns. He also helped lead a 41-yard field goal drive to give the Dolphins a 6-3 halftime lead. Huntley was three for four on that series for 28 passing yards.
The first touchdown came in the third quarter when Snoop Huntley scrambled for a 12-yard score to go up 13-3. Tyreek Hill, who caught two passes on that drive for 17 yards, finished the day with a team-high nine receptions and 105 yards.
11k for the 🐆 pic.twitter.com/pWs8UTIcQc
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 29, 2024
The Dolphins’ defense had a sack, a fumble recovery, an interception, and three turnovers on downs. Miami held Cleveland to its lowest-scoring output of the season.
If the Denver Broncos win their game in Week 18, then they will make the playoffs, so Miami will need some help from an unmotivated Kansas City squad that has already locked up the number-one seed in the AFC. If by some chance KC pulls off the win, then the Dolphins make the playoffs if they can beat the Jets.
