The Minnesota Vikings are at a loss after the surprising defeat against the Detroit Lions. Above all, the defence is once again collapsing under pressure. The Vikings’ playoff hopes could come to an early end as early as Thursday.

Munich – The faces of the Vikings defenders spoke volumes after the game on Sunday.

The two cornerbacks looked almost incredulous as they lost sight of Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown before his last-second touchdown for Detroit.

They knew in that moment how crucial that mistake could be later in the season.

Embarrassing Blowout vs. Lions

Against the Detroit Lions, Minnesota didn’t just concede any loss. The big problem: It was the NFC North rival’s first win of the season. That the Vikings, of all teams, are the first to lose to Detroit fits Minnesota’s wild rollercoaster season.

Instead of entering the hot stretch of the season with an even record, the Vikings suddenly find themselves with their backs against the wall with five wins and seven losses before Thursday Night Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers – and fearing for the playoffs.

Vikings self-critical: “Playing too soft”

The Vikings defence’s performance on the Lions’ final drive actually almost resembled a refusal to work. Although Minnesota took the lead with 110 seconds to go, it came down to the wire as it has so often this season.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who – with all due respect – is far from an average quarterback this season, dismantled the Vikings’ secondary. After 14 plays and 75 yards of space gained, Goff finally found the free-standing St. Brown – the end is known.

“We played way too soft,” safety Harrison Smith said after the game, “We gave them too much space. That’s where we’ve been struggling all year. The last two minutes before halftime and the end of the game, that’s our Achilles heel,” the star defender said.

It was not the first time this season that the Vikings gave away a sure win. Head coach Mike Zimmer’s team had already lost their nerve several times in the decisive phase. With five games to go, the question is whether they can still turn things around.

“Keep going” plan not enough

Head coach Zimmer, whose role is likely to be heavily questioned in the post-season if the team misses the playoffs, was already looking ahead to Thursday’s upcoming task: “We will keep fighting. Our backs are against the wall. We’ve been doing that all along,” the coach explained on Monday.

The 65-year-old has still not managed to get a grip on the obvious problems in the current season. Even though the Vikings had to deal with some injuries, especially in the secondary, these should not be an excuse for the lack of concentration at the end of the games.

The team revealed these weaknesses too often and for too long for it to be solely dependent on the personnel on the court.

Minnesota had to swallow a whopping 101 points in the last two minutes of each of their 24 completed halves so far – historically bad numbers. In the past twenty years, the negative record for the most counter-points in the last two minutes is 107, set by – it can already be guessed – the Minnesota Vikings in the 2020 season.

The problem has been going on for several seasons, but a solution is still not in sight. No matter how many points the strong offence scores, the defence regularly loses its nerve.

Offense as glimmer of hope against Steelers

A loss to the Steelers would almost be tantamount to playoff elimination. In addition to two divisional duels with the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams are also on the schedule – so the tasks are getting harder and harder. Wins are now a must.

The big problems in the defence show: The Vikings’ defence will probably not win many more games this season. High time to call on their own strengths.

The plan against the Steelers can therefore only be: full attack on the offensive side. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is having an outstanding season. After twelve games, the veteran stands at 3353 passing yards and 25 touchdowns thrown – with only 3 (!) interceptions.

Playmakers are in demand

Against the equally vulnerable Pittsburgh defence, the other playmakers are also in demand. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson (1209 receiving yards, seven touchdowns) is playing like a superstar, and fellow receiver Adam Thielen is also delivering with ten touchdowns already caught. In addition, star running back Dalvin Cook, who has been injured lately, could make his comeback.

The Vikings now need all the help they can get. Because as Head Coach Zimmer already said: Their backs are against the wall. From now on, every game has playoff character – so that they can still achieve exactly that.