The Minnesota Vikings know that playoff-bound teams have a game or two like these every season: “trap games.” It’s a dreaded sound in the NFL. It’s when a team headed to the playoffs has to play an opponent who is out of contention and has nothing to lose. And it’s amazing how many of those teams stub their toes in such a contest.
Whether by looking past the team or playing an unbelievably bad game, coaches fear these games. The “one game at a time” speeches come out, but they know the possibility of slippage exists. The Minnesota Vikings play such a game tonight when they take on the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Components of a “Trap Game”
Tonight’s game has all of the elements of a potential “trap game. The Vikings are riding high with an 11-2 record and a five-game winning streak. Quarterback Sam Darnold is an MVP candidate and wide receiver Justin Jefferson continues to do the impossible in opposing teams’ secondaries. Brian Flores’ defense is dialed in and wreaking havoc on NFL offenses. A division championship is within site if they win tonight, and an NFC #1 seed and playoff bye are within reach.
However, life and opposing teams have not treated the Bears kindly this season. Armed with the first player taken in the 2024 Draft, USC quarterback Caleb Williams, there was renewed hope for their football team in the Windy City. But alas, this has not yet come to pass. After a 4-2 start to the season, they have lost seven straight contests and are hopelessly buried in the NFC North Division cellar.
Their offense is ranked 27th in the NFL, and their passing offense is dead last. Their defense has held up quite well, ranking 7th best in the league. However, their defensive unit starts to break down as games progress, and it ranks only 20th in stopping the run. They are forced to play too many minutes due to an offense that frequently goes three and out.
How Could the Vikings Get Trapped
These things usually start with an early turnover or a breakdown in return coverage. Just something that causes that playoff team to get flustered and start doubting themselves. In the Bears’ case, their defense is ranked 10th in fumbles recovered, and the Vikings’ running back, Aaron Jones, has had some fumbling issues this season. Or perhaps Chicago’s return specialist, DeAndre Carter, breaks loose for a special teams touchdown at a crucial point in the game.
Injuries could be a factor, or in some cases, the weather, but that seems unlikely to be a factor tonight as the game is being played in the climate-controlled U.S. Bank Stadium. In short, it has to be an incident or two that takes a favored team out of their rhythm and puts them in scenarios that they are unfamiliar with.
How Do the Vikings Avoid the Trap
Scoring early and often helps. A quick strike to Jefferson or a ground-and-pound opening drive featuring Jones and Cam Akers would put a real crimp in the Bears’ plans. Playing from behind is pure kryptonite for a team trying to hatch an upset. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell has been on both sides of this equation, and he undoubtedly will have his team prepared for tonight’s game. There would be greater danger of the Vikings losing if the game were being played at Soldiers Field with its swirling winds and unpredictable fans.
Watching the Game
So Vikings fans, relax and pull up your easy chair to watch the game. But if some of these incidents start to occur, remember that Greg tried to warn you.
