3 silver linings from the Vikings loss to the Packers in Week 16

The Minnesota Vikings suffered a brutal loss to the Green Bay Packers last Monday. What are three silver linings from the stinging defeat?

Against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, the offense forgot to show up for the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings’ offensive line was especially horrid and gave Kirk Cousins little time to process the field. Kevin Stefanski’s play-calling was also garbage as he failed to remember what the strengths of his offense were.

We saw very few rollouts from Cousins and most of the screen passes were not called until late in the matchup. Maybe it was because the offense was without Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison and down to his third-string back, but Stefanski called a completely different game than he usually does. He also got cute with two third-down calls that included a wide receiver pass and an end-around. Neither play had any success.

It was a tough game for Minnesota to lose, which was made even worse since it came against the hated Packers. Heading into the matchup, the Vikings still had a small shot at the NFC North crown, but that is long gone now after their pathetic offensive performance on Monday night.

There is no way to really sugarcoat it as this was a horrible loss for Minnesota. They should be questioning themselves as they prepare for the Chicago Bears on Sunday and as they get ready for the playoffs in two weeks.

Still, there were actually some positives for the Vikings to take out of their Week 16 loss. So here are three silver linings to take away from Minnesota’s second losing effort to Green Bay this season.