3 Vikings players that could doom the team’s 2020 playoff hopes

Kris Boyd – CB

Heading into the 2020 season, Kris Boyd wasn’t expected to see too much of the field for the Vikings on the defensive side of the ball. But thanks to a number of Minnesota’s corners dealing with injuries this year, Boyd has started in four of the team’s last five games.

On defense, the second-year Vikings cornerback has held his own pretty well. He hasn’t been performing at an All-Pro level, but he’s definitely played a part in Minnesota’s defense improving since the bye week.

However, there have been a few instances in which Boyd has failed to come up a game-changing play when he’s been presented with the opportunity this season.

In Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys, he let a victory-sealing interception bounce off his hands, and Minnesota ended up losing the matchup. Then during the Vikings’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, he let a potential interception slip through his gloves and it wound up in the hands of Jaguars receiver Laviska Shenault for a touchdown.

Then on special teams, Boyd has had some disappointing moments during Minnesota’s last few games. Not only did an illegal shift penalty wipe away his first career catch on a fake punt in Week 11, but he’s been flagged for an illegal block above the waist penalty while on punt coverage in each of the Vikings’ last three matchups.

Boyd has to start coming up with the big plays on defense and quit it with the penalties while on special teams. If not, it could result in a loss for Minnesota that could decrease their chance to get in the playoffs.