3 biggest Vikings scapegoats from the loss to the Packers in Week 17

Ed Donatell – Defensive Coordinator

Let’s start this off by saying what we all know. Ed Donatell is not perfect. The chances that Donatell is still with the Vikings next season are slim to none after a pretty abysmal first year with the team, as there have been lots of games where he is certainly to blame.

And even though there is blame to be cast his way from Minnesota’s most recent loss, it’s a lot less than some people are placing on him.

While the Packers scored 41 points this past weekend, only 27 of those actually came by way of their actual offense. Allowing 27 points is not great at all, but the Vikings’ offense and special teams really put the defense in a bind against Green Bay.

Minnesota’s offense accounted for four turnovers, one of which was a pick-six, and it also doesn’t help that Greg Joseph missed two kicks.

When playing at Lambeau Field, a team can’t give the Packers any momentum, and that is all the Vikings’ offense and special teams did for Green Bay in Week 17.

Minnesota lost by 24 points, yet they outgained the Packers in total yards, which is a hard feat. Donatell’s defense wasn’t perfect, but going up against Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is no easy task, especially when the Vikings’ offense continuously kept putting the ball back in his hands.