Winners and Losers of Week 16 vs Rams

The Vikings lost 30-27 in a game against the Los Angeles that had major playoff implications with the outcome for both sides. These lists are in no particular order as well just listed.

5 Winners of Thursdays game

1. Anthony Barr:

Anthony Barr has had a real "prove it" type of season and has done just that. Barr recorded 7 Tackles, 2 PD's and 2 INTs. These 2 INT's came inside of the RedZone being very clutch for the offense if they could have scored 6 in both opportunities. Barr just had 3 regular season interceptions in his career before Sunday's game. He is making a case for someone to pay him, whether that is Minnesota or not is to be determined.

2. Sheldon Richardson:

Sheldon Richardson once again had a good game for the Vikings. He has been a quiet producer for this defense for weeks now and did it again on Sunday. Richardson had a pass deflection nearly leading to an interception which was dropped...again.

3. Patrick Peterson:

Patrick Peterson had a very good game matching specifically against Odell Beckham Jr. The notable play of the game for him was a pass deflection in the endzone nearly leading to an INT by Kris Boyd. As well, as another pass breakup in the endzone against OBJ again.

4. Dalvin Tomlinson:

Tomlinson had a very solid game, despite the run game not being great. He had the pass deflection leading to Anthony Barr's second interception of the game, being a turning point in the second half of the game.

5. K.J. Osborn:

The reason K.J. Osborn is here and Justin Jefferson is not is to acknowledge how K.J. has stepped up with a hurt Adam Thielen. Osborn got a lot of hate last season for being a bad kick returner but has stepped up tremendously in the passing game this season as a WR3. He had 5 catches, 68 yards, and a touchdown with Thielen only playing about half of the snaps.

Losers of Thursdays game

1. Mike Zimmer:

This was a must-win game for the Vikings to make the playoffs and now are in a tough situation having to rely on other teams to decide their fate. Once again Mike Zimmer did not show up in a critical game until the second half. Is it fair to give him all of the blame? No, but he is the head coach and should take a good amount of it.

2. Kirk Cousins:

Kirk went 27/38 for 315 yards, 1 TD, and an INT. Numbers-wise Kirk had a solid game but did not show up until the second half which seems to be a reoccurring theme for this team in general. He did not have much help from the offensive line and running game with Dalvin Cook out, but he is getting paid too much to use this as an excuse for every loss.

3. Klint Kubiak:

I think it is safe to say that Klint likely will not be back next season unless we see some crazy turnaround leading us to the playoffs. The game planning for some of these big games just has not been good and something needs to change if we want to make any sort of effort to make the playoffs. Clearly something is wrong with our blocking schemes when Aaron Donald is running around our players like we don't even see him.

4. Mackensie Alexander:

Mack has probably been the biggest disappointment from last free agency aside from Bashaud Breeland. It seems as if every game that gets iced against the Vikings has been the result of Mack either falling or just getting straight up beat by the receiver.

5. Special Teams:

Surprisingly, the special teams have been pretty solid this season for the Vikings under Ryan Ficken. Unfortunately, they are the partial reason for the momentum change of a comeback had seemed plausible in the second half.