Minnesota Vikings Postseason History

Tonight, the Minnesota Vikings will play the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. It will be their 32nd appearance in postseason. Sadly, the Vikings have never won that final game. Here’s a look at their postseason history.

Playoff Record Summary:

Appearances: 32

Games: 52 games, 21-31

Wild Card Round: 15 games, 7-8

Divisional Round: 23 games, 10-13

Conference Championship: 10 games, 4-6

Super Bowl: 4 games, 0-4

1968:

Divisional: @ Baltimore Colts, lost 14-24

1969:

Divisional: Los Angeles Rams, won 23-20

Conference Championship: Cleveland Browns, won 27-7

Super Bowl: Kansas City Chiefs, lost 7-23

1970:

Divisional: San Francisco 49ers, lost 14-17

1971:

Divisional: Dallas Cowboys, lost 12-20

1973:

Divisional: Washington Redskins, won  27-20

Conference Championship: @ Dallas Cowboys, won 27-10

Super Bowl: Miami Dolphins, lost 7-24

1974:

Divisional: St. Louis Cardinals, won 30-14

Conference Championship: Los Angeles Rams, won 14-10

Super Bowl: Pittsburgh Steelers, lost 6-16

1975:

Divisional: Dallas Cowboys, robbed 14-17

1976:

Divisional: Washington Redskins, won 35-20

Conference Championship: Los Angeles Rams, won 24-13

Super Bowl: Oakland Raiders, lost 14-32

1977: 

Divisional: @Los Angeles Rams, won 14-7

Conference Championship: @Dallas Cowboys, lost 6-23

1978: 

Divisional: @Los Angeles Rams, lost 10-34

1980:

Divisional: @Philadelphia Eagles, lost 16-31

1982:

Wild Card: Atlanta Falcons, won 30-24

Divisional: @Washington Redskins, lost 7-21

1987:

Wildcard: @New Orleans Saints, won 44-10

Divisional: @San Francisco 49ers, won 36-24

Conference Championship: @Washington Redskins, lost 10-17

1988:

Wildcard: Los Angeles Rams, won 28-17

Divisional: @San Francisco 49ers, lost 9-34

1989:

Divisional: @San Francisco 49ers, lost 13-41

1992:

Wild Card: Washington Redskins, lost 7-24

1993:

Wild Card: @New York Giants, lost 10-17

1994:

Wild Card: Chicago Bears, lost 18-35

1996:

Wild Card: @Dallas Cowboys, lost 15-40

1997:

Wild Card: @New York Giants, won 23-22

Divisional: @San Francisco 49ers, lost 22-38

1998:

Divisional: Arizona Cardinals, won 41-21

Conference Championship: Atlanta Falcons, lost 27-30

1999:

Wild Card: Dallas Cowboys, won 27-10

Divisional: @Los Angeles Rams, lost 37-49

2000:

Divisional: New Orleans Saints, won 34-17

Conference Championship: @New York Giants, lost 0-41

2004

Wild Card: @Green Bay Packers, won 31-17

Divisional: @Philadelphia Eagles, lost 14-27

2008:

Wild Card: Philadelphia Eagles, lost 14-26

2009:

Divisional: Dallas Cowboys, won 34-3

Conference Championship: @New Orleans Saints, lost 28-31

2012:

Wild Card: @Green Bay Packers, lost 10-24

2015:

Wild Card: Seattle Seahawks, lost 9-10

2017:

Divisional: New Orleans Saints, won 29-24

Conference Championship: @Philadelphia Eagles, lost 10-27

2019:

Wild Card: @New Orleans Saints, won 26-20

Divisional: @San Francisco 49ers, lost 10-27

2022:

Wild Card: New York Giants, lost 24-31

2024: 

   ?

My Time All - Time Los Angeles Rams Team

In advance of Minnesota Vikings games I’ve been selecting All-Time teams of that week’s opponent. The Vikings play the Los Angeles Rams tomorrow night in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. It’s the second time this season that the two teams have played. The Vikings lost to the Rams in an October Thursday night game. Hopefully, this big game has a better result. To avoid doing something I’ve already done here’s something different. This is an All-Time Los Angeles Rams team made up of players that played during my time as a Vikings fan. 

Offense

Quarterback 

Kurt Warner

Running Back

Marshall Faulk

Fullback

Cullen Bryant

Wide Receivers

Harold Jackson

Isaac Bruce

Tight End

Tyler Higbee

Tackles

Orlando Pace

Jackie Slater

Guards

Tom Mack

Dennis Harrah

Center

Rich Saul

Defense

Defensive Ends

Jack Youngblood

Kevin Carter

Defensive Tackles

Merlin Olsen

Aaron Donald

Linebackers

Kevin Greene

Jack Reynolds

Isaiah Robertson

Cornerbacks

LeRoy Irvin

Jerry Gray

Safeties

Nolan Cromwell

Dave Elmendorf

Special Teams

Kicker

Jeff Wilkins

Punter

Johnny Hekker

Returner

Az-Zahir Hakim

Flea Flicker Wild Card Predictions

The NFL Playoffs kick off today. Here are some guesses at the Wild Card games.

Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings must rebound from their worst game of the season. 

Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

The Broncos got into the playoffs by beating the “B” team of the Kansas City Chiefs. They’ll get no such help from the Buffalo Bills.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens roll.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Houston Texans

Pick: Texans

I’m not sure if the Texans ever played to the expectations many had for them this season. Here’s a guess to them finally playing close to those expectations.

Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Packers

This is a prediction to get the Vikings a home game in the Divisional round. 

Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Commanders

This is a further attempt to get the Vikings a home game. 

Flea Flicker 2024 Awards

With the NFL’s 2024 regular season in the books and the playoffs about to start, it’s time for some Flea Flicker Awards. 

Most Valuable Player

Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

Offensive Player of the Year

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Defensive Player of the Year

Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB, Minnesota Vikings

Comeback Player of the Year

Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals 

Coach of the Year

Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Jared Verse, OLB, Los Angeles Rams

All-Pro Team

Quarterback

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Running Back

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles 

Fullback

Patrick Ricard, Baltimore Ravens

Wide Receivers

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Tight End

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Offensive Tackles

Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

Offensive Guards

Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons

Center

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Defense

Edge Rushers

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota Vikings

Interior Defensive Linemen

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles

Linebackers

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers

Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens

Cornerbacks

Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Derick Stingley, Houston Texans

Safeties

Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers

Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

Special Teams

Kicker

Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers

Punter

Logan Cooke, Jacksonville Jaguars 

Kick Returner

KaVontae Turner, Dallas Cowboys

Punt Returner

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos

Core Special Teamer

Trent Sherfield Sr., Minnesota Vikings

Long Snapper

Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings

Throwback Thursday: Pennsylvania Switcheroo

Here's a Throwback to a Flicker originally posted on February 21, 2011. It's about the "moving" early days of the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. For some reason this little NFL franchise tale has been on my mind. 

As my interest in football, and its history, has grown over the years, I've found many fascinating little nuggets. Some of the most fascinating involve the paths franchises have taken to form the league we know today. The paths taken by the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers may be the most fascinating of all.

The Steelers, called the Pirates initially, and the Eagles started innocently enough in 1933. That innocence would be shattered eight years later. In the first two decades of the NFL's existence, all teams struggled. All teams carried financial concerns. Most teams had performance concerns. The Eagles and the Steelers/Pirates had both. With their decades-long recent success, it may be difficult to think of the Steelers as a struggling team. The first 40 years were pretty much the exact opposite of the last 50. Pirates owner, Art Rooney, had reportedly lost as much as $150,000 over the first 8 years. Perhaps the name was the problem. To hopefully inspire a public connection to the team, Rooney changed his team's name to the Steelers in 1940. The Eagles weren't doing much better as the '40s opened. deBenneville (let's call him Bert) Bell was a rich kid with a passion for football. In owning the Eagles, he satisfied the latter at the expense of his father's money. Bert Bell was to become such an important figure in the league's history that it's a bit surprising how close he was to losing it all.  Even in those tough, naive early days, Bell made an impact on the league as the players selection draft (the NFL Draft) was his idea.

As Bell and Rooney were facing difficult choices, Alexis Thompson wanted a piece of the football game. Thompson, ironically, was the heir to the Republic Steel Corporation fortune. Preferring Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, Thompson first tried to buy the Eagles. Bell passed. So, Thompson tried the Steelers. Rooney was reluctant. Somewhere, somehow, Bell got the idea of Rooney selling the Steelers and then using that money to buy a half-ownership of the Eagles. According to Rooney, "Bell did all the dickering." Thompson bought the Steelers for about $160,000. Rooney then bought a 50% share of the Eagles for $80,000. Everything seemed fine. However, 4 months later, Thompson had not opened offices in Pittsburgh. It didn't seem that Thompson cared much for doing business in Pittsburgh. Fearful of his hometown losing its football team, Rooney proposed what his son, Dan, referred to as a "switcheroo." Rooney/Bell would trade the Eagles to Thompson for the Steelers. It was more a switch of cities than teams. No cash or other considerations were involved.  Thompson clearly preferred Philadelphia over Pittsburgh. Rooney and Bell actually picked their "favorite" players from the two teams to form the new Steelers team. Roughly half of each team switched to the other. Both reconfigured teams struggled in their first season, 1941, with the Steelers finishing 1-9-1 and the Eagles finishing 2-8-1. The Eagles won and tied in the match-ups of the two teams. The Steelers managed the first winning season in franchise history the following year as they finished with a 7-4 record in 1942. The Eagles stumbled to a 2-9 record. WWII jumbled the rosters and the league. The financial and player demands of the War years forced the Eagles and Steelers to join forces and form one team in 1943, the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Steagles. Better days were on the way. By the end of the decade, the Eagles were a powerhouse, winning championships in '48 and '49. For the Steelers the winning, a lot of winning, was still about thirty years away.

Franchise movement and changes were fairly common in the first few decades of the league.  In my opinion, none was as crazy as the "switcheroo" of the Steelers and Eagles. The current Colts' franchise history is kind of wacky, but that's for another day. NFL franchises are tracked kind of like pink slips.  Franchises are sold to another owner or back to the league (It's been quite a while since this has happened.) but the franchise can be tracked through different cities or incarnations. With that in mind, the team that we now know as the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of 6 Super Bowls, was the Philadelphia Eagles from 1933-1940. The team that we now know as the Philadelphia Eagles were once the Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers. Fascinating stuff.

NFL’s Head Coach Churn

The annual NFL Head Coach Churn has begun. For a few sad teams it started with a midseason firing. Three teams fired their head coach during the season. Two more teams fired their head coach within a day of the completion of the regular season. The Las Vegas joined the churn yesterday. Six head coach vacancies is a pretty light number. It feels like there’s often seven or eight, at least. Here are the six teams taking part in the this year’s NFL Head Coach Churn and an attempt at tracking those team’s interview requests.

Chicago Bears

Fired Matt Eberflus midseason

Interview Requests:

Joe Brady, Bills OC

Pete Carroll, former Seahawks HC

Brian Flores, Vikings DC

Aaron Glenn, Lions DC

Ben Johnson, Lions OC

Mike Kafka, Giants OC

Todd Monken, Ravens OC

Drew Petzing, Cardinals OC

David Shaw, former Stanford HC

Arthur Smith, Steelers OC

Anthony Weaver, Dolphins DC

Mike Vrabel, former Titans HC

The Bears requested and were denied an interview with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Fired Doug Pederson on Monday

Interview Requests:

Joe Brady, Bills OC

Liam Coen, Buccaneers OC

Aaron Glenn, Lions DC

Patrick Graham, Raiders DC

Ben Johnson, Lions OC

Todd Monken, Ravens OC

Kellen Moore, Eagles OC

Robert Saleh, former Jets HC

Las Vegas Raiders

Fired Antonio Pierce yesterday. 

Interview Requests:

Aaron Glenn, Lions DC

Ben Johnson, Lions OC

New England Patriots 

Fired Jerod Mayo on Sunday

Interview Requests:

Ben Johnson, Lions OC

Pep Hamilton, former Colts and Texans OC

Byron Leftwich, former Buccaneers OC

Mike Vrabel, former Titans HC

New Orleans Saints

Fired Dennis Allen midseason

Interview Requests:

Aaron Glenn, Lions DC

Mike Kafka, Giants OC

Kellen Moore, Eagles OC

David Shaw, former Stanford HC

Anthony Weaver, Dolphins DC

New York Jets

Fired Robert Saleh midseason

Interview Requests:

Joe Brady, Bills OC

Brian Flores, Vikings DC

Aaron Glenn, Lions DC

Vance Joseph, Broncos DC

Matt Nagy, Chiefs OC

Ron Rivera, former Panthers and Commanders HC

Darren Rizzi, Saints interim HC

Rex Ryan, former Jets and Bills HC

Bobby Slowik, Texans OC

Arthur Smith, Steelers OC

Mike Vrabel, former Titans HC

Minnesota Vikings Week 18 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings closed the 2024 season against division rival Detroit Lions. With both teams entering the game with sparkling 14-2 records, it was billed as one of the best matchups in regular season history. The winner of the game would win the NFC North and earn the NFC’s #1 seed. It was a big game. For three quarters it was a one-score game. Then it wasn’t. The Lions rose in the fourth quarter. The Vikings wilted. If it wasn’t for the Vikings defense, the score would’ve much worse than the one-sided 31-9 score that it was. The disappointing game didn’t yield many superlatives. Here’s an attempt at picking some. 

Offensive Players of the Game

Aaron Jones, RB

Cam Akers, RB

After 16 games of solid to spectacular play, Sam Darnold saved his worst game for the biggest game. He was high on most of this passes. He missed open receivers all over the field. He looked rattled in the pocket. He looked unsure at the snap. The Vikings had four opportunities in the red zone. Three of those were first-and-goal. They scored zero touchdowns. One thing missing in those opportunities were rushing attempts. Seeing as Aaron Jones and Cam Akers had some success running against the Lions defense, that was surprising. Akers’ 58-yard run on the first possession of the second half put the ball on the Lions five-yard line. The Vikings only ran once on the four plays that followed the big run. Two of those plays were from the two-yard line. 

Jones’ numbers:

10 carries 

45 yards

Akers’ numbers:

6 carries 

65 yards

With Darnold’s struggles, the entire offense was out of sync. If there were any positives on that side of the ball, it came from the run game.

Defensive Players of the Game

Jonathan Greenard, OLB

Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB

For the first three quarters, the Vikings defense was the game’s best group. Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were the game’s best players. Both players made splash plays. Both players made plays all over the field. 

Greenard’s numbers:

5 tackles

1 sack

2 tackles for loss

Van Ginkel’s numbers:

7 tackles 

1 tackle for loss

Van Ginkel nearly pulled off what could’ve/should’ve been the play that flipped the game for the Vikings. 

Early in the fourth quarter, he perfectly read a Lions screen pass attempt. He got a hand on the ball and had it in his hands with about 70 yards of open field in front of him. The ball slipped through his hands. At the time, the Lions led 17-9. The Vikings could’ve tied the score and gained the momentum edge. Van Ginkel has made this play before. I was certain that he’d done it again. Nope. This game didn’t play that way.

Vikings - Lions

What was that? This Minnesota Vikings - Detroit Lions game was for the NFC North title and the NFC’s #1 seed. Two 14-2 teams battling in one of the greatest regular season matchups ever. It didn’t play that way. The Lions took all the good things with a 31-9 win. The difference in the game was Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.

Considering the modest expectations that most had for the Vikings this season, this was the sort of game many expected from Sam Darnold. Who knows what went wrong. He looked off from the start. He often took snaps to zeroes on the play clock. He looked rattled and unsure in the pocket. He sailed passes to open receivers. Throughout the broadcast, Cris Collinsworth raved about the Lions defense. It didn’t look like it was the defense to me. Darnold had time. He had open receivers. He looked like the young, inexperienced quarterback that was seeing ghosts with the New York Jets. Through 16 games, Darnold played like the quarterback that the Jets hoped they were getting when they selected him with the third pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. For the final game of the regular season, the biggest game of the season, he looked like the quarterback that struggled mightily with the Jets and Carolina Panthers. Prior to this big game, his worst game as the Vikings quarterback was probably Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That game was bad because of the three red zones interceptions that he threw. That game was bad because of the reliance on four field goals to win the game. The Vikings were horrible in the red zone against the Jaguars. They were worse in last night’s big game. The Vikings had four red zone possessions against the Lions. Three of those were inside the 10. Six points. The Vikings scored six points when they had the opportunity to score 28. Six points! Justin Jefferson torched Amik Robertson and was wide open in the end zone. Darnold sailed the ball over his head. Jordan Addison was wide open in the flat. Darnold either didn’t see him or ignored him. Who knows what went wrong in this game. If the Vikings don’t figure it out, they won’t be in the playoffs long.

For just over three quarters, the Vikings defense looked like they might do enough to make up for the offense’s failures. With the Lions leading 17-9 early in the fourth quarter, Andrew Van Ginkel got a hand then his hands on a Jared Goff screen pass. A wide open field was in front of him. It was going to be an easy touchdown. I was already celebrating the game-changing play. It was going to be a touchdown that potentially tied the score and gave the Vikings a huge dose of momentum. The ball dropped through Van Ginkel’s hands. Within about five minutes of that potential game-flipping play, a one-score game became a three-score game. For three-quarters of the game, the Vikings defense completely frustrated the Lions explosive offense. The final quarter was the opposite. The Lions sailed down the field. With each failed Vikings offensive possession, the time of possession really started to lean the Lions way as the game entered the fourth quarter. The Vikings defense finally started to falter. 

Ultimately, the Vikings team failed in this game. They played nothing like the team that earned an opportunity to play for the division title and #1 seed. So, it’s off to Los Angeles and a wildcard playoff game against the Rams. It’s interesting and perhaps concerning that the Vikings two losses earlier in the season came in back-to-back games against the Lions and Rams. At least this time the Vikings have more than three days to recover from a loss to the Lions. The Vikings-Rams wildcard matchup is Monday night. Sam Darnold has a full week to get right. 

My Time All - Time Detroit Lions Team

In advance of Minnesota Vikings games I’ve been selecting All-Time teams of that week’s opponent. The Vikings play division foes twice. To avoid doing something I’ve already done here’s something different. This is an All-Time Detroit Lions team made up of players that played during my time as a Vikings fan. 

Offense

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford

Running Back

Barry Sanders

Fullback

Dexter Bussey

Wide Receivers

Calvin Johnson

Herman Moore

Tight End

Charlie Sanders

Offensive Tackles

Lomas Brown

Penei Sewell

Offensive Guards

Rob Sims

Bob Kowalkowski

Center

Frank Ragnow

Defense

Defensive Ends

Al “Bubba” Baker

Robert Porcher

Defensive Tackles

Doug English

Ndamukong Suh

Linebackers

Mike Cofer

Chris Spielman

DeAndre Levy

Cornerbacks

Lem Barney

Darius Slay

Safeties

Bennie Blades

Glover Quinn

Special Teams

Kicker 

Matt Prater

Punter

Sam Martin

Kick Returner

Mel Gray

Flea Flicker Week 18 Predictions

Week 18! That’s too damn many games. The NFL should be looking into reducing the number of games. Not increasing. Anyway, here are some guesses at the games being played in Week 18.

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Vikings

The biggest game of the week is the final game of the week. Nearly everyone had the Lions winning the NFC North. Nearly no one had the Vikings challenging the Lions for the division title. 

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

Saturday is AFC North Day. All four teams are playing. The former Browns cruise past the current Browns for the division title.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Bengals 

The Bengals stun the Steelers and hope for some help on Sunday.

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons 

Pick: Panthers 

The Panthers have been frisky down the stretch. 

Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Commanders

This has to be Mike McCathy’s final game as the Cowboys head coach. Then again, it’s the Cowboys. 

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Packers

The Packers cruise to a sparking 12-5 record and third place in the NFC North. 

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans 

Pick: Texans

The Texans roll. 

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

The Colts do what they should’ve done last week against the Giants. Win.

Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots

Pick: Bills

If the Bills want to win this game, they will. 

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Eagles

If the Eagles want to win this game, they will.

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

The Buccaneers win the NFC South.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos 

Pick: Broncos

The Broncos should score more than the Chiefs “B” Team.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Chargers 

The Chargers roll.

Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams

The Rams are in the playoffs. The Seahawks aren’t. Perhaps only pride is at stake in this game.

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

Pick: Dolphins

If the Dolphins can play better in the New Jersey cold than they did in the Green Bay cold, they should win.

San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Cardinals

Another game with only pride riding on it. 

The Pro Bowl Rosters Are Out!

The Pro Bowl rosters were announced yesterday. I was beginning to wonder when that might happen. With this weekend’s games being the last of the NFL regular season, it had to be soon. It was yesterday. The Minnesota Vikings placed six players on the NFC roster.

Sam Darnold, QB

Justin Jefferson, WR

Jonathan Greenard, OLB

Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB

Byron Murphy Jr., CB

Andrew DePaola, LS

Some Vikings Pro Bowl notes:

-all but Darnold were named as starters

-Darnold, Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Murphy made the Pro Bowl for the first time

-this is Jefferson’s fourth Pro Bowl

-this is DePaola’s third Pro Bowl

-Darnold, Greenard, and Van Ginkel were signed as free agents last offseason

-Murphy was signed as a free agent in 2023

-Jefferson is the only 2024 Pro Bowler drafted by the Vikings

-six is the largest Vikings Pro Bowl contingent since 2009

Seven Vikings were selected as Pro Bowl alternates:

C.J. Ham, FB (1st)

Garrett Bradbury (3rd)

Josh Metellus (3rd)

T.J. Hockenson (4th)

Brian O’Neill (4th)

Trent Sherfield, ST (4th)

Harrison Phillips, DT (6th)

2024 Pro Bowl Rosters

NFC

Offense

(*-starter)

Quarterback 

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions*

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

Running Back

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles*

Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Fullback

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers*

Wide Receiver

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings*

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions*

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

Tight End 

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers*

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

Offensive Tackle

Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles*

Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions*

Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Offensive Guard

Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles*

Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys*

Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons

Center

Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions*

Cam Jurgens, Philadelphia Eagles 

Defense

Defensive End

Nick Bozo, San Francisco 49ers*

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys*

Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers

Interior Linemen

Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles*

Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants*

Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Outside Linebacker

Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings*

Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota Vikings*

Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams

Inside Linebacker

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers*

Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles 

Cornerback

Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears* 

Byron Murphy Jr., Minnesota Vikings*

Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers

Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks

Free Safety

Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers*

Strong Safety

Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals*

Brian Branch, Detroit Lions

Special Teams

Long Snapper

Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings*

Punter

Jack Fox, Detroit Lions*

Kicker

Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys*

Return Specialist

KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys*

Special Teams

KhaDarel Hodge, Atlanta Falcons*

AFC

Offense

Quarterback

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills*

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Running Back

Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens*

Joe Mixon, Houston Texans

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts 

Fullback

Patrick Ricard, Baltimore Ravens*

Wide Receiver

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals*

Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns*

Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

Tight End

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders*

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs 

Offensive Tackle

Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills*

Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans*

Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers

Offensive Guard

Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts*

Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs*

Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

Center

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs*

Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens 

Defense

Defensive End

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns*

Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals*

Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Interior Linemen

Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers*

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs*

Nnambi Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens

Outside Linebacker

Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos*

T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers*

Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

Inside Linebacker

Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens*

Zaire Franklin, Indianapolis Colts

Cornerback

Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans*

Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos*

Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens

Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns

Free Safety

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers*

Strong Safety

Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens*

Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers

Special Teams

Long Snapper

Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville Jaguars*

Punter

Logan Cooke, Jacksonville Jaguars*

Kicker

Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers*

Return Specialist

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos*

Special Teams

Brenden Schooler, New England Patriots*

Throwback Thursday: All - Time NFC North Team

The NFC North has been an NFL division since the league’s realignment in 2002. Here's a look at the best players to play each position in the short history of this thrilling division.

Offense

Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Running backs
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Fullback
John Kuhn, Green Bay Packers

Receivers
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings 

Moss only played in the NFC North for three seasons (2010 doesn't count). That's enough for me. His three years were that fantastic.

Tackles
Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings

Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

This might be a bit early for both but both have immediately proved to be dynamite. 

Guards
Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota Vikings
Kyle Long, Chicago Bears

Center
Matt Birk, Minnesota Vikings

Defense

Defensive ends 
Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings
Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers

Defensive tackles
Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
Kevin Willaims, Minnesota Vikings

Linebackers
Anthony Barr, Minnesota Vikings 
Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears
Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears

Cornerbacks
Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers
Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings

Safeties
Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Nick Collins, Green Bay Packers

Kicker
Ryan Longwell, Green Bay Packers/Minnesota Vikings 

Punter
Nick Harris, Detroit Lions

Returner
Devin Hester, Chicago Bears

Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 Modern-Era Finalists

On Saturday, the 15 Modern-era Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 were announced. The list of football greats includes five players in their first year of eligibility, nine returning finalists, and a first-time finalist in his fourth year of eligibility. 

The Finalists:

Jared Allen

Eric Allen

Willie Anderson

Jahri Evans

Antonio Gates

Torry Holt

Luke Kuechly

Eli Manning

Steve Smith Sr.

Terrell Suggs

Fred Taylor

Adam Vinatieri

Reggie Wayne

Darren Woodson

Marshal Yanda

The five players in their first year of eligibility:

Luke Kuechly

Eli Manning

Terrell Suggs

Adam Vinatieri

Marshal Yanda

Of the remaining 10 finalists, Steve Smith Sr. is the only one that’s a first-time finalist. The other nine have been through this before. Some have been through it too many times. 

The only finalist from last year that didn’t make it this year is Rodney Harrison. I wonder what changed.

This is Jared Allen’s fifth time as a finalist. He’s been eligible for five years. He’s reached the final 10 the past two years. Somehow, for some reason, Dwight Freeney leapfrogged him last year despite being behind Allen in the queue the year before. Enough! This is Allen’s time. 

So, what happens next? 

The fate of the 15 Modern-era finalists will be discussed, debated and decided prior to Super Bowl LIX. The Hall of Fame fates of Seniors Finalists, Coach Finalist, and Contributor Finalist will also be discussed, debated, and decided. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be announced on February 6 during the NFL Honors broadcast.

Seniors Finalists:

Maxie Baughan

Jim Tyrer

Sterling Sharpe

Coach Finalist:

Mike Holmgren

Contributor Finalist:

Ralph Hay

There are new rules regarding the voting of the Seniors, Coach, and Contributor finalists. Instead of dealing with each separately, they are dealt with as a group at this stage. Of the five finalists, as many as three and as few as one can make it. For whatever reason, the Hall has made it much more difficult for the Seniors. Seeing as there are still so many deserving players from the early decades of the league, this change was a giant step in the wrong direction. 

Here’s how I see the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Jared Allen

Antonio Gates

Torry Holt

Luke Kuechly

Willie Anderson

Maxie Baughan 

Jim Tyrer

Ralph Hay

The new rules regarding the Senior, Coach, and Contributor are ridiculous. All five should make it this year. I believe the voters will probably go with Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe, and Mike Holmgren. They’ll probably scratch Ralph Hay from the list simply because his league days were the first few years of the 1920s. Despite being tasked with overseeing and respecting the entire history of professional football, many of the voters have narrowed that time frame to their own lifetime. Those clowns shouldn’t be in the room. The voters will probably use off-the-field issues to eliminate Jim Tyrer. 

Antonio Gates is probably the lone automatic pick. Jared Allen should be but his past experience with the voters probably makes him less than a certainty. A receiver logjam is forming again. To ease that, a receiver should be included. Torry Holt edges Reggie Wayne and Steve Smith Sr. If it weren’t for the surprising Hall of Fame wait of Patrick Willis, I’d have Luke Kuechly as first-year certainty. Willis’ wait was a puzzle. Willis and Kuechly were two of the best off-the-ball linebackers of my lifetime. I thought both had careers that warranted first-year Hall of Fame induction. If Willis had to wait a couple years, I wouldn’t be surprised if the voters forced Kuechly to also wait. Who knows? I like Willie Anderson or Darren Woodson to round out the Class. 

The Class I’d like to see:

Jared Allen

Antonio Gates

Luke Kuechly

Steve Smith Sr.

Terrell Suggs

Maxie Baughan

Sterling Sharpe

Ralph Hay

If Allen makes it this, I’m in Canton in August for the great event. It would be fourth Induction experience. In each of the previous three, a former Baltimore Ravens was inducted. Terrell Suggs would make it four-for-four. Kuechly and Smith Sr. were two of my favorite players of the past 25 years. It’d be fun to see them receive their much-deserved Gold Jackets.