]

GOOD NEWS: Vikings Get Good News 3 Days Prior to Crucial Game Against Packers… H

The Minnesota Vikings could be a team of destiny this season, and they just got a couple of updates that go a long way toward validating those vibes.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported two pieces of positive injury news for the Vikings defense on Thursday, December 26, just three days before the team hosts the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium in what will be Minnesota’s final home contest of the regular season.

“Vikings safety Harrison Smith was a full participant Thursday and remains on track to play Sunday vs. Packers,” Seifert posted to X. “We’ll see how the Vikings handle [middle linebacker] Ivan Pace Jr., whose IR window is open, but it’s notable he has had full participation all week.”

Minnesota is 13-2 on the year and tied with the Detroit Lions for the lead in the NFC North Division as well as the race for the conference’s No. 1 playoff seed, which comes with the NFC’s sole bye through Super Wildcard Weekend. However, the Lions bested the Vikings by a score of 31-29 in Week 7, which means Detroit currently holds the tiebreak in both races.

But regardless of what happens anywhere else across the league’s slate of Week 17 matchups, including a Lions’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota and Detroit will play for both the division and conference crowns at Ford Field in Week 18 if the Vikings can hold court against the Packers on Sunday.

Minnesota is currently a 1-point favorite to beat Green Bay after opening the week as a 1.5-point favorite.

Harrison Smith Missed Last Week’s Game Against Seahawks With Foot Injury

Smith, a six-time Pro Bowler and a defensive captain for the Vikings, has started 14 of 15 games this season.

However, he missed last week’s road contest against the Seattle Seahawks with a foot injury and was a DNP at practice on Wednesday, which cast some doubt upon his status against the Packers this weekend.

Smith has tallied 55 solo tackles, 7 quarterback pressures, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and 1 sack thus far in 2024, per Pro Football Focus.

Ivan Pace Jr. Crucial Part of Vikings’ Run Defense, Pass Rush

Having Smith back will be a boon for Minnesota’s pass and run defenses, while Pace’s potential return will mean a great deal to the run defense specifically as well as the pass rush.

“While Pace has been out, the Vikings’ run defense that had been the best in the league has struggled a bit, though it still retains its standing among the top run defenses in the NFL,” Christopher Gates of SB Nation’s Daily Norseman wrote on Christmas Day. “Pace’s return should help significantly against a Green Bay team that has shown a pretty solid commitment to running the ball in recent weeks.”

Pace has started all nine contests in which he has been healthy enough to play this season. Across those games, the linebacker has recorded 32 solo tackles, 15 quarterback pressures, 3 sacks and a fumble return for a touchdown, per PFF.

The Vikings defense has been at least as important, if not more so, to the team’s unexpected run this season as the offense. Having Smith and Pace back in the lineup (if both are able to go) should provide a huge boost to Minnesota in its second-to-last game of the year.

JUST ME BRO and TRUST ME BRO!

Related Posts

Los Dodgers dicen que los agentes de inmigración negaron la entrada al estadio de Los Ángeles porque... - wiwisss

Los Dodgers dicen que los agentes de inmigración negaron la entrada al estadio de Los Ángeles porque… – wiwisss

Los Dodgers de Los Ángeles se han visto en el centro de una creciente conversación nacional tras revelarse que a agentes de inmigración se les negó la entrada

ÚLTIMA HORA: La MLB multa a Dave Roberts de los Dodgers con $25,000 por reiterados comentarios de "Jódete" hacia el árbitro durante... - wiwisss

ÚLTIMA HORA: La MLB multa a Dave Roberts de los Dodgers con $25,000 por reiterados comentarios de “Jódete” hacia el árbitro durante… – wiwisss

En una escena impactante y violenta que ya ha resultado en medidas disciplinarias formales, las Grandes Ligas de Béisbol anunciaron hoy que el mánager de los Dodgers…

BREAKING NEWS: NIKE Brand unexpectedly proposed to cooperate with New York Mets, committed to being one of the biggest sponsors of the team from now on with the only condition that they play at least 1 official match wearing LGBT-themed shoes to promote gender equality across the United States... - Mariku

BREAKING NEWS: NIKE Brand unexpectedly proposed to cooperate with New York Mets, committed to being one of the biggest sponsors of the team from now on with the only condition that they play at least 1 official match wearing LGBT-themed shoes to promote gender equality across the United States… – Mariku

In a move that stunned both the sports and fashion industries, Nike has officially announced a long-term sponsorship agreement with the New York Mets. The

BREAKING NEWS: Elon Musk 'Shocked' After Visiting New Citi Field, Offers Partnership to Turn Mets Into Largest Ballpark of the Century!. - Mariku

BREAKING NEWS: Elon Musk ‘Shocked’ After Visiting New Citi Field, Offers Partnership to Turn Mets Into Largest Ballpark of the Century!. – Mariku

Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, recently toured the newly renovated Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. Known for his passion

HOT🛑 MLB has expressed disappointment after seeing Carlos Mendoza check into his Mexico City hotel with an adult film actress... Full Details in comments👇. - SSS

HOT🛑 MLB has expressed disappointment after seeing Carlos Mendoza check into his Mexico City hotel with an adult film actress… Full Details in comments👇. – Mariku

Major League Baseball (MLB) is facing significant disappointment following reports that Carlos Mendoza, a prominent figure in the league, was seen checking

Brian Snitker Causes a Storm with Harsh Statement on Transgender Sports: “Why argue? Women are women, and men are men. You are born with what you are born with.". - SSS

Brian Snitker Causes a Storm with Harsh Statement on Transgender Sports: “Why argue? Women are women, and men are men. You are born with what you are born with.”. – SSS

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker is facing mounting backlash after a blunt and controversial comment about transgender participation in sports during a