A short memory is needed in this game against the Rams that has been moved because of the Los Angeles wildfires to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. SoFi Stadium is not an intimidating home field compared to Ford Field in Detroit or Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, but this move should work out in the Vikings’ favor.

The Detroit Lions defense held Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold to a 43.9% completion percentage and just 166 yards passing in a 31-9 win.

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are playing the Minnesota Vikings for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but if they lose, they’ll drop to No. 5. That means they would have to go on the road next weekend for the wildcard round. Since the Los Angeles Rams are locked into the No. 4 seed, the Lions would head to SoFi Stadium for a rematch with Matthew Stafford.

Sam Darnold put forth a career performance for the Minnesota Vikings this season, ranking among the NFL's top 10 quarterbacks in passing yardage, touchdown throws, passer rating and winning percentage.

Seven days separated two visuals that could not have been more in contrast if you hung a portrait of Quasimodo next to the Mona Lisa. There was Sam Darnold, after defeating the Packers, hoisted atop teammates' shoulders,

Sam Darnold is on track to reach free agency in March and understands what's at stake regarding his short- and long-term futures.

The Vikings opened this season predicted by both data and actual humans to finish with around seven victories. Even the more optimistic prognosticators looked at their roster and figured a 10-win year was about the ceiling of this team.