One Viking Totally Reclaimed His Season vs. Packers
by a score of 27-25.
 celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Sam Darnold (14) against Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25080896.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25080896.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/USATSI_25080896.jpg” alt><figcaption> Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Nailor hadn’t logged over 20 receiving yards in a game since Week 7, a loss at home against the Detroit Lions. In fact, Nailor had morphed into a footnote in the Vikings’ offense, completely overshadowed by tight end T.J. Hockenson’s season debut in Week 9. In short, Nailor had basically vanished.</p>
<p>But on Sunday, with Minnesota needing a win, plus another next weekend at the Detroit Lions for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, Nailor re-arrived, tabulating 5 receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Sam Darnold trusted Nailor all game, the first noteworthy such example in about 2.5 months.</p>
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Nailor spoke rather nonchalantly about his performance — almost like he expected it — invoking a lunchpail attitude about his 81 yards: “It felt good to be out there and help the team win, you know. That’s all I’m trying to do — help the team win and get on to the next game. That’s just my focus.”
 celebrates scoring a touchdown with teamates during their football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, December 29, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. @ Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/three.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=618,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/three.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/three.jpg” alt><figcaption>Minnesota wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) celebrates scoring a touchdown with teamates during their football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, December 29, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. @ Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Nailor was asked if his Packers outing could be viewed as a redemption game because he dropped a few passes throughout the season, but he downplayed the angle. Instead, he focused on the team implication and claimed the season is very much in front of Minnesota. “It feels amazing, but the season’s still not over yet. That’s going to be our mindset until we can’t play no more. I try to enjoy it a little, but but we’re back to work tomorrow,” Nailor said.</p>
<p>The Vikings travel to Detroit for a date with the Lions on Sunday night, and if Minnesota prevails, it will own homefield advantage in the postseason for the first time since 1998.</p>
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
