Vikings Suffer Historic Shutout,Coach O’Connell Calls Offensive Performance “Unacceptable”
The Minnesota Vikings were shut out by the Seattle Seahawks 0-13 in Week 13,marking the franchise’s first scoreless game since 2007 and hitting a new low point in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s tenure. The loss drops the Vikings to 4-8 on the season, extending their losing streak to four consecutive games.
O’Connell didn’t mince words following the defeat, stating, “We just did not have the type of an offensive performance that is ever going to be acceptable with the Minnesota Vikings organization.” He took full responsibility, emphasizing the issue was collective rather than attributable to any single player. The Vikings offense managed only 162 total yards and 11 first downs against a stout Seahawks defense.
Contributing factors included injuries to the offensive line – center ryan Kelly was ruled out during the game with a hip injury, joining other starters already sidelined – and the struggles of rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, who was making a start in hopes of providing an offensive spark. O’Connell noted the team’s inability to string together consistent plays, saying, “We just never could really make that one or two or three in a row kind of play…When we did move it, we weren’t able to sustain it long enough to get in the end zone.”
O’Connell acknowledged the team is ”pressing” offensively, with players attempting to make impactful plays. He suggested a potential shift in strategy, stating, “Maybe we’ve got to try to limit what we’re asking of the group as a whole, especially with some different guys stepping into the lineup, just to try to get some more consistency at the very least to try to give ourselves a better chance.”
the vikings have lost six of their last seven games as their week 6 bye and will look to rebound against the Washington Commanders next Sunday.
