Nick Mullens #12 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. ((Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions on Christmas Eve at U.S. Bank Stadium, and Nick Mullens will get his second straight start at quarterback.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell made that decision official during a conference call with reporters Monday afternoon. He was 26-of-33 passing for 303 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Saturday’s 27-24 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I thought Nick did a lot of really good things in the football game on Saturday, moved the team, we had our first 100-yard rusher and he threw for over 300 yards, all positive things," O'Connell said. "Nick knows we also need to limit those and eliminate those critical errors where we turn the ball over in the red zone with chances for points twice."
Mullens hit Jordan Addison for both touchdowns. The first from 37 yards out gave the Vikings a 14-3 lead in the third quarter. Mullens was nearly sacked on the play, and Addison caught the ball before it the turf and had nothing but green grass in front of him. The second, from 1-yard out, gave the Vikings a 24-17 lead with 3:48 to play.
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The Vikings couldn’t hold either lead, and the offensive play calling in overtime received some criticism after Mullens failed to get a first down on consecutive sneaks with Minnesota on the doorstep of a game-winning field goal in overtime. Mullens also had two first half interceptions that likely cost the Vikings six points.
He was intercepted trying to force a pass to Justin Jefferson at the goal line. He was also intercepted while trying to throw the ball away instead of taking a sack with Minnesota in field goal range.
Mullens got the nod at Cincinnati after leading the Vikings to their only scoring drive in a 3-0 win at the Las Vegas Raiders two weeks ago. He’s now 5-13 for his career as a starter.
The Vikings are 7-7 with three games to play, and likely need to go no worse than 2-1 to feel good about getting into the NFC Playoffs. The Lions can clinch their first NFC North Division title since 1993 with a win over the Vikings.
VIKINGS OPEN PRACTICE WINDOW FOR LB JORDAN HICKS
O'Connell also said Monday the Vikings are opening the 21-day practice window for linebacker Jordan Hicks, who has been out since suffering a leg injury in the Nov. 12 win over the New Orleans Saints. Hicks had to be hospitalized with compartment syndrome in his right shin, and has been on injured reserve since.
Hicks is a team captain and is third on the defense with 87 tackles.
"I think it’s huge. What Jordan brings from a communication standpoint in that huddle, he can be an extension of Flo (Brian Flores) out there. He’s the heart and soul as far as the leadership goes on our defense," O'Connell said.