MINNEAPOLIS -- After a 37-35 victory over the Detroit Lions in the finale on Sunday, Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer rattled off many factors that contributed to a 7-9 season.
They had several good players get hurt, especially on defense. They were affected by nose tackle Michael Pierce's decision to opt out of the season because of COVID-19 concerns. They had opportunities to win games and blew it, like one-point losses to the Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. And frankly, they weren't good enough to be in the playoffs.