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The 2025 season isn’t what the Minnesota Vikings had in mind after going 14-3 last year.
Entering Sunday, the Vikings had lost four straight games, falling to 4-8 with playoff hopes very low heading into a contest against the Washington Commanders. But when the clock hit zero at U.S. Bank Stadium, the scoreboard read 31-0 in favor of the home team.
The Vikings looked like their dominant selves from a season ago, and a pre-game message from head coach Kevin O’Connell could be a main reason why.
Defensive captain Harrison Smith was choked up in the Vikings’ locker room after snapping their four-game win streak, where he told FOX 9 KMSP that O’Connell wanted his team to channel their high school selves. It’s a relevant message because, when play

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