Adam Thielen’s surprising healthy scratch against the Seahawks

ByNBAUSA



The The Minnesota Vikings entered Week 13 looking for answersbut instead they came out with more questions after an ugly 26-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks — a blowout that exposed every flaw. Vikings fans have come to expect veteran stability from Adam Thielenbut he never touched the field. Kevin O’Connell called it “coach’s decision,” and that brief explanation added weight to a night in which nothing seemed simple. The Seahawks attacked every inch of the field. The Vikings struggled to match him. And the team’s playoff hopes edged closer to the brink.

The decision to sit Adam Thielen was no drama. It was about depth. Kevin O’Connell hinted that other spots are hurting, and wide receiver was one of the few positions that remained healthy. Still, seeing Thielen inactive during a must-win stretch for the Vikings had its sting. He was a voice in difficult times, someone who understood how quickly seasons can turn. But the Vikings needed bodies elsewhere, and gambled they could survive without him. They didn’t.

Vikings exclusion, a message and a stark reminder

The The Seahawks didn’t just take control. They imposed it on the Vikings. Mike MacDonald’s defense played with power, speed and clarity — the kind that moves deep into December. It was the Seahawks’ first indoor win in 10 yearsand it felt earned shot after shot. They showed why they can hang in the NFC West race. They showed why their ceiling seems higher than the record suggests.

Meanwhile, the Vikings dropped their fourth straight to fall to 4-8 with the loss. The door to the playoffs isn’t closed, but the climb seems almost vertical now. O’Connell emphasized that every pick is about giving the Vikings the best chance to win. But after a night like this, fans can’t help but wonder: what moves, and what voices, it can still cause a turnaround before it’s too late?





2025-12-01 14:03:00

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