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Minnesota coach Brad Childress is going with a unique concept, using the Vikings’ first-round bye for exactly what it was meant for — rest.
Childress has given the Vikings the entire week off as the coaching staff begins work on the Eagles and Cowboys, two of the possible playoff opponents the Vikings didn’t face this season. The players aren’t due to report back until the team resumes practice Sunday.
“It’s not a hard decision at this point in time, with where we’re at, the ages of our team, our leaders, our players,” Childress said. “You also factor the young guys. We have a lot of young guys playing. You have to remember that those young guys are just used to going through a college season. This bowl week here, playing all the way through December.
“I just think that rest serves us the best, and you have to make the bye serve you, from a mental standpoint, from a physical standpoint. It’s not going to do us any good to sit and grind on the unknowns of somebody you might not play.”
Childress also noted he isn’t worried about momentum during the bye, saying the team will be able to recapture it. So, for the Vikings, in the 18th week, there is rest.
