The Minnesota Vikings are granting Nick Mullens another start quarterback in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions.
Mullens threw for 303 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in Saturday’s overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The 7-7 Vikings are currently the sixth seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that Mullens will continue to work toward eliminating turnovers in preparation for the home start on Christmas Eve.
Detroit (10-4) beat the Denver Broncos last week and remains in the running for the NFC’s No. 1 seed and lone first-round bye. The Lions and Vikings also play Week 18 in the regular-season finale at Detroit.
Saturday was Mullens’ first start in place of Kirk Cousins. The Vikings started Jaren Hall and Joshua Dobbs for four-plus games in the aftermath of Cousins’ season-ending Achilles injury in Week 8.
Mullens replaced Dobbs during the Vikings’ 3-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 10. He finished 26-for-33 passing in the loss to Cincinnati.
O’Connell said Sunday he graded Mullens favorably afterward, saying he “showed he can execute our offense.”
