LINKS OF THE WEEK: Teddy vs. Carr
The Vikings have won four straight games. They’ve won on the road, against division foes and, most recently, against a team with a winning record. The Vikings are 6-2 and are now not only in the playoff conversation but also in the division championship conversation. Looking ahead at the schedule. the Vikings have some difficult match ups in front of them. Just a week ago, ESPN found that the Vikings have the hardest remaining schedule in the NFL. It seems like from this point forward, every week is going to be a tough game.
This week is no different as the Vikings travel to Oakland and take on a similarly young and up-and-coming team. Featuring some intriguing player parallels between the likes of Stefon Diggs and Amari Cooper as well as Anthony Barr and Khalil Mack, the duel most people are talking about are between the two sophomore quarterbacks, Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr. Both quarterbacks have had impressive early campaigns in their young careers and it should be fun to watch the two go head-to-head in what is hopefully a display of the NFL’s future at the position.
We still have a couple of days yet until these pillaging teams face off. In the meantime, we’ve compiled a bunch of links to get your prepared for the game and catch you up on the latest Vikings news.
- The Pro Bowl conversation has begun around the NFL. In VT’s latest Question of the Week, our staff chose who they would send to Hawaii from the Vikings if they could only select one person. My answer wasn’t submitted in time but, for the record, it would be Anthony Barr. How about you?
- We’ve officially reached the halfway point of the Vikings schedule and that means the PurpleFTW! Podcast is giving out some midseason awards. Check out the latest episode to find out who the winners are.
- Did you vote in our latest poll? Austin poses the question: “Is it time for the Vikings to start Trae Waynes?” How do you answer?
- More midseason recap as Lindsey Young reflects on the Vikings first eight games and offers some interesting observations.
- In case you haven’t heard, the NFL ended up deciding that the hit Rams CB Lamarcus Joyner put on Teddy Bridgewater last weekend was not worthy of a suspension. However, Joyner was fined $23,152 for the cheap shot that knocked Bridgewater out of the rest of the game.
- While we’re on the subject of injuries, the Vikings look to be getting healthy before their game against the Raiders this weekend. Shariff Floyd is officially making his return to the field, Teddy has passed all tests to this point and should be a go, and Mike Zimmer expects Barr and Kendricks to be ready to play this Sunday.
- Here’s a quick breakdown of the the history between the Raiders and the Vikings provided by the Daily Norseman.
- The Vikings defense is on pace to allow less than 300 points this season for the first time in 18 seasons. If it happens, it would be the seventh time in team history. Darren Campbell over at the Kick Ass Blog looks at the previous six Vikings teams that achieved this rare feat.
- It’s been a while since we’ve mentioned Matt Engstrom’s awesome Vikings t-shirts. Seriously, I love mine and wear it at least once a week. You should really buy one. It’s what all the cook kids are doing.
- Mike Zimmer breaks the world record for longest ‘beeeeeeeeep’ in an edited video of the head coach wired up against the Rams.
- A week or so ago, I created a custom Vikings wallpaper with the graphics I used in our Bold Predictions images. If you’d like, you can download it here.
- Congratulations to Vikings FB Zach Line who became a father this past Monday.
- Hard to believe considering the season he had last year and his preseason performance, but… Did you know that Blair Walsh is currently tied for the league lead with 19 made field goals?
- Check out how many people think the Raiders will get the best of the Vikings this Sunday on this website that logs the weekly picks of NFL “experts.”
- Here’s Pro Football Focus on why everyone should be taking the Vikings seriously.
- Sports Illustrated highlighted Linval Joseph, who also won the coveted Vikings Territory Player of the Week award, as a primary reason the Vikings continue to rise.
- Could Stefon Diggs end up being the rookie of the year? That and more is discussed in his recent interview with Rich Eisen.
- The NFC North Bar Room gives midseason grades to each NFC North team. Think the Vikings got an “A”?
- And finally, your moment of zen. Let’s just hope these two stick to terrorizing quarterbacks…