From a suggestion by a reader, we author a “snap reactions” weekly piece detailing thoughts and analysis after a Minnesota Vikings game (and in this case, bye week and other NFL games).
This will be off-the-cuff, a wee bit “random,” and hopefully insightful.
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- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers bludgeoned the Chicago Bears, 38-3. If you wanted the Vikings to draft Justin Fields, that’s fine. But he ain’t it yet. The 2021 season for Minnesota with Fields at the helm would’ve been disastrous. Of course, he still has many years to develop. Yet, the 2021 Vikings and Fields are not a good mix to kick around in your head.
- Minnesota is now in sole possession of 2nd place in the NFC North thanks to the Bears flatulence in Tampa. Even though they won’t be, the games for the Vikings versus the Bears seem to be “easy” ones on a brutal remaining schedule. But again, matchups against Chicago are rarely easy.
- The Detroit Lions employed a lot of trickery against the Los Angeles Rams. With nothing to lose, look for Dan Campbell’s bunch to try that voodoo against Minnesota in Week 13 — you know, like going for two to beat an opponent on the road at the end of a game. Against the Lions in six weeks is the other not-ruthless game on the Vikings remaining docket.
- More and more, it feels like the only way Minnesota could win the NFC North is by toppling the Green Bay Bay Packers twice. They play Green Bay in Week 11 and Week 17. The Vikings haven’t beaten the Packers twice in a season since 2017 (mostly Rodgers-less affairs). With Rodgers in charge, Minnesota has only defeated Green Bay twice in a season once — 2009.
- Expect Patrick Jones II to see playing time with Stephen Weatherly traded to the Denver Broncos. By default, Jones almost has to see at least 20% of rotational defensive snaps.
- If general manager Rick Spielman makes no more trades, Harrison Hand will probably see more playing time with Patrick Peterson down for three games. To date, Hand appears to be a gamer. Let’s see if it continues in Hand’s second year.
- Minnesota needs the good, motivated version of Bashaud Breeland in the next three games sans Peterson. It is mandatory against the next three batches of opposing wide receivers.
- Former Vikings Taylor Heinicke is fun to watch most of the time, but he flat-out is a mediocre quarterback. He will return to a QB2 by the start of 2022 or so.
- The Atlanta Falcons quietly have the same record as the Vikings.
- After the Carolina Panthers barely scored versus the otherwise lowly New York Giants, the Vikings win last week over Carolina doesn’t look all that impressive.
- Conversely, the Cincinnati Bengals are the real deal at 5-2. Crushing the Ravens in Baltimore was the ultimate and proverbial statement win. Minnesota lost to a very good football team in Week 1.
- Perhaps the Kansas City Chiefs simply aren’t very good. We keep waiting for them to right the ship, but their offense and defense are no good. Like the Seattle Seahawks, they could be on the cusp of a lost season. However, with Mahomes in charge, that funeral feels foolish to announce. Who knows.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).