Oct 3, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) congratulates wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) who is celebrating a touchdown reception from quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) against the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
For the first time this season, it is primetime for the Minnesota Vikings. The world will be watching as they go head to head with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football this Halloween.
For Vikings fans, the term primetime conjures up emotions of late. For me and the rest of the UK-based fans, it’s preparation for a late night and lack of sleep – I talked about that recently on Purple PTSD.
Talk of Kirk Cousins primetime record will assuredly arise. Despite his poor record on Monday nights, he finally exorcised with a win over Chicago last year. His record on Sunday nights is actually a positive one. He has a 4-3 record in the marquee match on Sundays.
What this season’s Minnesota Vikings do need is a big statement victory.
The three teams that the Vikings beat currently have a losing record. The Carolina Panthers did have a winning record when the Vikings rolled into town, but the wheels have fallen off in Carolina with four straight defeats. The needle is forever changing in the NFL.
The Dallas Cowboys have a 5-1 record and are the superior team in the NFC East. A win here in primetime will make folks notice. The Cowboys winning record is unlikely to evaporate as Minnesota’s star wideout Justin Jefferson alluded to in front of the media this week. This is a chance for the Vikings to prove themselves as contenders.
It won’t be the last chance. The brutal stretch of four games ahead has four opportunities to garner a big win against good opposition who will have winning records – unless the Chargers lose their next two games. Unlikely.
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The Dallas game arrives with the caveat of Dak Prescott questionable due to a calf injury. Should the Cowboys signal-caller not play on Sunday night, then the expectation would be it’s a game the Vikings simply must win. In truth, this is the case regardless of Prescott’s status.
Under the bright lights on Sunday night, the Vikings players need to put together their best and most complete performance of the season — on both sides of the ball at the same time.
There are gobs of exciting little subplots, too. Kirk Cousins, obviously, but also Justin Jefferson, who has been quietly good this season, could do with a big statement game in prime time — just to remind those looking on from afar how good he is. Dalvin Cook, who has had a stop-start season so far, could also perform to remind people of his talents. Xavier Woods has his revenge game against his former employers. So does Everson Griffen, sort of. A brief seven-game spell in Texas wasn’t productive and caused thoughts of a significant decline. Back in Minnesota, Griffen has had a new lease on life.
It’s a big game, and under Mike Zimmer, the Minnesota Vikings have fallen short in big games too often. They can ill-afford another horror show on Halloween, which would put them behind the eight ball once again. Catching the seven-win Green Bay Packers already looks like a mammoth task, but not yet impossible. However, if it is just the wildcard, which seems most likely, the Vikings still don’t want to be dipping below .500 again and playing catch up.
The season won’t be over with a defeat to Dallas, but if the Vikings are going to be serious playoff contenders, this is a game that must be won.