PurplePTSD: Brandin Cooks’ Pricetag, Muse in the House, No Tomlinson

PurplePTSD: Brandin Cooks' Pricetag, Muse in the House, No Tomlinson
Dec 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports.

The sister-site to VikingsTerritory is PurplePTSD.com, and the guys and gals over there roll out the Minnesota Vikings analysis just as much as we do.

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Here is some of their top content from the last couple of days:

1 – The Vikings weren’t willing to pounce on a high pricetag for a 29-year-old WR.

2 – Nick Muse will be activated for Sunday’s game in Washington.

3 – Ed Donatell’s defense will get a whiff of life without Dalvin Tomlinson.

4 – In the daily video segment, VikesNow chats about NFL topics outside of the Vikings orbit.

5 – The Vikings special teams coach is a nickname factory.


The Vikings knocked off the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8, 34-26, courtesy of a sweltering Vikings pass rush led by Za’Darius Smith. The Vikings offense was also consistent and avoided in-game naps that have plagued the team for most of 2022.

Vikings vs. Cardinals In-Depth Game Recap
Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson recorded 6 catches, 98 receiving yards, and no touchdowns in a game that felt ho-hum for the Vikings playmaker. But that’s just the norm now for Jefferson — 98 receiving yards is “no big deal.” Dalvin Cook fired up his first 100-yard rushing game since Week 14 of 2021. Alexander Mattison, Kirk Cousins, and Cook all scored rushing touchdowns.

The Vikings are 3.5-point road favorites against the Washington Commanders in Week 9, a team that has won three straight games. Washington downed the Sam Ehlinger-led Indianapolis Colts, 17-16, on Sunday.

The Green Bay Packers also dropped a fourth game in a row, sinking Aaron Rodgers’ team to 3-5, with an unspeakable 3.5-game deficit in the NFC North to Minnesota. The Vikings are the No. 2 seed in the NFC behind the Philadelphia Eagles and would host a home playoff game if the playoffs started today.

Ed Donatell’s defense continues to embrace the ultimate bend-don’t-break philosophy, curiously ranking 28th in yards allowed but 14th in points allowed. This is probably just “the way it is” for the 2022 Vikings defense — splotchy throughout most games but rising with victory in its grasp.

A 4-6 record the rest of the way would plop the Vikings in the postseason. Of course, winning the division is preferred, but subpar football the rest of the way, as a worst-case scenario, would net a playoff berth. That’s the perk of a 6-1 start. The Vikings could likely even finish 3-7 and still sneak in as a wildcard.

Taylor Heinicke will lead the Commanders on Sunday, who started his NFL career with the Vikings. The aforementioned Cousins makes his first trip to Washington as a visiting player. Newcomer tight end T.J. Hockenson is also likely to see action.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. 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).

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker