PurplePTSD: Xavier Rhodes Sighting, Bottomless Root Beers, Packers Stuff
Dustin Baker
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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.
Here is some of their top content from the last couple of days:
1 – Xavier Rhodes was signed to the Buffalo Bills active roster after a stint on the practice squad.
2 – The context of “bottomless rootbeers” pertaining to Kirk Cousins.
3 – This is the one time of year — and perhaps the decade — to cheer for the Green Bay Packers.
4 – Omar Nouh examines the Vikings offensive line’s step forward versus New England.
5 – Finally, Dustin Baker answers questions from the daily email bag.
The Vikings defeated the New England Patriots, 33-26, in a playoff-style game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 12. Minnesota struggled defensively until the 4th Quarter, played pretty efficiently on offense, and experienced a Kene Nwangwu kick return touchdown.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson recorded 9 receptions, 139 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown in a game where the young playmaker anchored Minnesota’s offense. Jefferson is now on pace for 1,904 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.
The Vikings are 3.5-point favorites at home against the New York Jets in Week 13, a team that bashed the Chicago Bears on Sunday, 31-10. New York owns the NFL’s sixth-best defense per DVOA and is still alive and well in the hunt for the AFC East.
The Packers lost again in Week 11, a home failure against the Tennessee Titans, while the Detroit Lions fell to the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving. The Packers and Lions playoff hopes are all but vanquished. The Vikings are the No. 2 seed in the NFC behind the Eagles and would host a home playoff game versus the Washington Commanders if the playoffs started today.
Health should improve on Minnesota’s roster as the team has extended rest following the Thanksgiving win over New England. The Vikings hope to welcome back Christian Darrisaw, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Akayleb Evans.
A 1-5 or 0-6 record the rest of the way would plop the Vikings in the postseason. Of course, winning the division is preferred, but subpar football, as a worst-case scenario, would net a playoff berth. That’s the perk of a 9-2 start. The Vikings have a 99% probability of reaching the postseason, per FiveThirtyEight.
The Jets haven’t beaten the Vikings since 2010. Oddly, though, the Jets own the all-time advantage with an 8-3 (.727) record over Minnesota.
Welp, the Vikings Have a New Magic Number.
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).
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