Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs before the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports.
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This is Episode 137 of VikesNow, a YouTube channel devoted to daily Minnesota Vikings analysis. This episode examines eight pertinent storylines in Week 5 for Vikings-Bears.
Particularly, Alexander Mattison, Danielle Hunter, Ed Donatell’s ability to defend mobile quarterbacks, and Kirk Cousins are discussed.
Email any feedback — especially constructive criticism — to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
The Vikings knocked off the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, 28-25, courtesy of special teams mojo and a superb game-winning drive from Kirk Cousins. Kicker Greg Joseph saved the day with five field goals, although he curiously missed one crucial extra point. He earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson returned to form for 10 catches, 147 receiving yards, and a rushing touchdown as Minnesota took care of a team without its QB1, RB1, WR1, and LG.
The Vikings are early seven-point home favorites against the rival Chicago Bears, who lost in Week 4 at the New York Giants, 20-12. The Green Bay Packers also won in Week 4, beating the New England Patriots, but the Vikings stay on top of the NFC North thanks to tiebreakers. Minnesota is the NFC’s No. 2 seed as of October 8th.
Lewis Cine was lost to a broken leg, a disappointing development for the Vikings 1st-Rounder, who was a special teams contributor through four games. The Vikings drafted Cine as a plan for life after Harrison Smith, but the Georgia alumnus won’t see a regular season field again until 2023. Minnesota will ask safeties Josh Metellus and Myles Dorn to step up in Cine’s stead. The Vikings also signed a familiar name at safety on Wednesday — Mike Brown — who spent the summer with the organization.
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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).