Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (25) celebrates during the second half against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports.
VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the December 10th edition.
Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the Vikings, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.
Indeed, Mattison’s mean little twerk cost the man $6,503. The NFL fined Mattison on Friday.
And it was particularly odd because it seemed the NFL had no problems sharing the celebration around the globe via its own sponsored highlight reels. The league evidently wants players to have fun but has stern limits about butt-shaking.
It’s a dumb fine. Use the old Supreme Court litmus test — “you know vulgarity when you see it.” Mattison’s twerk was harmless and fun.
Darrisaw is returning to good health and would probably play if Sunday was a playoff game. However, we believe the Vikings will err on the side of caution and start Blake Brandel one more time.
Vikings fans should want Darrisaw to anchor the offensive line for 10 more years. Rushing him back is silly. The Vikings can afford to lose a game or two because of their fancy 10-2 record. Rest Darrisaw if there is any doubt about his recovery — is our recommendation.
This one is true.
Per Power Rankings Gurus, the Vikings have the league’s second-easiest remaining schedule. And to date, they’ve played the sixth-toughest schedule.
The Philadelphia Eagles remain one game ahead of Minnesota — which is really two games because the Eagles have the tiebreaker. Philadelphia has the sixth-easiest remaining schedule, so the Vikings truly need some luck to seize the green team for the No. 1 seed.
There is a case to be made that the Lions game on Sunday is the most challenging remaining game on the schedule, particularly if Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields don’t play in Weeks 17 and 18.
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).