Aug 24, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left) and New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (right) meet following the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the November 22nd edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Answer: Neither.
Aaron Rodgers is 20 years older than J.J. McCarthy, and Daniel Jones would only be intriguing if he’s signed as the QB2. We don’t want any quarterback debates or battles next summer. Just give the keys to McCarthy.
What’s more, Rodgers would likely be too expensive even to contemplate adding to the Vikings’ depth chart. And there’s a good chance that Daniel Jones signs somewhere before this season ends, as New York granted his request and released him on Friday.
We’re all for signing a high-end QB2, but we won’t endorse anything involving a quarterback competition in 2025. Minnesota drafted McCarthy for a reason. Let him cook.
Answer: Falcons at Vikings on December 8th.
It’s the Kirk Cousins “revenge game,” and the showdown may also be a playoff preview. In fact, after the Vikings play the Bears this weekend, they play back-to-back games against would-be 1st-Round playoff opponents.
Ticket prices aren’t cheap for the Falcons game, but that’s the most intriguing for a storyline and entertainment angle.
The only downside to investing in that one as your game of choice is that if Minnesota loses, dropping a contest to Cousins at U.S. Bank Stadium will be a pretty rotten feeling.
Answer: The way it’s looking — probably the Falcons or Cardinals.
Unless the purple team’s winning ways take a nosedive, the squad will probably finish around 12-5 or 11-6. That would come close to guaranteeing the NFC’s fifth seed and situate Minnesota for a Wildcard Round road game against the “worst” division winner.
That feels like the Cardinals or Falcons at the moment.
The safest bet through 11 weeks is to envision Minnesota facing Atlanta or Arizona on the road in Round 1 of the playoffs.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.