Questions Answered: Doomsday Thinking, TNF Bounce Back for Vikings, the New Linebacker
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the October 21st edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Doomsday Thinking, TNF Bounce Back, the New Linebacker
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.
Q: What do you say to the Vikings fans who think the sky is falling after the loss to the Lions?
Answer: Did you think the Vikings would go 17-0?
They were going to lose sometime, and it makes all the sense in the world that Detroit would cash in the first loss. Detroit has a mighty roster, carefully constructed for the last several years, and they’re ready to win now. If not for the largest collapse in the history of the NFC Championship, Detroit would’ve reached the Super Bowl already.
The 2024 Vikings aren’t like the 2016 Vikings. This team is more balanced. Of course, if they lose on Thursday, folks will become ultra-paranoid — if they’re not already — and to a degree, that will be fair. On the whole, this Minnesota team is too balanced for a 2003 or 2016-like faceplant.
Q: Do you expect the Vikings to bounce back and win on Thursday Night Football?
Answer: Yes.
The Rams aren’t playing well, and although Cooper Kupp will be back for Thursday Night Football, the Vikings’ roster and 2024 performance is superior.
The only fear from anybody regarding this game would be one of those “classic” Vikings showings where everything is totally anemic. See: the first half of the game against the Colts in 2022. However, that probably won’t happen.
This squad is hungry to get right, and the Rams don’t represent a gangbusters opponent. Hopefully they respond by crushing Los Angeles in the McVay v. O’Connell first-ever showdown.
Q: Who’s the new linebacker that the Vikings signed?
Answer: His name is Calvin Munson, and he’s a throwback to Brian Flores’ Miami Dolphins days.
Here’s Munson’s NFL resume to date:
- New York Giants (2017–2018)
- New England Patriots (2018–2019)
- Miami Dolphins (2019–2021)
- New England Patriots (2021)
- Miami Dolphins (2021–2022)
- New England Patriots (2022–2023)
- Miami Dolphins (2023)
Yes, the man ricocheted from the Patriots to the Dolphins for five years. His time in Miami directly aligned with Flores’ tenure as head coach, so this Minnesota signing really makes all the sense in the world.
He’s a special teamer who will turn 30 in December. Munson will live on the practice squad and shouldn’t be classified as a major, impactful addition. Just a depth guy.
NFL Hits Vikings with Major Move
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.
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