Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) under center against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the September 23rd 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: Sunk? No. Reduced enthusiasm? Yes.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Monday, “Vikings QB Sam Darnold’s MRI revealed a knee bruise and no structural damage, per source.”
Vikings loyalists would’ve considered a sprain and subsequent absence of a game or two a win, so a bruise with no projected missing time is the absolute best-case scenario. Had Darnold missed Sunday’s game and beyond, Minnesota would’ve pivoted to QB2 Nick Mullens and hoped for the best.
Mullens did not play as efficiently in 2023 as Darnold has in 2024. However, the Vikings’ defense is absolutely cooking right now, whereas it died in 2023, the moment Mullens took over. Mullens likely wouldn’t have to play hero ball with a glorious Brian Flored-led defense by his side.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has embraced and implemented the “next man up” strategy all season. For example, Jordan Addison, Dallas Turner, and Ivan Pace Jr. missed Week 3, and the purple team defeated Houston by 27 points.
It would be unfair to think Mullens would be totally different. He’d play just fine for this team. Just not quite as cleanly as Darnold.
A: Yes.
According to oddsmakers, Minnesota’s playoff probability has climbed from 28% three weeks ago to 69% now.
The Vikings’ operation is humming on offense, defense, and special teams. If Sam Darnold’s reputation wasn’t attached to the QB1 section of the roster, Minnesota would be an honest-to-goodness Super Bowl contender.
Folks just need to see more Darnold to determine his long-term viability.
Answer: It’s trending that way.
Turner could’ve played Sunday if it were the playoffs, for example. He was held out of Week 3 as a precaution. Moreover, injuries for Addison and Pace Jr. aren’t severe.
Keep an eye on the injury report, but those three men should be back on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling tweeted, “Jordan Addison, Dallas Turner and Ivan Pace Jr. are day-to-day this week, though O’Connell said he’s hopeful all three can play.”
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.