Nov 3, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Will Reichard (16) kicks an extra point against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth 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 November 4th 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: That one is totally up in the air.
Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer tweeted Monday, “Kicker Will Reichard is scheduled for an MRI on his right quad tomorrow, he said. He’s been dealing with soreness for a little bit and said he further strained his leg sometime in the first half. He had a heat pad on the sidelines to continue playing.”
There probably had to be some hiccup to Reichard’s majesty, so we’ll cynically predict yes that he’ll miss games.
Free-agent kickers like Randy Bullock, Jack Podlesny, Brett Maher, and John Parker Romo, among others, are available.
Answer: The Vikings should bring Adam Thielen home for a throwaway late-round draft pick. Thielen is completing a hamstring injury recovery and will be ready to play as soon as this weekend.
Thielen’s name is thick in the trade rumor mill, too. Contending teams seek surehanded veterans who can move the sticks on 3rd Downs and score touchdowns. That’s Adam Thielen to a tee.
When Thielen left the Minnesota Vikings in March 2023, the team no longer envisioned him as a WR2 worth a $20 million cap hit. Now, however, he’d fit perfectly as WR3 for a playoff-contending team in the Vikings. The Vikings are 6-2, live in second place inside the NFC North, and have an 83% chance of reaching the postseason, according to oddsmakers. Carolina is nearing mathematic elimination. Adding Thielen for a potential playoff push makes all the sense in the world.
Thielen is experienced and dependable for the job, though Jalen Nailor has played well in spots.
Bring Thielen home and let him retire in Minnesota.
Answer: 11-6 feels right on the money.
They’re probably not quite good enough for 12-5 and may not fall to 10-7.
We’ll say a loss to the Bears, probably to the Lions, one of the AFC games, and one loss between Atlanta, Arizona, and Seattle.
So, 11-6 and on the road for Wildcard Weekend.
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.