Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reacts after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings remain in the league’s Top 7 Super Bowl odds, a strange circumstance after oddsmakers picked the purple team to win six or seven games in early September.
That’s the advantage of a 10-2 start. Minnesota has won five straight after a two-game, post-bye losing skid and is absolutely back on track.
So, with the Vikings’ contest against the Atlanta Falcons just around the bend, these are three bold predictions for Vikings-Falcons.
Aaron Jones already atoned for two 1st Quarter fumbles against the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday by catching the game-winning pass from Sam Darnold.
Still, folks are skittish about his ball security, even if Jones has never consistently encountered the fumble bug in his career. In fact, Jones has already tied his career high for fumbles in a season (5) in 2024 by Week 14.
However, Jones will get more redemption against the Falcons, delivering 100+ rushing yards and another touchdown. Veterans like him haven’t gotten this far to be ruined by sudden fumble issues.
In the last month, everyone has participated in the Vikings’ interception fun, and Metellus’ turn is next.
Kirk Cousins hasn’t played well in the last month, no stranger to picks. He threw four last weekend at home against the Los Angeles Chargers. He could toss one or two at his former place of employment.
We predict Metellus will snag one from the heavens and maybe even take it to the house.
Perhaps this isn’t overly bold because sportsbooks believe Minnesota will prevail by six points.
Nevertheless, the Falcons are spiraling, and the Vikings have won five straight. It would be a little bizarre for the recent momentum to run out at home — versus Kirk Cousins.
The purple team will hop on Atlanta early — it hasn’t done that against an opponent since Week 4 at Lambeau Field — and Cousins will spend most of the afternoon trying to claw his group back into the contest.
The game could get a little tight in the 2nd Half, but Minnesota will win 31-24.
Cousins has never played a game as a guest at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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.