3 Bold Predictions for Commanders at Vikings
It’s the 4-8 Minnesota Vikings and 3-9 Washington Commanders in Week 14, two teams that have seriously fallen short of once-lofty expectations. Accordingly, per usual, we have three bold predictions for the event.
Three bold predictions for Commanders at Vikings, breaking down what could unfold as both teams enter a pivotal late-season matchup.
Sportsbooks forecast Minnesota to win by a point or two, and along the way, these are our prognostications.
Bold Predictions for Vikings-Commanders
Thinking outside the box for Week 14.
1. Jordan Mason Rushes for 100+ Yards
Bold predictions are designed to be bullish, so rolling with Mason here fits the criteria.
Mason hasn’t rushed for 100+ in a game since 2023 with the San Francisco 49ers; he’s overdue. This Sunday, the Vikings’ offensive coaching staff will finally realize that running the ball is the meal ticket. The Vikings have rushed the ball 258 times in 13 games, the fewest in franchise history at this point in a given season. When they do run it, they’re averaging 4.6 yards per attempt, which ranks 11th-best in franchise history.
Mason averages 4.7 yards per carry.
In Week 14, with Aaron Jones a bit hobbled from last week’s injury at Seattle, Mason will get 20+ carries, tabulate over 100 yards, and score once or twice.
Washington has the NFL’s seventh-worst run defense per EPA/Play.
SI.com‘s Gray Deyo noted on Mason this week from a fantasy football perspective, “Once again, Jordan Mason is brought in as the possibility of being a start in fantasy this year, with the availability of other Minnesota Vikings RBs, and Aaron Jones’ up in the air. Last week, in the Vikings’ loss against the Seahawks, Jones suffered a shoulder injury, which has labeled a day-to-day availability tag on him.”
“It is still uncertain if he is playing on Sunday, but he was a limited participant in practice on Thursday. If he is out, Mason could be a good play in fantasy against the Washington Commanders. The Commanders this season have been poor at defending the run. They are allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game this season in the NFL. Over their last three games, they have given up the second-most rushing yards per game in the NFL. Two of the last three RB1s the Commanders have played, finished as RB6 or higher in PPR fantasy formats.”
2. Vikings Win Turnover Battle for First Time in 3 Months
This naughty trend needs rectification.
Winning the Turnover Battle,
Number of Games,
Vikings in the Last 10 Seasons:
2016: 9 Games
2017: 8 Games
2018: 4 Games
2019: 10 Games
2020: 6 Games
2021: 8 Games
2022: 7 Games
2023: 4 Games
2024: 8 Games
2025: 1 Game
The last time Minnesota won the turnover battle? It was a still-league-leading 37-point blowout over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 — about two months ago.
The Vikings will win the turnover battle once, chiefly because they are overdue to do so.
CBS Sports predicted a Vikings victory this week:
Two struggling NFL teams meet as the Commanders face the Vikings, both aiming to end lengthy losing streaks. Washington has lost seven straight games, while Minnesota experienced a four-game skid. Injuries plague both squads, with Commanders’ quarterback Jayden Daniels recovering from an elbow injury.”
J.J. McCarthy returns for Minnesota after a challenging season, hoping to leverage Washington’s defensively weak position. The prediction leans toward a defensive performance from the Vikings yielding a win. While Minnesota’s defense has improved, J.J. McCarthy’s inconsistent performance raises concerns. If he struggles against Washington’s defense, it might indicate larger issues for the Vikings moving forward. Despite their struggles, the Vikings’ defense gives them the edge in this matchup. If J.J. McCarthy can utilize this chance effectively, Minnesota should secure a necessary victory.”
3. Dallas Turner Logs 2 More Sacks
Turner has been on a tear in the last month, fully illustrating why general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah spent a mid-round version of the farm on him via trade in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s caught fire in the last four games, racking up 4 sacks, 17 tackles, 8 QB hits, 5 tackles for loss, and even pried loose a fumble. Stretch that production across a full season — say 2026 — and you’re looking at a 17-sack campaign. That’s Pro Bowl territory, easily.
He could have one more sack on the ledger if not for a questionable roughing-the-passer call on Lamar Jackson in Week 10.
Then he rolled into Seattle last weekend and kept detonating plays. Turner posted 5 total tackles, pummeled the quarterback 3 times, produced 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, forced another fumble, and even got a hand on a pass. That’s a monster showing by any standard.
This week, he won’t stop. Turner will torment Washington, notching two more sacks and completely convincing Vikings fans that a star is born. He’ll be considered one of the main building blocks for the future as the 2025 season limps to the finish line.
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