NFL
By Steve Rogers
Week 10 is here, and the Minnesota Vikings are officially on fire, having now won six straight games. It doesn’t matter where it doesn’t matter who. At this point, the Vikings have distanced themselves from their NFC North division. With a record of 7-1, the Vikings are four games up on the entire division. Along with a perfect 3-0 record within the division. The Vikings at home are also perfect, with a 4-0 record. On the road, the Vikings are 3-1. That’s all well and good as they go on the road to face the odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl all season long, the Buffalo Bills. This is the only game this week that features both teams with winning records.
There are several storylines in play with this game. The biggest is the health of Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Allen suffered a UCL sprain in his throwing elbow. The Bills have scored 25 offensive touchdowns, of those Allen has accounted for 23 of them. That is 92% of their total Touchdowns! Allen has accounted for 82% of Bill’s total yards. He is listed as day-to-day. Thus far, he has not participated in practice. Do they let Allen play this Sunday, or do they rest him and ensure he’s fully healthy for the playoff run? I think the Bills should err on the side of caution and rest, Allen. They have a fully capable backup in Case Keenum. which is another storyline as he used to be a backup with the Vikings and was the quarterback during the “The Minneapolis Miracle.” The other half of that famous play is wide receiver, Stefon Diggs. Diggs went to the Bills and has continued to prove he is among the top 5 wideouts in the league. This is also the first time Diggs will be facing the Vikings, the team that drafted him. Injuries and or the lack thereof also have to be another storyline, as the Bills have a lengthy injured list and to key players across their roster. Here is their complete injured list for this week.
Josh Allen QB1 right elbow last two days DNP
Jordan Poyer S elbow last two days DNP
Tremaine Edmunds LB Groin/ Heel last two days DNP
Greg Rousseau DE Ankle last two days DNP
Kaiir Elam CB Ankle Wed. LP Thur. DNP
Matt Milano LB Oblique Wed. LP Thur. FP
David Quessenberry OL Groin Wed. LP Thur. FP
Dane Jackson CB Neck Wed. LP Thur FP
Plus, Von Miller LB, Roger Saffold G, and Mitch Morse C all were listed as Vet Rest.
In contrast, here is the Viking’s Injured List
Dalvin Tomlinson DL Calf DNP
Cam Dantzler Sr. CB Ankle DNP
Garrett Bradbury C Ankle Wed. DNP Thur. LP
Adam Thielen WR Ankle Wed. LP Thur. FP
DNP: Did Not Participate
L.P.: Limited Participation
F.P.: Full Participation
That’s it just a couple of minor ankle injuries for the Vikings 10 weeks into the season. As always, the best ability is availability. I think it’s also worth noting how even with several key starters for the Vikings who are veterans in their 30s and aren’t on or taking “Rest” days off. The Vikings continue to win in every way, on and off the field. The in-house culture that new head coach Kevin O’Connell has developed is really not getting enough recognition. The players are happy to come to work and not afraid to let loose and show their own personalities, especially after victories. Just look no further than the viral internet sensation “Kirko” Cousins. This Vikings squad is ballin’ and having a blast while doing it. The amount of preparation going into each week has been paying off on the field. Situational coaching in critical moments by O’Connell has been spectacular and a key reason why the Vikings keep winning these close games. O’Connell is not only proving to be the right choice to be the Vikings head coach but needs to start being in the discussion for the Coach Of the Year award.
As this offense continues to evolve and find its rhythm, the weapons continue to expand for quarterback Kirk Cousins. At the trade deadline, the Vikings acquired Detroit Lions Tight End T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson came in and, in only four days, learned a whole new offense and caught all nine of his targets for 70 yards. Let’s see what he does with a full week of practice. Now Cousins has a whole lot of guys who have J in their initials. There’s J.J. Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, and T.J. Hockenson. The only guy missing now is OBJ. C’mon, OBJ, Make it a four-of-a-kind. It makes sense for everybody. OBJ doesn’t have to be the number-one guy or even the number-two guy. He can come in and be ready to make a handful of plays when it matters most, just like he was doing in L.A. The Vikings don’t need him right away with a big lead in their division. Lastly, it’s always sunny indoors here at home in the U.S. Bank Stadium.
Now I have to give some shine to OLB Za’Darius Smith, who has come in and instantly become a huge difference maker for this defense. A lot like Von Miller has for the Bills. Smith has been on fire all season, getting at least half a sack in all but one game this year. In week eight, he had three against the Cardinals. On the year, Smith has 8.5 sacks which leads the league. He is also leading the league in tackles for a loss. Smith was named Defensive player of the week, and player of the month for October. Smith is making a case for the comeback player of the year.
Can the Vikings win this game? I really think the answer is yes. Do they have to win this game? No! It’s against an AFC out-of-conference opponent. Furthermore, they have a huge lead in the NFC North. The Vikings have very little pressure here. The pressure is on the Bills at home, taking on a team that’s on a roll. This is going to be a really good game. This should be a fun one to watch this weekend. Skol Vikings!
Here’s the Matchup Predictor, the Vikings are only getting a 20.5 % chance to win. That means the Bills have a 79.3% chance of winning. The Spread has the Bills by -3.5. The Money Line is at Vikings +152 and the Bills at -180. The over/ under is 43.5. The more this week draws out, the more I feel like this is lining up in the Viking’s favor for the upset. I’m taking the purple and gold for the win this week in this year’s NFL landscape of weekly upsets.
