NFL
By Steve Rogers
The Minnesota Vikings are on the road again after squeaking out a 3-0 win in Las Vegas over the Raiders. This time they head to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals. Both teams are currently in the thick of the playoff chase. Both teams are 7-6. Both teams have lost their star-starting quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Joe Borrow to season-ending injuries. However, the Bengals are facing an uphill battle in fourth place in the AFC North. The Vikings on the other hand are in second in the NFC North and still control their own destiny all the way to a possible path of still winning the division.
The Vikings started the year with one of the top ten passing offenses in the league. They won a few games by outscoring their opponents. Now, over the last couple of weeks, the offense has slowly died off. Albeit due in part to some key injuries most notably to quarterback Kirk Cousins and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Ironically, as the offense has faltered the defense has picked up the pace and the slack. Continuing to bring exotic pressure looks from all different levels and players. This Vikings defense has continued to excel as it has become one of the top ten units in the league. There are potential pro bowlers across this defensive squad starting with defensive end Danielle Hunter who is having a career year and getting consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
How about at linebacker? Sure the Vikings might have found the best rookie of this draft class AFTER the draft! I’m talking about the diamond of the undrafted free-agent rookie Ivan Pace Jr. How good is Pace? How about this he has taken over the Green Dot responsibilities for injured veteran Jordan Hicks. Pace was just named Defensive Player of the Week for week 14. He tied a Vikings record for tackles in a game by a rookie with 13.
Pace also became the second rookie along with DeMeco Ryans with 13 tackles a sack and an interception in a single game. The interception was not only his first career pick but a game-winning one at that. Pace currently has the fourth-best odds of winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Pace will definitely be bringing his full energy and effort on Saturday as Cincinnati is his hometown. Look for Pace to have a big game in his NFL homecoming debut. On his birthday too! Happy
Now how about this secondary of the Vikings? Although most expected the cornerback play might dip after veteran and leader Patrick Peterson left. It has actually improved. Byron Murphy has come in and excelled with three interceptions and 13 passes defended. On the other side, Akayleb Evans has five passes defended. Although he doesn’t have an interception … he does have three forced fumbles. Third-round rookie Mekhi Blackmon has been playing well with 24 solo tackles six passes defended and one interception.
However, it’s the safties who deserve the biggest flowers as there are three of them playing at a pro-bowl level. Playing all over the field lining up at multiple positions per game. 12-year veteran Harrison Smith has 75 total tackles with three sacks three forced fumbles and one pass defended. He looks three or four years younger flying around pre-snap. Smith is due for his first interception of the year. Cam Bynum leads the team in total tackles with 103. He has two interceptions nine passes defended and a forced fumble.
Then there’s Josh Metellus who’s played 12 different positions on defense this year. He’s like having a Swiss army knife as an NFL player can end all be all do it all. Better yet he’s the Queen of this Brian Flores chess set of a defense. Metellus can play anywhere which makes him valuable in a Flores defense that relies on moving parts and switching in and out of looks with the same on-field personnel. So a system full of required versatility and a guy who not only understands it but is shining because of it because of his own adaptability.
Game Outlook
This game will have the Vikings using its fourth different starting QB. Joshua Dobbs has not only been benched but moved to QB3 on the depth chart. Instead, the Vikings are opting to go with their original backup QB Nick Mullens now that he’s fully healthy. Also, Justin Jefferson has said he intends to play. Runningback Alexander Mattison and offensive tackle Brian O’Neil will both be out with ankle injuries. Will Mullens be able to breathe enough life back into the offense to score more than 13? As long as Justin Jefferson can be himself and play that way for the whole game. Plus tight end T.J. Hockenson keeps leading the team in receptions and yards.
The saying goes “Defense wins Championships” . This Viking’s defense has been getting better every week. Last week they gave up zero points. That’s what a championship defense does sees and senses when the offense is struggling and puts the clamps down on the opposing team. How many games can you win with a zero score? The same zero. The Vikings are playing like a championship defense. My prediction is. a close tight game going to the Vikings 17-13.
