NFL
By: Steve Rogers
The Minnesota Vikings are fresh off one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 season. After they beat the Detroit Lions in Detroit by a score of 27- 24. The Vikings put on a clinic by outplaying the Lions in all three phases: offense, defense, and special teams.
This week, the Vikings face yet another powerhouse of an opponent in the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are again coming into this season on the short list of true Super Bowl contenders. However, the Ravens stumbled out of the gate. Currently, the Ravens’ record is just 3-5.
Just like the Vikings, the Ravens have had to deal with a multitude of injuries. Most of the Ravens’ injuries have been to their defensive players. As well as Superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson is making his second start since returning from injury.
Interestingly enough, the Vikings’ starting quarterback, JJ McCarthy, is also set to make his second start since returning from a high ankle sprain, which he missed five games recovering from. This will also be McCarthy’s second career home game at US Bank Stadium. In his three starts in the NFL, McCarthy is 2-1. In both of his two wins, he has accounted for three total touchdowns. Two passing and one rushing. McCarthy has a total of 6 touchdowns and only one interception.
The Ravens are coming to Minnesota hungry and desperate to get a win here on Sunday. That would only get them to 4-5. Still under .500, which should only emphasize how important this game is for the visiting Ravens. If the Ravens lose this game, it might begin to signal their season heading in the wrong direction or “belly up”. Some might say the same can be said for the Vikings in this game as well. However, the Vikings can, with a win, climb over the .500 mark on the year at 5-4.
Keys to a Vikings Victory
Last week, the finally fully healthy complement of defensive players was able to play together. The results were astonishing as they held Jahmyr Gibbs to just 25 yards on nine carries. He also had three receptions for three yards. Gibbs is considered to be one of the top running backs in the league. The Vikings’ defense rendered Gibbs utterly ineffective.
They will face a similar challenge again this week as “King” Derrick Henry is coming to town. If the Vikings defense can put the clamps down on the running game of the Ravens, including limiting the always dangerous running threat of Lamar Jackson, it could be a deciding factor in getting the win.
The Vikings had four of their five starting offensive lineman playing together last week. The results were evident immediately. The offense surged back to life with 27 points. This should be a trend that continues to get better as they get more time playing and practicing together. Keeping McCarthy upright and healthy is absolutely the utmost important key to any offensive success for the Vikings. Also, creating room for the duo of running backs, Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, to use their skills and vision to find and exploit the Ravens’ defense. If the Vikings can bottle and replicate the recipe they used for success against the Lions, they can beat the Ravens this week, too. Upset alert, the Vikings win at home in a slugfest 31- 28.
