NFL
By Steve Rogers
Welcome to Week 13. The Minnesota Vikings returned to their winning ways last Thursday against the New England Patriots. The score was 33-26. Yes, it’s another one-score game, but it’s a full seven points this time. It also counts as their third quality opponent victory. Ironically all three teams are from the same division, the AFC east. Now, after a mini-bye week, the Vikings are waiting for the New York Jets to come to town next. The fourth and final team from the AFC. Can the Vikings run through the whole AFC East undefeated?
The New York Jets are a very young and talented team on the rise. They have done a fantastic job drafting and developing their top picks over the last several years. Both offensively and defensively, they have built a well-balanced roster. Unfortunately, the Jets have been hit with some tough injuries to some of those key players. Rookie running back Breece Hall was lost for the year with a knee injury in October. Hall looks like every bit of an NFL star running back of the future. The Jets also lost guard Alijah Vera-Tucker for the year due to a triceps injury. Vera-Tucker is sure to be opening up holes for Hall next season. Before the season started, the Jets lost offensive lineman Mekhi Becton to a kneecap injury. Becton will also be a solid piece to their offensive line in the future.
Rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson looks like he is evolving more and more each week into a number-one wideout. Second-year wideout Elijah Moore is becoming their number two option. However, the quarterback position that the Jets have invested in now two first-round picks continues to be a question mark. With the second-overall pick from last year, Zach Wilson, the Jets have invested their future in his ability to lead their offense. So far, the results aren’t there yet. Then two weeks ago, reporters asked Wilson about his responsibility to the defense after another rough game against the New England Patriots.
His lack of leadership shown at that moment led to his benching. Enter backup Mike White who played last week against the Chicago Bears and delivered an impressive performance, Throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns on 22-28 passing. This is now a fluctuating starting quarterback situation week to week. Is that a good idea this far into the season?
Can the Minnesota Vikings Tame The Jets?
On the other side, the Jets have one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Jets are averaging giving up just 17.8 points per game. That’s good for the fourth-best mark in the league. A big part of that is the impressive start to his NFL career as cornerback rookie sensation Sauce Gardner. He has two interceptions, along with 14 passes defended. He looks like the next shutdown corner.
It will be interesting to see how well Gardner does against Justin Jefferson when they lock up on Sunday. As a team, the Jets are performing ahead of expectations. With a rookie head coach and lots of first and second-year players, this team was projected to be a year or two away from really contending. Now they are one of the top wild-card teams this year.
The Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins won a game in prime time last Thursday night. Maybe it was a Thanksgiving miracle? It wouldn’t be the first time a miracle occurred on the US Bank stadium field. With a few extra days to rest up and prepare for the last AFC team, the New York Jets who are coming to Minnesota after a big win over the Chicago Bears last Sunday.
Thus far, the Vikings have remained unbeaten against the AFC East. Can Cousins continue to build on the success of this last game, as it was one of his personal best performances of the year? Let’s hope so. If Cousins can keep putting up 300 yards and three touchdowns consistently, then this Vikings squad can potentially be tough to beat week in and week out.
It also helps when he has the best wide receiver to throw to Justin Jefferson in the game. Jefferson continues to build on his ever-growing list of NFL records as he just passed Randy Moss (again) for the most receiving yards in his first three seasons. He still has six more games this year to extend that mark! Moss set the mark in 48 games, and Jefferson has only played in 44! That’s right. He broke the record in fewer games! His accomplishments are already Canton-worthy, and he’s just getting started.
Jefferson is goal oriented and is focused on getting his gold jacket someday. Well, as long as he keeps doing what he’s doing now, which is killing defenses every week, he will have no problem when the time comes. Jefferson was quoted saying, “I’m just going to keep working, doing whatever it takes to make plays for this team. I love this team. I’ll do anything for it. When that ball is in the air, it’s mine.” That’s the kind of energy and spirit that builds a winning culture, and other players will rally around.
Cousins was Quoted after the win saying Justin Jefferson got grills. That’s probably the next step. I need to get some custom grills.” Cousins loves getting his tight ends involved. Look no further than the connection already being formed with newly acquired TE T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson has appeared in four games since joining the Vikings. He has caught 26 of 34 passes thrown his way and one touchdown with 192 yards. Hockenson was asked what it’s like to be around Cousins, and here is what he was quoted as saying “The guy is special in the fact he truly is a leader.
He truly is one of those guys who will take a shot, get back up and say, ‘That wasn’t you; it was on me.’ To have a guy like that lead the huddle is special. It gives you a sense of confidence and a sense of poise that’s rare to be around. I’ve been around a couple like that, but to have a guy like that in the huddle… Winning games starts with him. Going through this whole process, it starts with him.” That’s quite the endorsement from a guy who has been with the team for barely a month.
That’s what sets this Minnesota Vikings club apart from most others. They are committed so deeply to each other and to the team that no matter the adversity, they stick together and find ways to win. At this point, the Vikings are 8-0 in one-score games. There is something different happening here, maybe bordering on special? Another big test lies ahead this Sunday against the Jets.
My Prediction
This is going to be an entertaining game. I think it will be yet another close game. The Jets’ offense has proven it can score lots of points. The Vikings are being given a three-point advantage for this game. I think the Vikings have enough weapons on offense and the scheme and play-calling of head coach Kevin O’Connell to make things difficult for this Jet’s defense. I think the Vikings have a couple of big plays that shift the momentum and get the crowd involved. Then this bend but don’t break defense that is also in the top five in turnovers gets a key turnover that helps seal the victory for the Minnesota Vikings. The final score will be a 28-24, Vikings win.
