NFL
By Steve Rogers
Fresh off a huge win over the Cincinnati Bengals, which included two Minnesota Vikings players making history. First kicker Will Reichard made a franchise record 62-yard field goal. The big story, however, was on the defensive side, as cornerback Isaiah Rodgers made NFL history by becoming the first player to ever record two defensive touchdowns in a single game. One touchdown was on an 87-yard pick-six, and the other was a 66-yard strip-fumble return, along with two forced fumbles. Rodgers achieved this in the first half!
The Minnesota Vikings are taking flight to another international game overseas in Europe. Only this time, it will be at a new location for the first time in NFL history: a game will be played in Dublin, Ireland. Of course, the NFL would choose to have two of the most popular teams among European fans. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings. These two have met before in London. The Vikings won that game and have an undefeated 4-0 record when playing in Europe.
The Vikings are still working their way back to full health. They saw the return of LT Christian Darrisaw pay dividends immediately, anchoring the offensive line. Expect even more of the same this week in his second game of action. Along with that, the offense should see a significant impact with the return of suspended wide receiver Jordan Addison. Addison was described as having the best preseason in a Vikings uniform. Adding him back to the wide receiver room with Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Jalen Nailor becomes really trecorius to handle in coverage defensively.
Back-up quarterback Carson Wentz will get the start as JJ McCarthy recovers from his ankle sprain. With a complete set of weapons at his disposal, including tight end TJ Hockenson, who is still returning to his elite status. After scoring his first touchdown of the season last week, it seemed to have given him a boost or reassurance that he is fully healthy. That’s five different dangerous pass-catching targets for Wentz to dissect the Steelers’ defense.
The Vikings will be seeing a familiar foe this Sunday under center for the first time in black and gold and likely the last time in his illustrious Hall of Fame career, Aaron Rodgers, who spent the majority of his career wearing the green and gold of the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings have a chance to beat Rodgers on three different teams as they defeated him last year in London while he was with the NY Jets, and three different countries, the United States, England, and potentially this Sunday in Ireland!
The Vikings’ defense put on a dazzling performance that will be hard to replicate or expect to maintain going forward. However, it does show the heights of what this defense is capable of performing, too. Future Hall of Famer safety Harrison Smith made his season debut in limited fashion, and his presence was felt and unmistakable. His role and workload will likely be increased this week. Smith will be looking for his third career interception of Rodgers and potentially his first career sack against Rodgers.
This is a good match-up of two 2-1 teams. Both teams are tied atop their respective divisions, the NFC North and AFC North. The line is only 1.5 points in favor of the Vikings. The over-under is set at 41.5. I think the Vikings are finding their groove on both sides of the ball. So I’m taking the Vikings to get the win by more than a field goal, and I’ll also take the over with the score 31- 20.
