All the metrics say that you should.
Big game this week no matter what are the records right? The Vikings are being picked to win by quite a few folks out there but there also are some who think this week the team will lose. It certainly is possible since the team is unlikely to go undefeated. If Jordan Love plays then the Packers offense will be tougher to stop. He was able to practice in a limited fashion yesterday. I respect that the Packers do not want to make any announcement as it forces the Vikings to prepare for both QBs. However, that MCL injury is no joke and he can expect a good amount of pressure/blitzes from Brian Flores. Do the Packers want to expose him to that kind of assault in his first game back? I would be cautious.
I thought the Vikings would be in close games the last two weeks and they did the opposite. The 49ers game was kind of close but it felt like the Vikings were in control. If Malik Willis plays, it is going to be tough sledding for the Packers offense. If Jordan Love plays they could do better but I still expect it to be tough. The Vikings defense is formidable.
Obviously, I am picking the Vikings in a close one but I could see a victory by a TD or more.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Note: italicized words are from the linked articles.
Three Minnesota Vikings Miss Practice Wednesday
On Wednesday, the first official Minnesota Vikings injury report of the week dropped. Earlier on Wednesday, we already found out, via an irritated Kevin O’Connell, that the outlook on Addison remains cloudy, but he seems more likely to play than last week. The injury report listed him as “limited”.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Garrett Bradbury, Ivan Pace Jr and Jay Ward, all of which were held out. Along with Addison, Jonathan Bullard, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Josh Oliver and Dallas Turner were also limited. The most positive news of this report: Sam Darnold was listed as a full participant.
Jordan Addison’s Cryptic Post Raises Concerns Amid Vikings’ Unbeaten Run
Head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Monday, September 23, that Addison would be day-to-day approaching a Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
But as Addison is close to returning to action, he has another hurdle ahead — an October 7 arraignment and plea hearing from his citation for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in Los Angeles last July.
Addison could face suspension from the NFL once the legal process is complete. He admitted he was in a “dark place” this summer following his arrest but has put his best foot forward so far.
That ESPN Guy is Still Doubting Sam Darnold and the Vikings
The question facing Darnold and the Vikings is whether they can sustain this. It is wicked hard to outscheme every Sunday opponent for a month, for two months, three, four… Winning on the chalkboard every week for 20-plus weeks is just too tall of an ask. The first weak point that opposing defenses will attack? Darnold. Pressure has famously flustered him, and while those longer dropbacks are good for downfield routes putting big stresses on defense, they invite a ton of pressure. Darnold has been pressured on 35.2% of his dropbacks and has taken a sack on 9.1% of his total dropbacks, both of which are above league average. On a small sample, Darnold is holding it together when pressured (ninth in EPA per dropback, 14th in success rate), but his off-target rate is higher than all but five quarterbacks so far this season.
I’m still not convinced, though. I’ve watched a lot of Darnold over the years, and I know that these flashes of quality play are often chased by a few head-scratching weeks. I also watched O’Connell prop up backup quarterbacks for all of last season. I’m one step closer to believing that this will last all season. I’ve gone from “full-throated doubter” to “suspicious but willing to entertain. Good coaches can win with Darnold. Great coaches can win with Darnold for a while. Time to make your money, KOC.
Ben Solak on Sam Darnold (ESPN)
NFL Power Rankings, Week 4: Bills and Vikings hit top three! Commanders soar, while 49ers plummet
Rank 3
Minnesota Vikings
Vikings fans: Yes, I hear you! You’ve proven your point, and it’s time for that point to be reflected properly in these rankings. I harbored some doubt about Sam Darnold and a banged-up offense, as well as a defense that had been impressive the first two games but with clear caveats. Throw those concerns out the window following the 27-point blowout of the Texans, who were pretty much cooked by the third quarter. Darnold was sacked four times, but the offense took advantage of great field position on the first two scores. That was thanks to a masterful defensive game plan from Brian Flores, who could once again be a head-coaching candidate to watch this coming offseason. He blitzed the heck out of C.J. Stroud, and the plan worked. Stroud had been effective versus extra rushers his first season-plus, but the Vikings were undaunted in coming after him. And what a sweet day it had to be for Jonathan Greenard to sting his former team for three sacks.
Vikings Could Be Trade Suitor For Browns’ Star
The NFL trade deadline could be very interesting this season and there is a chance that the Cleveland Browns could be open for business. Should their slow start to the season continue forward, the Browns could open up to the idea of making a trade or two.
One player that could end up hitting the trade block at some point is star wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Pete Prisco’s Week 4 NFL picks: Ravens cool off unbeaten Bills, Packers hand Vikings first loss
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-2.5)
This is one of the games of the week. The Vikings are 3-0 and riding high, while the Packers are 2-1 and have won two games with Malik Willis playing quarterback. That’s because the defense has been outstanding. Same for the Vikings. That means this should be a low-scoring game. Packers take it.
Pick: Packers 21, Vikings 17
Ex-Vikings QB Kramer says he has dementia, inspired to share by Favre’s revelation of Parkinson’s
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer has been diagnosed with dementia, he announced on social media.
The 69-year-old Kramer, who played 13 of his 14 seasons in the NFL with the Vikings and made the Pro Bowl after leading the league in passer rating in 1986, posted on his X account Wednesday that he was formally diagnosed with the cognitive decline a little more than year ago at the Cleveland Clinic as part of a health and wellness program for former NFL players.
Kramer said he was inspired to share about his condition after the revelation Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre made Tuesday during a congressional hearing that he has Parkinson’s disease. Kramer said his doctors told him at his one-year checkup that the dementia hasn’t advanced and that he has stopped consuming alcohol to better cope with it.
“Please, no sympathy,” Kramer wrote. “I’ve lived a great life and wouldn’t change a thing. Nobody wanted to win more than me and I never gave up, and that’s exactly how I’m going to battle this.”
Former Packer Aaron Jones ready to leap for Vikings on Sunday
Aaron Jones knows exactly what he will do if he scores a touchdown at Lambeau Field, where he spent the first seven years of his career. “I’m definitely leaping up there,” Jones said this week. Would Packers fans embrace him in his Lambeau Leap? Boo him? Maybe both?
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