Is it a Cinderella story?
Well, it seems like lots of folks are coming around on the Vikings. They are starting to recognize this team has some good bones in place and is really solid. Sure there is still the question at QB but Sam Darnold is doing his job which is all you want really. I think that as the season progresses and he gets even more comfortable with the offense and his teammates, he will do even better.
Are you a believer?
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
The Vikings aren’t finished ruining your s—t, 49ers
Oh gaaaash, didja hear? The Vikings beat the 49ers on Sunday! Yeah, beat ’em real good! I thought we’d probably lose that game. You know, the Vikings being the Vikings and all. Oh, but they really kicked San Francisco’s tushy all over the field this time! Yeah, even their backup paaass-rusher — I can’t remember his name; I think it’s Pat or something — got two saaaacks! When I saw him do that, I thought I’d had one Schmidt beer too many! This can’t be real, I thought. But sure as the sun comes up, it was!
…
So let this past weekend serve as notice to you, 49er nation. There’s a good chance you don’t take the Vikings seriously yet, which is your right. Football fans rarely do. But I’m gonna let you savor your disdain only for so much longer. We’re coming for you, and for your little quarterback too. You betcha!
Is Sam Darnold for Real? One Minnesota Vikings Insider Says Yes
“There were widespread expectations Darnold could make a big jump in the Vikings’ environment, thanks to a talented supporting cast and a quarterback-centric coaching staff. But Darnold finished Week 2 with the NFL’s fifth-best QBR (71.2) and has been trusted to do much more than simply manage the Vikings’ offense. Is Darnold going to finish the season as a top-five quarterback? Perhaps not, but there’s a lot of evidence to suggest he’ll be much better than serviceable. “I think we all need to just start being totally present,” coach Kevin O’Connell said, “and when he plays well like he has, we just talk about a guy playing the position at a high level and we move on.”
Kevin Seifert calling Sam Darnold’s hot start real (ESPN)
NFL Power Rankings: Vikings Crack Top 10 After Week 2 Win Over 49ers
No. 8 (up 13 spots): NFL Staff, Bleacher Report
When the Sam Darnold-led Vikings rolled the New York Giants in Week 1, no one really batted an eye. After all, the Giants are, um, awful.
However, the San Francisco 49ers are most assuredly not awful — they are the defending NFC Champions. And beating the Niners in Minnesota’s home opener was an eye-opening victory.
Facing one of the NFL’s best defenses, Darnold played one of the best games of his professional career, completing 17 of 26 passes for 268 yards and two scores, including a 97-yarder to star Justin Jefferson. It was a performance that surprised quite a few people — but not Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell.
“The amount of work that goes into that position on your quarterback journey when everybody decides that you cannot play — we always believed in him, and awesome to go watch him go do that thing, so really proud of Sam Darnold,” O’Connell told reporters.
[Bleacher Report NFL analyst Kristopher] Knox isn’t slamming purple Kool-Aid just yet. But he admitted the Vikings may just be for real.
“I’m not ready to crown Minnesota as the team to beat in the NFC North, but with a 2-0 record to start the year, it can steal a division title in 2024,” Knox said. “Minnesota’s defense looks better than it was a year ago, and wideout Justin Jefferson is clearly just as effective as he was when healthy last season — and he doesn’t believe his latest injury is serious. Perhaps most importantly, Darnold is playing like a quarterback with whom the Vikings can win. We’ll see if he continues doing so once teams have more film of him operating O’Connell’s offense.”
No. 5 (up 13 spots): Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Sam Darnold is making plays, Brian Flores is doing a great job with the defense and Justin Jefferson is a game-wrecker. Combine that with Kevin O’Connell as head coach, and that’s why they are 2-0.
No. 7 (up 16 spots): Nate Davis, USA Today
[The Vikings] destroyed a bad team in Week 1, then edged an excellent one Sunday. But old friend Danielle Hunter returns to the Twin Cities this weekend, and his Texans are sure to put the Vikes humming Sam Darnold-to-Justin Jefferson connection to the test.
No. 7 (up 7 spots): Josh Kendall, The Athletic
Only Randy Moss and Justin Jefferson have had at least 30 100-yard receiving games in the first five seasons of their career. Jefferson had 133 on Sunday on the strength of a 97-yard touchdown catch, but he left the game with what he called a “little” thigh bruise. Quarterback Sam Darnold is hoping it’s not serious. In another attempt to fulfill the promise that got him drafted No. 3 overall in 2018, Darnold is off to a good start. He’s fifth in the NFL in passer rating (111.8) and ninth in passing yards (476).
No. 9 (up 9 spots): Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated
Though it’s early, the Vikings have a legitimate top-10 passing offense and a defense that has allowed fewer points than only the Steelers, which played the Denver Broncos, and the Chargers, which has played both the Raiders and the Panthers. [Defensive Coordinator] Brian Flores is carving a pathway back to a head coaching chair so far with a pair of memorable performances against great offensive minds.
Minnesota Vikings Give Jordan Addison Injury Update
“Jordan Addison is still day-to-day. I get the feeling he’s not going to play again on Sunday. Keep in mind, he sprained his ankle against the Giants. He had a high ankle sprain about a month ago in practice against the Cleveland Browns. I think the Vikings are going to er on the side of caution. I would say, just a guess, Jordan Addison does not play.”
Judd Zulgad – SKOR North
Prisco’s Week 3 NFL picks: Vikings top Texans to remain unbeaten, Chargers upend Steelers
Houston Texans (-2.5) at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
This is a big game between two undefeated teams. The Vikings are a surprise team, while the Texans were expected to be good. The Minnesota defense has been really good. They will throw a ton of looks at C.J. Stroud. I think that will be the difference in the game. They will force a turnover and get a lot of pressure. The Vikings win a close one.
Pick: Vikings 24, Texans 21
5 players to watch for the Vikings against the Texans in Week 3
Harrison Phillips
Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips has played like one of the best in the league at his position to start the year. The Texans have had a well-established run game led by Joe Mixon, who may be banged or even miss this game. Whether he plays or not, the Vikings need to force the Texans to have a single-pronged attack against them. Controlling the line and stopping the run helps achieve that goal.
Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold’s Cinderella run looks to continue in Week 3 against the Texans. They have a strong pass rush and a secondary that does a great job of making plays on the ball. He needs to make sure he doesn’t start turning the ball over this week because if there is a team you don’t want to give extra possessions to, it is Houston. Simple and effective, it has worked for two weeks, and it can keep working as long as Darnold keeps his composure.
3 Things to Watch in Stefon Diggs Vikings Showdown
Vikings Sign Tackle Marcellus Johnson to Practice Squad
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