Here We Go

The Minnesota Vikings return from their Week 13 bye this week. First of all, Week 13 is way too late for a bye. A week or two earlier would’ve been so much better. Anyway, this should be an interesting week for the Vikings. Head coach Kevin O’Connell will reveal his starting quarterback. Will Josh Dobbs continue to start? Will Nick Mullens step into the lineup? Will rookie Jaren Hall get another shot? For what it’s worth, I’m probably leaning to sticking with Dobbs. He had one terrible game in four opportunities since his rapid introduction to the team. I don’t know what happened in that last game against the Chicago Bears. Dobbs never looked comfortable in the pocket or with his decision-making. Hopefully, this was a step back in his unusual situation, a one game fluke. I think that he’s earned the opportunity to continue as the starting quarterback but he must maintain possession of the football. I hate the idea of anyone playing super cautious but O’Connell’s patience with a quarterback that gives the ball to the defense must be short. 

Justin Jefferson returns to the field. No matter which quarterback is on the field he’ll benefit greatly from the return of the best receiver in the league. Despite scraping together a 5-2 record without him, Jefferson’s been missed. He attracts so much attention from defenses. His presence on the field will help the run game and free up opportunities for his fellow pass catchers. It’s also so damn much fun watching Jefferson play football. I’ve missed him. 

The Vikings defense has gotten better with each week. The flip from the defensive atrocities of last season has been startling. The Vikings defense has improved to the point that the unit is probably the strength of the team. They were difficult to watch last season. I can’t wait to see them this season. They might get even better in the coming weeks with the hopeful returns of edge rusher Marcus Davenport and linebacker Jordan Hicks. 

The Vikings are firmly in the chase for the playoffs with a 6-6 record. They have five games remaining:

12/10: @ Las Vegas Raiders

12/16: @ Cincinnati Bengals

12/24: Detroit Lions

12/31: Green Bay Packers

TBD:  @ Detroit Lions

If the Vikings handle their own business, they’re in the playoffs. That starts this week.