Flea Flicker Week 6 Predictions

The Minnesota Vikings have the week off. That’s a great void for the league. Here’s a guess at the Week 6 games.

Byes: Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans

Denver Broncos “@“ New York Jets (in London)

Pick: Broncos

After the Vikings 10-day stay overseas, I like these international games even less. I didn’t think that was possible.

Arizona Cardinals @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

If not for Adonai Mitchell’s stupidity, the Colts would probably be undefeated. Even with a single loss, they are probably the surprise team of the season.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Dolphins

With a decent offensive line, the Chargers were 3-0. With an offensive line jumbled by injuries, the Chargers are 0-2. If they can’t figure out a way to keep quarterback Justin Herbert safe, the Chargers are going to have a hard time winning games.

New England Patriots @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Patriots

The Patriots stunned the Bills in Week 5. They should be able to handle the Saints in Week 6.

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Browns

The Vikings spent their overseas trip playing these two teams. Now, they play each other. It’s the Browns only because I like seeing Aaron Rodgers lose. 

Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Cowboys

The Panthers have a Jekyll and Hyde thing going on. After topping the Dolphins last week, I fear a Hyde game. 

Seattle Seahawks @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Seahawks

The Seahawks rebound from their heartbreaker against the Buccaneers.

Los Angeles Rams @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Rams

The Ravens need to get Lamar Jackson healthy before the season is too far gone. 

Tennessee Titans @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Raiders

It took a lot of lucky breaks for the Titans to get their first win of the season last week against the Cardinals. I don’t see the Titans getting lucky again in Las Vegas.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Packers

The Packers lost to Joe Flacco in Week 3 when he was with the Browns. Now, they face him in Week 6 as the new quarterback of the Bengals. I see it going the Packers way this time. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers somehow continue their stunning run with a roster decimated by injuries. 

Detroit Lions @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

The Chiefs rebound from their stunning loss to the Jaguars.

The league has again jammed two games into Monday night. Either would be a nice Monday night game on their own. Together is such a waste. 

Buffalo Bills @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Bills

The Bills rebound from their stunning loss to the Patriots.

Chicago Bears @ Washington Commanders

Pick: Commanders

It’s the Commanders in a fun game. 

Minnesota Vikings All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings have Week 6 off as they rest and recover from their 10-day “business trip” to Dublin and London. With no game this week, this is a fine time to look back at the team’s past. 

Other than winning the final, big game, the Minnesota Vikings have a strong history. Once they stepped away from their initial expansion team days, they have avoided having more than two consecutive losing seasons. That’s not a real high bar but it shows that they have avoided being woeful. It’s actually the opposite. Far more often than not, they are contenders. Their winning percentage since the NFL-AFL merger is among the best in the league. They have 16 Hall of Fame busts. A handful more deserve a spot. For a team with a history of 30-40 fewer years than many of their peers, that’s a very robust number. The Vikings just need a Super Bowl, preferably several. 

The Vikings have no shortage of players to populate the 27 positions on this Minnesota Vikings All - Time Team. Other than tight end, the offensive positions are mostly taken by Hall of Famers, soon-to-be Hall of Famers, or should-be Hall of Famers. Other than the line, the defensive positions are mostly wide open. Here’s a look at some of the best players in Vikings franchise history.

Minnesota Vikings All-Time Team

Offense

Quarterback 

Fran Tarkenton

Running Back

Adrian Peterson

Fullback

Chuck Foreman

Typically, I think of Bill Brown as the Vikings best fullback. Chuck Foreman lined up as a fullback his first couple years in the league. He had a career worthy of the Hall of Fame. At his peak, he was arguably the best back in the league. He was definitely the most versatile back in the league. It’s fun to think of Adrian Peterson and Chuck Foreman in the same backfield. Peterson will receive his Hall of Fame bust in a few years. 

Wide Receivers

Cris Carter

Randy Moss

Justin Jefferson

Due to the supreme talent available, I must go with three receivers. The Vikings second-team would be the first-team for many franchises. 

Tight End

Steve Jordan

Steve Jordan vs Kyle Rudolph. Both had excellent Vikings careers. If T.J. Hockenson has several seasons like his first season-plus with the Vikings, he will join the Vikings All-Time tight end argument.  

Tackles

Gary Zimmerman

Ron Yary

Guards

Randall McDaniel

Steve Hutchinson

In doing these teams, I try to keep the players in the position that they played on the field. Randall McDaniel and Steve Hutchinson are the two best guards in Vikings franchise history. Both played left guard. I can’t leave either off this team. I just can’t. On this team, Hutchinson flips to the right side. The best right guard in Vikings franchise history? That would be Ed White. 

Center

Mick Tingelhoff

Defense

Defensive Ends

Carl Eller

Chris Doleman

Jared Allen

Welcome to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jared Allen! Just picking the team’s Hall of Famers is lazy. If I had to go with only two? Today, the choice is probably Carl Eller and Allen.

Defensive Tackles

Alan Page

John Randle

Alan Page and John Randle are the best defensive tackles in franchise history. Kevin Williams was damn great as well. They all played essentially the same position. If I were to put a run-stuffing nose tackle-type player on this team, then there’s a difficult debate. Henry Thomas, Pat Williams, and Linval Joseph. I’d probably have them in that order. 

Linebackers

Matt Blair

Eric Kendricks

Anthony Barr

It’s tough to leave out Chad Greenway, Jeff Siemon, and any of the Vikings first great trio of Wally Hilgenberg, Lonnie Warwick and Roy Winston. 

Cornerbacks

Antoine Winfield

Bobby Bryant 

Antoine Winfield is easy. The second corner spot comes down to Bobby Bryant, Carl Lee, and Xavier Rhodes. Maybe Nate Wright as well. Today, the choice is Bobby Bryant. His long, underrated career finally earned him a spiffy purple jacket and a spot in the team’s Ring of Honor.  

Safeties

Paul Krause

Harrison Smith

Not having Joey Browner on this team is a crime. In terms of skill/ability/talent, Harrison Smith and Browner are probably the best safeties in franchise history. Paul Krause intercepted an NFL record 81 passes. On a list of league records least likely to be broken, that’s at the top. He has to be on this team. So does Smith. 

Special Teams

Kicker

Ryan Longwell

Punter

Chris Kluwe

Kick Returner

Cordarrelle Patterson

Punt Returner

Marcus Sherels

Special Teams

Joey Browner

Joey Browner first made his mark on special teams. At least, it gets him on this team. He’s one of the greatest players in franchise history. 

Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings are resting and recuperating from their 10-day, two-game, overseas business trip. They are on their Week 6 bye. With a ridiculously long list of injuries, it’s a much needed break. Normally, a Week 6 bye is way too early. This year, it’s perfect. When the Vikings return to the field, J.J. McCarthy, Brian O’Neill, Donovan Jackson, and Blake Cashman might be back. Aaron Jones Sr. and Andrew Van Ginkel should soon follow. The injuries through the season’s first five games forced some roster juggling. A curiosity of the juggling is that there are currently only 14 players on the practice squad. There’s room for two players. 

As the Vikings rest this week, here’s a look at the team’s current roster. 

2025 Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster

Offense (26)

Quarterbacks (3)

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Backs (3)

Jordan Mason

Zavier Scott

Cam Akers

CJ Ham - FB

Receivers (6)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jalen Nailor

Adam Thielen

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Tight Ends (3)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek

Offensive Line (10)

Christian Darrsisaw

Donovan Jackson

Blake Brandel

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Justin Skule

Walter Rouse

Michael Jurgens

Joe Huber

Henry Byrd

Defense (24)

Defensive Line (6)

Jonathan Allen

Javon Hargrave

Jalen Redmond

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebackers (5)

Jonathan Greenard

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Inside Linebackers (4)

Ivan Pace Jr.

Eric Wilson

Kobe King  

Austin Keys

Cornerbacks (4)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

Jeff Okudah

Dwight McGlothern

Safeties (5)

Harrison Smith

Josh Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Tavierre Thomas

Special Teams (3)

Kickers (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola

Practice Squad (14)

Dontae Fleming, WR

Tyrek Funderburk, CB

Jonathan Harris, DL

Jeshaun Jones, WR

Corey Kiner, RB

Vershon Lee, G

Fabian Moreau, CB

Gabriel Murphy, OLB

Bryson Nesbit, TE

Taki Taimani, DL

Sione Takitaki, LB

Nick Vannett, S

Zemaiah Vaughn, CB

K’Von Wallace, S

Reserve/Injured

Blake Cashman, LB

Ty Chandler, RB

Zeke Correll, C

Aaron Jones, Sr., RB

Ryan Kelly, C

Rondale Moore, WR

Matt Nelson, OL

Reserve/Injured; Designated for Return

Tyler Batty, OLB

Reserve/Physically Unable To Perform

Gavin Bartholomew, TE

Throwback Thursday: All - Time NFC North Team

The NFC North has been an NFL division since the league’s realignment in 2002. Here's a look at the best players to play each position in the short history of this thrilling division.

Offense

Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Running backs
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Fullback
John Kuhn, Green Bay Packers

Receivers
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings 

Moss only played in the NFC North for three seasons (2010 doesn't count). That's enough for me. His three years were that fantastic.

Tackles
Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings

Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

Guards
Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota Vikings
Kyle Long, Chicago Bears

Center
Matt Birk, Minnesota Vikings

Defense

Defensive ends 
Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings
Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers

Defensive tackles
Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
Kevin Willaims, Minnesota Vikings

Linebackers
Anthony Barr, Minnesota Vikings 
Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears
Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears

Cornerbacks
Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers
Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings

Safeties
Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Nick Collins, Green Bay Packers

Kicker
Ryan Longwell, Green Bay Packers/Minnesota Vikings 

Punter
Nick Harris, Detroit Lions

Returner
Devin Hester, Chicago Bears

Minnesota Vikings Pre-Bye Superlatives

After an unprecedented 10-day, two-country, two-game business trip, the Minnesota Vikings have a Week 6 bye. They have a week off to rest, recuperate, and get healthy. The Vikings were very much up-and-down over the first five weeks of the season. The manner in which they arrived at their 3-2 record shows that. Win-Lose-Win-Lose-Win. Over the final 12 weeks of the season, the Vikings must shatter that pattern. They must play with better consistency. They must avoid the injuries that have disrupted the roster and completely dismantled the offensive line. That’s post-bye week stuff. This is a look at the pre-bye games and some of the players that helped the Vikings win more than they lost. 

Most Valuable Player

Justin Jefferson, WR

Stat-wise, Justin Jefferson has been a player of note to most football observers (fantasy football aficionados) for just the past couple games. He broke the 120-yard barrier in each of the overseas games. Those were his first and second 100-yard games of the season. Seeing as he makes that mark routine, some have had the ignorant thought that he’s having a down season. Jefferson has been the player and, most importantly, the leader he’s always been. Jefferson is the Vikings best player and he’s played and acted like it. As great as he’s always been, the best is still always out there. 

Offensive Player of the Pre-Bye

Will Fries, G

Vikings fans approached this season with a lot of optimism. Much of that optimism was due to the Vikings decision-makers finally making the improvement of the offensive line a priority. With excellent tackles in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill already in place, the Vikings overhauled the interior. Center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries were signed as free agents. Guard Donovan Jackson was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. With Darrisaw returning from a torn ACL that ended his 2024 season, the Vikings were cautious and eased him into the lineup. That meant holding him out of the first two games and keeping him on a snap count over the next three games. Center Ryan Kelly has missed more than half of the first five games due to two concussions. He’s now on injured reserve over serious concerns over those concussions. Donovan Jackson had wrist surgery following the Week 3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Brian O’Neill suffered a sprained PCL at the end of the opening drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a result of those injuries, the rebuilt Vikings offensive line has yet to take a snap together. That’s been a major factor in the offense’s inconsistencies. The only offensive lineman to play every game and take every snap is Will Fries. For that reason, he’s the Offensive Player of the Pre-Bye games.

The good news on the offensive line injury front is that Brian O’Neill and Donovan Jackson could return as soon as the Week 7 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Defensive Player of the Pre-Bye

Isaiah Rodgers, CB

Isaiah Rodgers was a free agent target for Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. As a result, Rodgers was signed within hours of the start of the NFL’s tampering window. As the season approached, many Vikings beat-writers and national pundits targeted the team’s cornerbacks as a position of great concern. The lack of further corner additions was an indication the Vikings didn’t share those concerns. They really liked their Isaiah Rodgers-Byron Murphy Jr. corner pair. Through five games, Flores and the Vikings were right and the outsiders were wrong. Rodgers has been excellent. The highlight of his first five games was the Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He had one of the best games ever played by a corner. It’s arguably one of the best games ever played by any defensive player. His first big play was a pick-6. His second big play was a forced fumble with a targeted punch, a recovery of the fumble, and a touchdown return off of that recovery. Those two defensive scores were the start of what turned into a 48-10 demolition of the Bengals. The big plays were the highlights of his big day but they were really just the start. He had another punch out that fellow corner Jeff Okudah recovered. That turnover was immediately turned into more Vikings points. Rodgers also knocked away a potential touchdown toss to Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. In coverage on the day, Rodgers allowed only one catch for two yards. For his brilliant play through five games, Isaiah Rodgers is an easy choice for Defensive Player of the Pre-Bye games. 

Special Teams Player of the Pre-Bye

Will Reichard, K

The kicker has only one job. Many people say that to minimize the difficulty of football’s kicking position. Through five games, other than a London kick that was deflected by a camera wire, Will Reichard has been perfect. 

PAT: 11/11

FGs: 8/8

Official NFL stats will have Reichard at 8/9 on field goals. His 51-yard attempt against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in London was deflected by a camera wire. He should’ve had another shot at it but the deflection was missed the officials on the field. It was apparently only discovered later. Prior to the wire-deflection, Reichard was 3/3 from more than 50 yards. One of those was from 62 yards. It’s a damn shame that his perfect start to the 2025 season isn’t “officially” perfect. 

Comeback Player of the Pre-Bye

Christian Darrisaw, OT

There’s really only one player up for this award. Christian Darrisaw’s return from the torn ACL that ended his 2024 season has been remarkable. Even the offseason’s most optimistic hopes didn’t have Darrisaw ready for training camp, let alone, the start of the 2025 season. The easing of Darrisaw into the lineup was frustrating because of how remarkable his recovery had been. When he’s on the field, the offense operates at a whole other level. Hopefully, the snap count that he’s currently on is coming to an end. As long as it doesn’t jeopardize his future availability. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 5 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in London, 21-17. The Vikings needed to close their two-week overseas trip with a win. Here are some of the players that made the big win possible. 

Offensive Player of the Week

Carson Wentz, QB

The Vikings first touchdown was a pass. It was thrown by running back Cam Akers rather than quarterback Carson Wentz. This award goes to Wentz partly for his scrappy play throughout the game. With only two starters and three backups blocking one of the league’s best defensive front, he had to be scrappy. It wasn’t quite the beating that he took against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4 but he was harassed a bit and sacked three times by the Browns. Wentz gets this award mostly for his heroic play on the game-winning touchdown drive. With 3:05 to play, he directed the offense 80 yards in 2:40. His 12-yard touchdown toss to Jordan Addison provided the game’s winning margin. 

On that drive:

9/9

71 yards

12-yard TD

Defensive Player of the Game

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL

For most of the game, the Vikings played solid team defense. On a couple of the possessions, they had some issues with the Browns run game. A variety of players made plays that kept the Browns from sustaining drives. It’s difficult to pick one player above the rest. Rookie defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins gets the nod for collecting the first sack of his career. 

Special Teams Player of the Week

Ryan Wright, P

Ryan Wright punted five times for 286 yards. A 57.2 average. That’s pretty good. He’s the Vikings Week 5 Special Teams Player of the Week for the 77-yard punt that pinned the Browns at their own one-yard line. It was a beautiful punt with a beautiful bounce that was beautifully downed by Tavierre Thomas. 

Vikings - Browns

Jordan Addison missed the first quarter for knucklehead reasons but he was there for his team at the end. His 12-yard scoring catch with 25 seconds on the clock provided the difference in the Minnesota Vikings 21-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. 

The game wasn’t pretty. Football isn’t going to be pretty when a team is starting their third-string left guard, third-string center, and second-string right tackle. The Vikings offensive line has been a weekly question of “who’s next?” The London game provided the latest edition. This time it was against one of the best defensive lines and best defenses in the league. The Browns present a significant challenge against the best offensive lines. It can be a devastating deal against a team struggling to field five players with a pulse. Somehow, the Vikings offense managed 97 rushing yards, 252 passing yards, and 349 total yards. That makeshift line was even more makeshift in the fourth quarter. Christian Darrisaw is still on a snap-count as he’s returning from the ACL that ended his 2024 season in October. He hit that snap as the Vikings offense entered the fourth quarter. With the game in the balance, sticking to that plan was daring against the Browns. 

The Vikings offensive line in the fourth quarter:

Justin Skule - LT2

Joe Huber - LG3

Blake Brandel - C3

Will Fries - RG1

Walter Rouse - RT3

Three third-stringers and a second-stringer. Thank goodness for Will Fries! That offensive line was at its best on the final drive. With 3:05 to play, Carson Wentz was 9/9 for 71 yards as the Vikings drove 80 yards in 2:40. Wentz to Addison for the game-winning 12-yard touchdown. When the offensive line was needed most, they provided Wentz time and room to operate. 

Justin Jefferson was great. As always. 7 catches for 123 yards. 

The Browns entered the game with a quarterback change. Joe Flacco had started the team’s first four games. He was benched in favor of third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel for this game. The Vikings entered this game as fairly easy favorites. With all of the injuries, no game should be considered easy for the Vikings. Gabriel managed things but not much was asked of him. Handing off to rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was his main duty. He did attempt 33 passes, completing 19, but most were within five yards of the line of scrimmage. Judkins was the Vikings biggest problem. It felt like the first tackler always failed in getting him to the ground. Other than Judkins, the Browns main weapon was often starting possessions with terrific field position. Two Vikings fumbles twice gifted the Browns the ball around midfield. One was cashed in for a touchdown. When they were tasked with traveling the bulk of the field, the Browns usually ended up punting. The Browns third quarter-touchdown drive of 13 plays and 69 yards was their only possession of real substance. On that drive, their offensive line dominated the defensive front of the Vikings. It gave the Browns a 17-14 lead with just over 18 minutes to play. Fortunately the Vikings defense rebounded as they spent those remaining 18 minutes repeatedly getting the ball back for the offense. The offense finally did something on their final opportunity. 

The difference between the two teams in this game can be seen in what it took on their respective scoring drives:

Browns Scoring Drives:

TD: 7 plays, 47 yards

FG: 14 plays, 53 yards

TD: 13 plays, 69 yards

Vikings Scoring Drives:

TD: 8 plays, 82 yards

TD: 8 plays 71 yards

TD: 10 plays, 80 yards

Throughout the game, the Browns had a decided advantage in field position. It was starting to get annoying. Even when the Vikings put themselves on the right side of the 20-yard line with a productive kick return, a penalty put them back on the other side. They must stop with the special teams penalty. This game brought another three. The special teams penalties this season have been ridiculous. 

The Vikings completed their ridiculous 10-day international commitment with a win. After last week’s disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, this was a must-win game. It was only a Week 5 game but it was a must-win Week 5 game. Now, the Vikings have their bye week. It’s a much-needed bye week as they need a host of players to get healthy. The post-bye schedule is brutal and it starts with the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7.