Adam Thielen Is Looking Like a Long Shot for MNF
K. Joudry
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Adam Thielen makes the offense work. He’s a terror in the red zone and he regularly makes difficult catches with ease. A true professional, Thielen buys into the team’s overall plan, sacrificing his own stats and role in favor of the broader goal. Having him on the field means opposing defense are continually in a bind. Doubling Justin Jefferson – as any sane DC would ensure happens – means Thielen will torch whoever is on him, especially if he’s in the slot. Unfortunately, it’s looking like the Vikings won’t have Adam Thielen for MNF.
According to the Vikings, Thielen didn’t participate in practice due to his ankle injury. As LeeAnn Lowman noted in her earlier piece, high-ankle sprains generally take a long time to recover from. A player like Thielen – someone who makes quick, precise cuts at high speed – will struggle to overcome this injury.
In theory, taking down the Bears on MNF shouldn’t require Adam Thielen. Chicago is as shorthanded as it gets. Their rookie QB has promise but is making plenty of mistakes. Their HC is almost certainly gone in a few weeks. There are rumors that even players are accepting that it’s time to tank. The Bears, in short, are a mess.
There is some temptation, then, to look at this game as an easy win. The obvious retort here is that Minnesota lost to the Lions not too long ago. If Zim’s Vikings can falter against the Lions, they can certainly falter against a beleaguered and weary Bears team. With Akiem Hicks back for Chicago, Minnesota’s easily overmatched OL will need to quickly find some greater consistency to keep Cousins clean.
Winning on MNF would mean the Vikings are once again at .500. With three games left to play following the Bears matchup, the Vikings would have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs.
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