Questions Answered: Prediction for PHI-MIN, Wonnum Contingency, State of the OL
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the September 16th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: What is your formal prediction for Vikings at Eagles?
A: Surprisingly, we picked the Eagles to win by a point.
The writers at VikingsTerritory, who often cross over to PPTSD, picked Philadelphia by a score of 25-24. We feel the Eagles ability to run the ball will outlast the Vikings run defense, causing an upside-down bout with time of possession.
We obviously aren’t guaranteeing an Eagles win, but most of the VikingsTerritory group chose the Eagles in Week 2.
Q: What’s the contingency plan if D.J. Wonnum can’t go on Monday?
A: Well, this one is a bit exciting because the answer is Patrick Jones and Luiji Vilain — two young bucks.
Wonnum was indeed limited at practice on Friday, but he isn’t necessarily ruled out for Monday. He has an extra day to heal. Wonnum isn’t a game-breaker, however, he’s a decent backup EDGE rusher. The third-year defender even registered a sack in Week 1.
We predict Wonnum will play. But if he can’t suit up, it should be exciting for Vilain and Jones to get a crack at Jalen Hurts.
Q: Was the Vikings offensive line good by the numbers last weekend or just good by Vikings standards?
A: According to Pro Football Focus, the Vikings offensive line performance ranked 14th-best in the NFL during Week 1. By Minnesota’s standards, that is tremendous.
So, yes, anything inside the Top 16 in a given week is “better than average,” and the Vikings nestled in at #14. It was also the first time this group has played together. The Vikings offensive line, per PFF, usually ranks in the 20s at the end of a season.
To the surprise of no one alive, Garrett Bradbury was the weak link. We shall see how long the Vikings leave him in the starting lineup. Chris Reed or Austin Schlottmann could see action if Bradbury doesn’t improve.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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