Questions Answered: Youth Stepping Up, the Over-Under in Week 3, Cook in 2023
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the September 24th 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: Doesn’t it feel like youth for the Vikings must step up in Week 3 and beyond?
A: Well, absolutely.
Most of the team’s stars are veteran players, so when some go down — like this week with Harrison Smith — men like Lewis Cine and Josh Metellus must step up. For example, in 2021, Camryn Bynum did so wonderfully.
And this is across the board — Patrick Jones (EDGE), K.J. Osborn (WR), Akayleb Evans (CB), etc. Minnesota’s roster is somewhat top-heavy. Success in 2022 is predicated on youngsters developing in a hurry.
Q: Would you bet the over or under for Sunday’s Vikings-Lions game?
A: We’re not big on the gambling scene, but we’d take the under if forced to pick.
Shootouts aren’t common at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the over-under is 52.5 points, which is a lot. We predict one team will cross the 30-point mark while the “loser” scores 17 or 20 points, just missing the over.
Vikings 34-17.
Q: Do you believe 2022 is Dalvin Cook’s final season in Minnesota?
A: Cook in his final season as a Viking is a real possibility. He has a potential opt-out after this year.
His cap hit, north of $13 million each season until the end of 2025, could be too rich for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s blood. He drafted Ty Chandler in April — probably with purpose.
It’s not ironclad for this as Cook’s swan song. But start warming up to the idea.
Purple PTSD: Week 3 NFL Picks: The Vikings Bounce Back
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).