Questions Answered: Za’Darius’ Role, Jameson Williams’ Breakout, Dark Horse SB Team
Dustin Baker
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Questions Answered: Za’Darius’ Role, Jameson Williams’ Revenge, Dark Horse SB Team
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the December 10th 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: Should the Vikings consider limiting Za’Darius Smith’s workload to ensure he’s healthy for the playoffs?
A: No, not yet.
The Vikings must win the NFC North and build a comfortable lead over the NFC West division winner to ensure at least the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. Then, the team can think about resting banged-up players.
Otherwise, it’s just too early. There are five games left. Let’s have this talk when there are two games left.
Q: Do you fear a Jameson Williams breakout game against the Vikings — the team that enabled him to join the Lions in the draft?
A: No.
Just accept that Williams will be a good football player. He’s finally healthy, and to be frank, it would actually be weird if he’s not good.
William’s long-term success and the Vikings-Lions draft trade should be adjudicated in 2025 or so, and all trade components should be referenced — not just Williams. It doesn’t really matter what Williams does this Sunday in the grand scheme of the trade.
Q: Who do you think is a dark-horse Super Bowl team to reach or win the big game in February?
A: We’ll take the Baltimore Ravens.
Of course, Lamar Jackson isn’t exactly healthy at the moment, but he’ll heal. And when he does, the Ravens possess the moxie to upset a team like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the postseason. It won’t be easy, but it can happen.
In the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys look pretty damn prolific.
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 Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).