Questions Answered: MIN-DAL Prediction, Za’Darius Smith, Awards
Dustin Baker
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Questions Answered: MIN-DAL Prediction, Za’Darius Smith, Awards
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the November 19th 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: Tell us your Vikings-Cowboys prediction.
A: Our combined staff at VikingsTerritory and PurplePTSD decided on the Vikings by four — 28-24.
We predict that the Vikings generate pressure on Dak Prescott, keep turnover lows, and get Dalvin Cook involved, propelling the purple team to its eighth straight triumph.
Also, we’re waiting on a convincing victory for once — one not needing 4th Quarter dramatics. Maybe our score will be wrong and that can occur Sunday.
Q: Do you expect Za’Darius Smith to play Sunday with the questionable status?
A: Yes, Smith is expected to play.
He’s a baller and a gamer, so you shouldn’t be surprised that Smith is a go. Smith is also quietly authoring one of the best individual Vikings seasons in recent memory on defense. That will continue in Week 11. The Cowboys offensive line isn’t as good as the brand from 2016 or so. Smith and his pal Danielle Hunter should eat.
Q: Can any of the current Vikings players win any end-of-season awards?
A: Vikings personalities are in the running for two — Offensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.
Justin Jefferson is actually the NFL frontrunner to win OPY, while Kevin O’Connell is the for-now runner-up to Nick Sirianni in Philadephia for COY.
Both men should be considered legitimate contenders for the respective awards, and at least one should probably take home the gold.
Our money is on Jefferson. The Vikings must finish with a better record than the Eagles and Giants for O’Connell to win the COY chip.
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).