Questions Answered: Our BUF-MIN Prediction, Little National Attention, the Draft
Dustin Baker
|
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the November 11th 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.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”1179671″ player=”26281″ title=”The%20Vikings%20Are%2071.%20Let's%20Talk%20about%20It.” duration=”1474″ description=”Josh Frey and Dustin Baker discuss the Commanders and Bills, from a Vikings perspective.” uploaddate=”2022-11-09″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19439/snapshot/1179671_th_1668028721.jpg” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19439/sd/1179671.mp4″ width=”16″ height=”9″]
Q: What is your prediction for Bills at Vikings?
A: We’re going to be a bit wishy-washy and predict a Vikings win if Case Keenum plays and a loss if Josh Allen gets the nod.
The writers at VikingsTerritory and PurplePTSD weighed in on this topic, choosing the Vikings over the Keenum-led Bills by a score of 23-22. And if Allen plays, we’ve got the Bills, 29-21.
Let’s face it. The Bills are terrific. They’re mostly known for the Allen-led offense, but the team’s defense is arguably better than the offense. Sunday will be a tough assignment, no matter the quarterback.
But, hey, the Vikings can climb to 8-1 if they pull a rabbit out of a hat.
Q: Doesn’t it seem like the Vikings are still flying under the radar for a 7-1 team?
A: Yes, and the team seems to like it that way.
Justin Jefferson commented this week about “the best team that no one talks about.” And, really, it’s perfect. Minnesota does not have a giant bullseye on its back, stacking wins against beatable teams and damn near a clinch of the NFC North — with 12 days before Thanksgiving.
Good football teams get better in November and December, so if the Vikings are that — a good football team — a 7-1 team can march to a 13-4 record or so.
But the schedule gets meaty right now — at Buffalo, vs. Dallas, vs. New England, vs. New York Jets.
You’re about to learn a lot.
Q: What position should the Vikings focus on for the 1st Round of the 2023 NFL Draft?
A: We were asked this about an emailer about a month ago, and we’re sticking to our story — an off-ball linebacker.
Eric Kendricks isn’t quite as dynamic as yesteryear, and Jordan Hicks is pretty decent. But Minnesota should plan for life after Kendricks at linebacker — someone to pair with Brian Asamoah in a couple of years.
Plus, the Vikings will probably choose in “the 20s,” and grabbing the best off-ball LB in the whole damn draft should be doable in that territory.
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).