Questions Answered: GB-MIN Prediction, Why Cousins Is Better This Year, Brian Asamoah
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the December 29th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
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.
Questions Answered: GB-MIN Prediction, Why Cousins Is Better This Year, Brian Asamoah
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”1214528″ player=”26281″ title=”The%20Vikings%20Are%20123.%20Let's%20Talk%20about%20It.” duration=”1111″ description=”Josh Frey and Dustin Baker discuss the Giants and Packers, from a Vikings perspective.” uploaddate=”2022-12-28″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19439/snapshot/1214528_th_1672255281.jpg” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19439/sd/1214528.mp4″ width=”16″ height=”9″]
Q: Hit us with the Packers-Vikings prediction.
A: Well, you won’t like it. Our staff predicts a Packers win over the Vikings by a score of 25-24.
The Packers must treat this game like a postseason showdown, while the Vikings won’t be too adversely affected if they lose. Plus, the Vikings have defeated the Packers thrice consecutively with Kirk Cousins as QB1, and we’re convinced that luck probably has to run out.
We don’t believe Minnesota will be annihilated or anything like that. Yet, this game has a Packers win written all over it. Unfortunately.
Q: Why do you think Kirk Cousins is playing so much better this year than in 2021?
A: We don’t feel that way, actually. Cousins was better in 2021 than in 2022 — but his team’s defense and special teams aren’t mucking things up in the four minutes of halves or games.
Kirk Cousins,
2021 Year-End Rankings:
➤ 4th in Passer Rating
➤ 5th in PFF
➤ 8th in DVOA
➤ 14th in EPA+CPOE
➤ 15th in QBR
➤ Tm = 8-9
Kirk Cousins,
2022 thru W16 Rankings:
➤ 13th in Passer Rating
➤ 14th in PFF
➤ 16th in EPA+CPOE
➤ 17th in DVOA
➤ 20th in QBR
➤ Tm = 12-3
It’s a popular talker to believe Cousins is better in 2022 because his team has a fancier record. But it really isn’t true. Cousins authored 4th Quarter heroics in 2021, too, but nobody cared because the defense generally found a way to derail the afternoon or evening.
Q: How long until Brian Asamoah is a starting linebacker for the Vikings?
A: Eight months.
Eric Kendricks is 30, and Jordan Hicks is 31. Asamoah was selected with purpose, and we believe he’ll be a starting off-ball linebacker for the Vikings next September.
The Vikings lack speed on defense, which is not ideal in the modern NFL.
Sign us up for the prediction as Asamoah starting in 2023. He’s done enough in a small sample size to win the gig for the future.
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).