An Attempt to Find Hope in What Seems Like a Hopeless Situation for the 2023 Vikings
Josh Frey
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Sunday was about as somber a victory at Lambeau Field as the Minnesota Vikings and their fanbase have ever had.
Sure, they captured a dominant 24-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers and climbed back to .500, but they also seem to have lost QB Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles.
It was a cruel and numbing loss of a franchise player which dampened many hopes for this season that were just starting to come back during this winning streak. However, should all hope be lost? In an attempt at restoring some faith in the purple this season, here are a few reasons to be excited for the rest of this season with the 2023 Vikings.
A Few Reasons for Hope with the 2023 Vikings
The Defense Is Legitimate
Over the past few years, the Minnesota Vikings defense has been the subject of plenty of gripe from fans. However, this is not the same group as those from years past. This iteration of the Vikings defense has been playing fantastic football, and Brian Flores has been pushing the right buttons at the perfect time.
At the end of the day, defenses still win championships at the NFL level. The Vikings have the firepower on that side of the ball to remain competitive this season, and as long as plays continue to be made, the team can ride that group to wins.
The Schedule
We’ve talked about this at length on this site, and it’s been a discussion all over Vikings media. This is the easy portion of Minnesota’s schedule, and they don’t play a team currently holding a winning record until Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
There are plenty of chances for wins over the next couple weeks, and while it won’t be nearly as easy without their QB1, again, this team has a chance to remain competitive in the NFC.
The Opportunity to See if Minnesota Has Their Guy
Nobody wanted to see it happen this way, but now, the Vikings have an opportunity to see if they actually have their guy in young QB Jaren Hall. Nick Mullens remains on IR until at least Week 10, meaning Hall should be in line to get the start against the Atlanta Falcons next weekend.
Hall has a skillset that should be suitable to Kevin O’Connell’s offense. He has a strong arm and utilizes some great mobility in the pocket. As the preseason went on this summer, it seemed that the rookie was beginning to figure some things out. He has had the time to learn the offense, and now, unless the Vikings swing a trade for a veteran, he has a chance to revitalize hope in this Vikings team.
Justin Jefferson’s Return
It cannot be understated that Minnesota has gone on this three-game winning streak without the help of Justin Jefferson. He is now a week away from being eligible to return, and with Jordan Addison breaking out in a big way, it creates a nightmarish duo for opposing defenses.
It also only emphasizes how perfect this situation is for a young QB like Hall to thrive. The Vikings will soon have one of the most prolific receiving duos in the NFL back in place, T.J. Hockenson is a reliable pass-catcher over the middle, and Minnesota’s offensive line is playing the best that it has in years. The recipe is there for success with this group of playmakers.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.