Tag: Kirk Cousins

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Three Positions the Vikings Should NOT Touch This Offseason

Let’s Reid between the lines…

The Minnesota Vikings have many areas of need this offseason that will be addressed through the draft and free agency. Here are three positions the team should NOT spend capital on:

FULLBACK

In my opinion, CJ Ham has the most solidified position on the Minnesota roster. He puts in effort every play and sacrifices his body to block for Dalvin Cook. He is quietly critical in the run game, and his price tag is cheap. Don’t mess with perfection.

QUARTERBACK

Like it or not, Kirk Cousins will be the Vikings quarterback this year. Adding competition at this position would be the epitome of unwise, as it creates unnecessary controversy within the franchise.

I do not believe Minnesota will bring in anyone that even comes close to competing with Cousins. At most, the team could sign a cheap veteran quarterback to replace current backup Sean Mannion, but even that seems like a stretch. Cousins is very durable (knock on wood), and the team doesn’t have much cap space to work with. I expect Sean Mannion to walk, and Jake Browning or Nate Stanley to be Kirk’s backup.

CENTER

In his first two seasons, Garrett Bradbury has had his ups and downs. That said, it is way too soon to label him a bust. Last season he played alongside the worst guard in the league (Dakota Dozier), and it only made his job harder. The Vikings should leave the center position alone and plug a better guard on either side of Bradbury.

Behind Bradbury, the team has nice depth at this position. Former CFL star Brett Jones is on the roster, and he always impresses on the rare occasion he gets to play. Center is in great shape as it stands.

The Vikings have far more impending needs than fullback, quarterback, and center. Unless he wants to create controversy and land himself in the hot seat, GM Rick Spielman should leave these position groups alone.

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Vikings Should Be Much Better Next Season

Let’s Reid between the lines…

The Minnesota Vikings just had their first losing season in six years. Despite the disappointment fans are feeling right now, the future is bright for next year’s squad.

Before looking to the future, it’s important to understand what happened to the 2020 team. There was a massive amount of roster turnover leading into the year. Below is a partial list of player losses to free agency:

FREE AGENCY LOSSES: 

  • S Jayron Kearse
  • S Andrew Sendejo
  • CB Mackensie Alexander
  • CB Trae Waynes
  • CB Xavier Rhodes
  • DT Linval Joseph
  • DE Everson Griffen
  • WR Stefon Diggs

And if those free agency losses weren’t enough, the 2020 season brought boatloads of injuries.  Professional football teams are expected to prepare for and overcome injuries to some degree, but this was an abnormal amount of losses to account for. Below is a list of the more significant injuries, so this is just the tip of the iceberg:

INJURIES (SEASON ENDING OR SEVERAL GAMES MISSED)

  • DT Michael Pierce (covid opt out)
  • DE Danielle Hunter
  • DE Kenny Willekes
  • LB Anthony Barr
  • LB Eric Kendricks
  • CB Mike Hughes
  • CB Kris Boyd
  • CB Mark Fields
  • CB Cam Dantzler
  • S George Iloka

Besides the return of injured players next year, there’s plenty more to be excited for. Most notably is the continued development of the 2020 draft class. With so many vacancies on the starting roster, this year’s rookies saw more playing time than they usually would in the Mike Zimmer system. All things considered, they played pretty well for being fresh out of college. When they are called upon next year, they should be ahead of the game and will really be able to contribute in starting or relief roles.

Shifting away from players, it will be exciting to see what changes come to the coaching staff over the offseason. There are multiple openings on staff.

At offensive coordinator, Gary Kubiak has officially retired (for the second time). He helped orchestrate a top-ten Vikings offense in the category of scoring, but fans questioned his usage (or lack thereof) of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Others (myself included) believed he overly relied on running back Dalvin Cook. 

With Kubiak out, there is opportunity for an offensive facelift. Whoever fills the void will hopefully give the unit more balance between rushing and passing, and maybe introduce more modern concepts in each area.

Special teams coordinator is another seat that will need to be filled. The Vikings already released a statement saying they will not renew Marwan Maalouf’s contract. It’s no surprise considering Zimmer was caught on camera yelling at him numerous times this season.

I’m optimistic that the newcomer will bring stability to the kicking and return game. They can’t be much worse than coach Maalouf… The 2020 special teams unit was sixth to last in average kick return yardage, and dead last in field goal make percentage.

The Vikings first losing season in a while was no fun, but sometimes you have to get worse to get better. With coaching changes and continued development of last year’s rookies, the 2021 Vikings should be dangerous.

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Kirk Cousins vs. Teddy Bridgewater

Let’s Reid between the lines…

The Vikings suffered a tough loss to Dallas last week. If Minnesota is to keep their playoff hopes alive, million dollar man Kirk Cousins must out duel the bionic legged Teddy Bridgewater.

Vikings fans were rightfully devastated after an unexpected loss to Dallas last week. Cousins put up 300 yards passing, three touchdowns, and no interceptions… but the refs prevented Minnesota from getting the win. Now, the Vikings’ backs are against the wall and this Panthers matchup is suddenly huge.

As for Teddy and the Panthers, their playoff hopes are essentially dead. Teddy has been sidelined for a couple weeks with a knee injury, and he didn’t have the best showing in his most recent game where he threw two interceptions.

As big as this game is for Minnesota, it may be even bigger for Teddy. He’s not the type to have bad blood with the Vikings, but he no doubt wants to get a win and make Spielman question letting him walk. Old narratives aside, he needs to show Carolina he can be their long term starter.

Teddy is a known commodity. He’s way more a game manager than a gunslinger. This sounds like a preferred opponent, but the Vikings underestimated a game manager last week in Andy Dalton and paid the price.

Kirk Cousins doesn’t have any secrets up his sleeve either. He can make big time throws, but he will likely lean on Cook and keep to more conservative passes as long as he can. 

The Vikings and the Panthers both have developing defenses, so I don’t expect this phase of the game to be the deciding factor. Rather, it will come down to Teddy vs. Kirk and who plays a better game. Less picks, more yards, and better game management. If both quarterbacks play their hearts out, we’re going to have a great game to watch.

Teddy will always have a place in my heart, and I know thousands of Minnesota fans feel the same. Of course we hope to get a triumphant win over the former signal caller. But if Teddy puts on a fresh pair of gloves and leads the Panthers to a comeback win in the closing two minutes, I’ll wonder if Spielman made the right call to let him go. Regardless of the outcome, I’ll always wish Teddy well.

This game is critical for the Vikings playoff hopes. Kirk Cousins must quiet the Teddy Bridgewater camp and get a resounding home win.

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I Stand Corrected: Cousins To Blame For Latest Vikings Loss

Let me Reid between the lines…

Last week, I wrote an article on why Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was not to blame for the loss against Seattle. But, yesterday’s loss against the Falcons was definitely his fault.

During the Seahawks game, Cousins struggled when his offensive line repeatedly collapsed. However, against the Falcons, Cousins’ struggles were not linked to a failing offensive line. Cousins was only sacked once on the day, even with a rookie filling in at right guard. 

While his protection wasn’t perfect, he was given enough time to make smart decisions with no defenders in his face. Nonetheless, he threw three interceptions.

Let’s take a closer look at each pick.

PICK ONE

Even with standout rookie Justin Jefferson as your intended receiver, you simply can’t force the ball into triple coverage. If a quarterback is going to try a risky throw, it’s best done deep in the other team’s territory. That way, a pick would be more like a short punt, as the opposing team would have to drive the length of the field to score. Regrettably, Cousins threw this pick from deep in his own territory. Advantage Falcons.

PICK TWO

Throughout the game, it was no secret to the Atlanta defense when and where Cousins was going to throw the ball. Minnesota’s veteran quarterback repeatedly made the rookie mistake of staring down his receivers, or “bird dogging.”

Cousins also has another concerning “tell.” Right before he throws, Cousins partially cocks the football back and pats it with his left hand. I’m not sure why he or his coaching staff haven’t worked to eliminate this, as it gives defenders a big clue when the ball is about to be thrown. These two tells led to Cousins’ second interception.

PICK THREE

While Cousins’ third pick might not have seemed like his fault, I believe it was. The ball was batted at the line of scrimmage before deflecting into another defender’s hands. This kind of play can be a fluke, but Cousins did his signature ball-patting tell during the play, cueing the defensive lineman on when to raise/bat his hands. Perhaps this turnover was as avoidable as the others.

ADDITIONAL CONCERNS

Aside from the interceptions, Cousins also demonstrated poor decision making. In two third-down situations, he threw the ball to fourth-stringer Chad Beebe (who was short of the first down) rather than his best pass catchers. Scouts call this mental processing, and this skill ties in with the earlier picks. If Cousins doesn’t improve this part of his game soon, he could be benched, or find himself playing for a new coach.

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Vikings Fans: It’s Not Time To Tank (Yet)

It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to realize the Vikings are off to a rough start. However, it might take a detective, or at least an in-tune and overly optimistic fan to find reasons the team could still turn things around. 

After this 0-3 start, many Vikings fans have given up on the season and turned to social media, using the hashtag #TankForTrevor (meaning star Clemson quarterback and likely number-one draft pick Trevor Lawrence). It is disturbing to see how quickly people give up, and despite the many reasons to do so, I am not yet comfortable pulling the plug on this season and boarding the train to tank town. Theoretically, the team could still go 13-3, so there is without a doubt still time to turn things around.

Let me be clear: there is limited time to infiltrate the win column and set sail towards the playoffs. Another loss or two this early in the year would almost certainly seal Minnesota’s fate of a losing season. It would be their first since 2014, when they went 7-9 in Head Coach Mike Zimmer’s first season. If the Vikings don’t win this week or next, tanking to obtain a high draft pick becomes a very real possibility, and I will reluctantly join the #TankForTrevor movement.

Since the team’s struggles have already been thoroughly covered in the media, let’s jump right into the reasons the Purple could turn things around.

Offensive Line Shuffle?

In place of injured right guard Pat Elflein, second-year blocker Dru Samia has had a tough go of it these past two weeks. Since Samia does not yet look ready for a starting role, talks of trying someone else are swirling. General Manager Rick Spielman recently told local radio station KFAN that Ezra Cleveland may “…get his opportunity shortly,” and I’m all for it. As a second round pick, Cleveland has plenty of potential. Keep in mind, Minnesota’s other most recent second-round lineman (Brian O’Neill) was an absolute success even when forced into early action.

A Pass Rush Emerges

After a quiet first two games as a Viking, possibly due to a minor injury, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue made some noise last week against the Tennessee Titans. Both Ngakoue and linebacker Eric Wilson tallied sacks on Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and the pass rush as a whole was creating pressure from multiple angles. Even safety Harrison Smith was seen rushing on the quarterback. Typically, safeties aren’t your go-to blitzers, but if that’s how the team can best produce a pass rush, I’ll trust defensive mastermind Zimmer’s judgement.

Kubiak Getting Dialed In

Fans including myself questioned Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak’s play calling through the first two games of the season. In my opinion, Kubiak redeemed himself Sunday. With Kubiak’s play calling, Kirk Cousins distributed the ball to six different receivers, including rookie Justin Jefferson (more on that later). The game plan was also very balanced, as the offense had almost a perfect 50:50 ratio of run plays to pass plays. Speaking of run plays, Kubiak made good use of Dalvin Cook, who racked up 181 yards rushing on the day. Reminds me of back when the Vikings would ride Adrian Peterson to the playoffs. Perhaps Kubiak will take a similar approach with Cook…

Justin Jefferson On The Scene

Minnesota’s last few first-round receivers have been busts, but Spielman finally seems to have struck gold in Justin Jefferson. In weeks one and two alone, Jefferson had more receiving yards than Treadwell did in his ENTIRE rookie season. And in week three? Jefferson blew up for 175 yards and a score against the Titans. One man can’t carry the team, but he could light the spark that turns this season around.

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10 Reasons the Vikings Can Win in Week One

The 2020 Vikings season opener is less than 24 hours away, and Twitter is blowing up with all sorts of hot Vikings takes. Unfortunately, I’ve been seeing far too many Minnesota fans sharing their PESSIMISTIC outlooks for the Green Bay game. It’s time to remind fans and foes why the Vikings can win on Sunday.

  1. Gary Kubiak as Full-Time Offensive Coordinator

It was unclear at times how involved “Co Head Coach and Offensive Advisor” Gary Kubiak actually was with the 2019 offense. Previous Offensive Coordinator Kevin Stefanski did a reasonable job calling plays in 2019, but he brought limited experience to the table. Kubiak has been in the league for over 30 years, and he shares the same offensive vision as head coach Mike Zimmer (run often, zone block, ample play action passes, etc.). Having those two on the same page, and Kubiak calling plays should pay dividends in this matchup and beyond.

  1. A New Beginning for Pat Elflein

Pat Elflein has really struggled over his first three seasons. In year four, the last of his rookie contract, he has now been switched to right guard after being tried unsuccessfully at both left guard and center. Reports from training camp claimed he was thriving at the new position, and there is reason to believe this is true. With plenty of potential replacements on the roster throughout camp, he likely would have been cut if he wasn’t taking to it well, so fans can hope to see his improvement on Sunday.

  1. Young, Fast Corners

An entire article could be written on this topic (and has been written HERE), but we’ll keep this brief. The Vikings cornerback group, returners and rookies alike, received rave reviews throughout camp, and film that was released told the same story. These young guns are extremely smart, physical, and athletic. We may see a pick or two tomorrow, even against Aaron Rodgers.

https://twitter.com/camdantzler3/status/1302258354329391104
  1. Ifeadi’s Big Chance

Defensive lineman Ifeadi Odenigbo expressed his displeasure via Twitter when the Vikings traded for his replacement, Yannick Ngakwoue. Yannick and Danielle Hunter were expected to pair up as the team’s starting defensive ends, but Hunter now finds himself on Injured Reserve with a mysterious injury. With Hunter temporarily out, Odenigbo has a golden opportunity to fill in and show coaches he’s capable of being a starter.

  1. Dom Capers Influence

Another coaching change, or addition, this offseason came in the form of former Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers. No, Capers probably doesn’t have much useful information on the Packers since the team has largely changed since he left. However, his injections to the Vikings defense, as he holds the title “Senior Defensive Assistant” could be interesting. Keep an eye out for some new looks/scheme changes, possibly from Capers influence, against Green Bay.

  1. Home Field Advantage

It would be easy to ignore this topic since the Vikings will not have fans in attendance at U.S. Bank Stadium, but there’s more to it. Not having to travel is a significant advantage for any team, as is playing in an enclosed stadium. Packers fans like to give the Vikings a hard time for supposedly pumping fake fan noise into their former venue, the Metrodome, which may or may not be true. With the current covid situation though, Minnesota might actually do so, legally, at the Bank. Anything that helps to throw off Aaron Rodgers is fine by me.

  1. An Arsenal of Pass-Catchers

Two more position groups that could have a short novel written on them are the team’s wide receivers and tight ends. Adam Thielen is back to being healthy, and he has been a big help in mentoring the team’s young wide receivers all offseason. First-round pick Justin Jefferson is the obvious one to watch, but reports on Olabisi Johnson are also fantastic. As for the tight ends, Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith are so good, quarterback Kirk Cousins may have trouble deciding who to throw to.

  1. Healthy and Fresh Running Backs

Minnesota’s running backs were battered and bruised late last year, but they made it through training camp without getting dinged up. They will make an immediate impact. Dalvin Cook is very happy after signing his new deal only hours ago, and the sky’s the limit for sophomore Alexander Mattison. Don’t forget about Mike Boone, and C.J. Ham too.

  1. Confident Kirk

Thank goodness. Cousins was finally able to shake the “can’t win big games” label last year. He beat the Cowboys in a primetime road matchup, and he then stormed into New Orleans in a playoff game and roused the Saints in overtime fashion. The monkey is off his back, and fans should be extremely excited to watch Cousins slinging it this year.

  1. The Opponent

For those of you who either missed the draft, or just ignored the happenings in Green Bay, here’s a recap on that and their offseason:

  • Failed to draft a WR
  • Inexplicably cut promising WR Jake Kumerow after training camp
  • Drafted another running back, even though they already have two great ones
  • Drafted a QB in the first round who may have no impact for years
  • Lost veteran tight end Jimmy Graham
  • Already have six players on injury report

All in all, I’d say there are plenty of reasons to believe in a week one Vikings win.

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A New Beginning For Kirk Cousins

With spring in full swing, most football fans are focused on the draft. It is without a doubt an exciting time for all professional football teams, but Vikings fans should take a moment to revel in a player already on the roster. That player is quarterback Kirk Cousins.

After that last sentence, Vikings pessimists and promoters alike may look to the empty trophy case in U.S. Bank Stadium (note: it is not actually empty, nor is it at the stadium) and have some doubts. Yes, the Vikings fell short of the elusive Super Bowl last season, but quarterback Kirk Cousins had a monumental year on and off the stat sheet. He now has a real chance at a new beginning.

Per his usual self, Cousins put up gaudy stats in 2019. He passed for 3,600 yards and tallied 26 touchdowns. Nonetheless, skeptics barked all season about his inability to win the big game and be a true franchise quarterback. In playoff-bound “you like that?” fashion, Cousins finally silenced the haters.

Cousins rolled into Dallas, in primetime, against a team with a winning record, without one of his star receivers, and he orchestrated a prompt takedown of America’s team. The next week, he spawned a record-setting comeback against the Denver Broncos, decidedly proving his ability to overcome a deficit and salvage a win.

Of course, there were some clinkers too. Cousins can be held partially responsible for five of the team’s losses last year, but in most, he gave Minnesota a very good chance to win at the end (i.e. at Seattle or at Green Bay). The cherry on top was silencing the “who dat?” nation New Orleans Saints on the road. Short of winning a Super Bowl, there are no more narratives for the naysayers to cling to.

That brings us to the 2020 Vikings. If the league can get past Covid-19, Cousins has a chance to build on last season’s success and have a very good year. Every year is a new beginning in a way, but this one will be different for Cousins. 

With no more monkeys on his back, it should not only feel like a fresh start, but a start in which he finally has street cred besides his stats. Cousins also now has the advantage of being coached by veteran coordinator (and former head coach) Gary Kubiak, who knows Cousins’ strengths and can get the most out of the quarterback. It’s the perfect storm for a sterling season.

Even diehard fans may look at the roster and be skeptical that Cousins and the crew can have success. Much of the team has turned over, and one of the offense’s biggest threats (Stefon Diggs) is gone. This is another reason why Cousins has a great chance to succeed. Low expectations equal less pressure. Less pressure equals a less-constricted Cousins. Without so much pressure, maybe he can let it fly like he’s playing backyard ball. After all, he has been most successful when Zimmer tells him to do so.

It is perfectly normal to be excited about the draft, but do not forget about memories of the past and what they mean for the future of the team. Regardless of what happens in the unpredictable draft, fans have reason to be confident in Cousins.

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An Open Letter to Vikings Fans

To Vikings fanatics and Green Bay refugees everywhere,

Without a doubt, this has been a tough year. Coronavirus has torn apart our country, and in the midst of the pandemic, Vikings fans are pinned inside watching their purple heroes walk out the door. It would be easy to be pessimistic right now, but this is no time to get down on our favorite team. Instead, we must forge ahead towards a new beginning.

Like it or not, we are Minnesota sports fans, and we have been beaten down before. Aside from the Twins and Lynx, there haven’t been many titles won in this state. Heck, the Timberwolves and Wild may never finish their seasons, and who knows if the Twins will ever start. Let’s have some perspective and be grateful that the Vikings have a good chance of actually starting their season on time.

It is truly amazing how quickly things can change. One minute you’re enjoying a burger in downtown Minneapolis, and the next you can’t leave your house without a hazmat suit. One year, Stefon Diggs is your miracle man. The next? You know the drill… He’s making controversial Instagram posts and getting shipped to Buffalo. Didn’t see that one coming after a certain play in January of 2018.

Now, it’s easy to be sad about the loss, or blame GM Rick Spielman for pulling the trigger on a polarizing trade. Let’s be honest with ourselves. Diggs wasn’t who we thought he was, or at least he changed very quickly and drastically. He made it painfully clear what he wanted and had done so for some time. It was time for Spielman to listen. All we can do is be thankful for the memories he brought us. Some open cap space and a few draft picks are pretty nice too.

Diggs isn’t the only one we had to let go. Three corners, all starters in fact, will be donning different colors for the first time in each of their careers. Don’t even get me started on the safety situation. How hard do you think it was for Mike Zimmer, cornerback guru, to see his beloved draftees, as well as a former all-pro go out the door? I can only imagine. Thank goodness he had the foresight to draft a first-round corner and take an undrafted gamble on another. See, that’s the mindset we need. Zimmer and Spielman built the old team from rubble, and they can craft a new one too.

This is the important part, the new beginning. Yes, we’re talking about the 2020 NFL Draft. It’s only weeks away, and it will be the most critical channel for bringing in new talent this year. Don’t sell Spielman short, as he picked up a couple of good players in free agency. That said, the meat and potatoes come from college recruits. Zimmer has acknowledged that football is a young man’s game, and I believe he was warning us that this team was getting old.

Wow, with the losses of seven starters, the draft is really starting to look like a do or die arena, huh? Well, perhaps, depending on your perspective. If Spielman puts on his Ray Bans and rolls the dice like a riverboat gambler, he might pot enough talent to get Cousins and the crew back to the playoffs. If not? Fans accept the reality of not having instant gratification and wait a year or two for the young guns to develop. It’s not nearly as fun as proving people wrong, but it is a reality we must prepare for. 

Either way, this team isn’t rolling over and playing dead. Both Zimmer and Spielman are in a contract year, so they must prove their ability to get this team on the upswing. If not? There are plenty of coaches, some in house, who would love to be in their shoes.

In closing, I’ll put my money on slick Rick in the draft, and Zimmer on the field. There are vacancies to be filled, but I think we should view every week, every game, and every hurdle this year as an opportunity for this team to grow, and we can also embrace being the underdog. It was without a doubt difficult to see some old friends go, but they brought us many good memories while they were here, and they are giving Minnesota the chance for a new beginning.

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Minneapolis Miracle 2.0? Nope. Time for a Beatdown in the Big Easy

Seven months ago, one NFL “expert” predicted the Vikings would only win five games. With a 10-win campaign in the books, Minnesota has already proven him wrong. Having successfully earned a postseason berth, the team will now take on the New Orleans Saints in their infamous Superdome. Nearly every analyst has the Saints coming out on top, but the Vikings have what it takes to prove many people, experts included, wrong once more.

For less-familiar fans, this is the first time since 2009 that the Vikings will go to the Big Easy in the postseason. After what happened a decade ago, no one is resting easy as the team heads to New Orleans. 2009 was the year when Saints coaches Sean Payton and Greg Williams orchestrated the ruthless “Bountygate” scandal, a dirty-hit program that saw the downfall of Brett Favre’s aging body, and Minnesota’s high hopes for the Super Bowl. You hate to dwell on the past, but some things aren’t easily forgotten.

The Vikings aren’t the only ones with painful memories in this relationship. It’s been two years since the Saints were embarrassed by the legendary Minneapolis Miracle, and they are chomping at the bit to harass the Vikings in their own home. Quarterback Drew Brees is looking to make his second run at the Lombardi, and the Vikings are one of only four teams standing in his way. 

With this kind of history, it’s hard to find anyone, including a Minnesota fan, who has confidence in the Vikings. After all, the team will be without two key corners, Mike Hughes and Mackensie Alexander. Nonetheless, the postseason is no time for excuses, or fairweather fans. To even have a chance at winning, the players and fans must have faith in coach Zimmer, and themselves. 

On Friday, Vikings owners Mark and Zigi Wilf gave both Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman a vote of confidence, saying they wanted the duo leading Minnesota in 2020 and beyond. This was the perfect time for a comment like this, and fans should side with the Wilf family. Whether they’re down two corners or at full strength, I have faith in this team.

The Vikings pulled off the Minneapolis Miracle in 2017, and there’s no reason they can’t start the new year with a Beatdown in the Big Easy. Minnesota is essentially coming off of a bye week, and all units of the team have shown elite talent at some point throughout the season. It’s a tall order, but if the offense, defense, and special teams can each put on marquee performances, the Saints won’t stand a chance. Even if one of the units plays out of their mind, and the others do anything short of crumble, this is going to be a heck of a game.

An “expert” had the Vikings going 5-11, while I had the team going 11-5. It didn’t matter what someone else said then, and it doesn’t matter what a dozen experts are saying now. My final prediction: two full-throttle offenses go head to head, and two talented defenses have uneventful days. Final score: Vikings 27, Saints 24.

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Strange Season Finale Lies Ahead of Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are only hours away from their season finale against the Chicago Bears. After a disheartening loss to the Green Bay Packers last week, many fans were hoping the Kirk Cousins-led offense would bounce back and maul the Bears at home. However, multiple reports say Cousins and some of the starters will sit against Chicago, so that probably won’t be the case. Without Cousins, let’s look at what the Vikings have to lose, and why fans should be excited to see backup Sean Mannion take the reigns.

Same game, different season

It isn’t supposed to happen like this, but the NFL has now scheduled a week 17 Vikings vs. Bears matchup for four years in a row. Aside from last year, this game always seems to be a snooze-fest where the Vikings have nothing to play for. In the past, Minnesota has either already been eliminated from the playoffs, or they were in the playoffs with next to no chance to improve their positioning. This year we’re seeing the latter, and there is literally zero chance of changing their destiny. The Vikings have earned the 6th-seed in the playoffs, regardless of tomorrow’s outcome.

Winning only hurts draft pick

In any sport, winning is rarely a bad thing. Surprisingly, the Vikings could actually hurt themselves by beating the Bears. A win would only worsen the team’s draft pick this coming April, while a loss doesn’t seem to come with any consequences. Fans might as well hope the team plays well, but somehow ends up losing by a small margin. Talk about a weird game!

Chance to see Mannion

Some questions on the Vikings roster have been answered over the course of the season, but there is still a big mystery yet to be solved. Meet Sean Mannion. He doesn’t get talked about much, but the former third-round pick is second in command after Kirk Cousins. Normally, nobody wants to see the backup quarterback in action, as it would mean that the starter, aka the $84 million man, went down. This strange Sunday matchup will be a rare opportunity for Mannion to see some action sans injury to Cousins, and it will be invaluable for the Vikings front office as they approach the offseason. 

Having hardly played since being drafted by the Rams, Mannion’s floor, ceiling, and current talent level is somewhat unknown. If he plays and performs well against the Bears, Minnesota may be more inclined to steer away from the draft and towards giving their current backup another contract this offseason. If Mannion plays poorly, I doubt he wears purple for another season. If you’re looking for a reason not to sell your tickets, or just to tune in to the game via TV or radio, this should be reason number one.

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