The Minnesota Vikings have been probably the most disrespected successful group within the NFL this season. Despite an 8-1 document, only a few outdoors the state of Minnesota consider the Vikings are a “real” contender within the NFC. Even after surprisingly pulling out an extra time victory over the Buffalo Bills final week, most individuals nonetheless have to see extra from Kirk Cousins and crew.
Well, the proof is in that Minneapolis pudding, and they should proceed exhibiting it in Week 11 with the Dallas Cowboys on the town for a late Sunday afternoon showdown. The Cowboys had additionally been rolling at 6-2 heading into final week’s sport with Green Bay. Then, in fact, the Cowboys did what the Cowboys all the time do within the face of prosperity. Dallas dropped this sport to Green Bay, though they had been favored to win on the street.
Minnesota is in an analogous state of affairs, however whereas they aren’t technically favored on this sport (1.5-point underdogs), most analysts and followers view them in the identical mild because the Cowboys. Just when it seems to be like they’ve turned the nook after a giant win, it’d be similar to Cousins to have a type of mistake-riddled video games and lose. That could be validation for all of the Vikings’ critics to say, “we told you so.”
A win over the Cowboys would put the Vikings in a great place for home-field benefit within the NFC heading towards the tip of the season. Although Minnesota dropped their head-to-head match-up with Philadelphia early within the 12 months, they’ve climbed again right into a tie for the No. 1 seed with the Eagles.
At 8-1, the Eagles and Vikings are neck and neck, with Philly seemingly having a harder schedule down the stretch. The Eagles nonetheless have video games left in opposition to Tennessee, Dallas, and the Giants twice. After going through Dallas this week, Minnesota has notable video games remaining in opposition to the Jets and Giants.
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So, Minnesota must maintain doing what they’re doing, and residential subject is prone to change into a actuality. With the Vikings, everybody acknowledges the expertise of vast receiver Justin Jefferson. Entering the season, he stated he wished to be often called one of the best wideout within the NFL, and he’s gone above and past in making his case. Jefferson is averaging over 117 receiving yards per sport this season and is on tempo to surpass Randy Moss for probably the most receiving yards within the first three seasons for any participant in NFL historical past.
But in terms of the man throwing him the ball, everyone seems to be reluctant to offer Cousins any flowers. Somebody’s bought to go the rock to Jefferson so he could make these spectacular catches just like the one-handed seize in opposition to the Bills. Cousins handed for 357 yards in opposition to one of many higher defenses within the league in Buffalo. He isn’t Patrick Mahomes, however Cousins hasn’t had many video games the place he’s made the massive errors that price Minnesota. Cousins is enjoying throughout the offense, leading to them being tied for one of the best document within the league.
A win over Dallas ought to make Minnesota the favourite for home-field benefit within the NFC and will make believers out of most. Obviously, this isn’t a must-win sport for the Vikings, however within the courtroom of public opinion, this sport couldn’t be any larger.