The Minnesota Vikings acquired to rest up on their bye in 7 days 7, but the holiday vacation is about. Now, the endeavor at hand is defeating Kyler Murray and the 3-4 Arizona Cardinals this future weekend.
On the surface area, it seems like this should really be simple. For several weeks, Arizona’s offense was reeling underneath Kliff Kingsbury, and their protection allows 25.1 details per activity. On top of that, a bye week typically signifies a group receives further time to prepare for an opponent, offering them an advantage.
No these benefit has existed for Minnesota in the latest heritage, and the Vikings ought to quell some article-bye demons in get to get a gain this week.
Considering the fact that 2010, the Vikings are 3-9 in online games adhering to a bye week, together with 1-3 in the Kirk Cousins period. The only win with Cousins at QB arrived in 2020 as the Vikings hosted the Environmentally friendly Bay Packers in 7 days 8 and received, 28-22.
This negative luck in online games subsequent the bye stretches even additional for the Vikings, however. Their to start with-calendar year head coach Kevin O’Connell has some demons of his have. In the three decades he put in as an offensive coordinator in advance of coming to Minnesota, O’Connell’s teams are 1-2 pursuing the bye.
As for defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, you could not have drawn up a additional unfavorable matchup heading into 7 days 8. So far in 2022, Kyler Murray has rushed 46 times for 263 yards. If you need to have a reminder, Donatell defenses have nevertheless to figure out how to quit cell QBs.
Moreover, the Cardinals obtained DeAndre Hopkins back this previous week, and he instantly acquired 14 targets from Murray in Arizona’s 42-34 victory in excess of the New Orleans Saints. He’ll be a significant challenge for the Vikings secondary that also has to deal with Zach Ertz and Rondale Moore. Past year in opposition to the Vikings, Murray handed 400 yards in a victory.
Last but not least, don’t allow the very low defensive rankings idiot you (27th in PPG and total yards authorized). Outside of Week 1’s reduction versus the Chiefs and their 42-34 victory about the Saints, Arizona’s defense has been stout. They’ve authorized 20 or less details in 4 of their other 5 games versus superior-traveling offenses like the Eagles and Seahawks.
This is heading to be a really tricky video game for the Vikings to acquire, even at dwelling coming off the bye 7 days. We’ll see if they are up to the take a look at when the activity kicks off at 12 PM CST on October 30th.
Josh Frey is a Course of 2020 graduate of The School of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Inventive Producing as very well as minors in Historical past, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not crafting about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon schooling, participating in video clip video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For a lot more of his opinions, check out out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Hen.