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HappyViking said:
I'd bet Kirk and the OL are all working hard to avoid all the batted passes after the six he had on Sunday. The Jets already have 10 picks and 9 forced fumbles this season, and I'm sure they're very aware that Kirk is vulnerable to strip sacks and fumbles when pressured. Apparently this is how the Jets have thrived this season. Their D gives Darold a short field, and they take advantage.
Kirk needs to take care of the ball, and having a running game should help that. Hopefully Murray, Boone, and Thomas (Cook too?) all do well, and don't cough up the ball. I think mistake free football is the key to winning. The running game should open up the passing attack for AT, Diggs, Rudy and others as well.
The D needs to stop the run, and make the rookie QB beat them with his arm.
This should be a good game, but it should also be winnable.
Go Vikes - SKOL!
This game should be a blowout. I know that's not cool to say and, yes, I saw the Buffalo game, but this team does not even belong on the same field as the Vikings. If they were healthy, that would be another story, but they could seriously be without two of their three best corners, their starting deep safety, and both of their starting wides.
Prediction:
The Jets play the run fairly well and we don't block it very well. That combined with the fact that their secondary is in tatters means the Vikings are likely going to attack through the air. It also means that Dalvin Cook, likely to return this week, may struggle and there will be folks on Monday wondering if Latavius Murray should be our starter. Watch, it will happen.
With their best receivers in the tub, the Jets will likely try to run the ball with Bilal Powell and Isaiah Crowell (who also may not play due to a foot injury). Either way, the Vikings give up 3.9 yards per carry so I don't see either one being particularly effective. 3rd WR Jermaine Kearse will have to have a big game in order for this to be close.
So that leaves one glaring imbalance. Vikings passing game vs. the Jets depleted secondary. And that's a HUGE mismatch. If Buster Skrine doesn't play, Adam Thielen draws Parry Nickerson, who just might be the worst slot corner in the NFL. If Trumaine Johnson doesn't play, then Diggs probably draws Morris Claiborne in shadow coverage. According to PFF, the cornerbacks who shadowed receivers most last season were Patrick Peterson (11 games), followed by Morris Claiborne (10--tied with Rhodes, btw). But the difference between the two is pretty remarkable. "Out of 91 qualifying cornerbacks last season, Peterson ranked fourth-best in yards allowed per route in coverage, while Claiborne ranked 44th." So Diggs, while he will once again draw the top corner, he should see a little more space in this game (assuming we can protect Cousins beyond a 3-step drop), especially considering the Jets' starting deep safety is also out. This could also be a nice game for Treadwell considering the other starting boundary (Johnson) corner may not play.
Vikings 38, Jets 13