Minnesota Vikings News and Links, 21 November 2023

I can see the Vikings getting to 7-5 before the Bengals game. It kind of is an imperative at this point. I think they get by the Bengals as well.

The Lions face the Packers, Saints, and Bears so they could be 11-2.

Wont matter because if we beat them we win the division.

Since yore last open thread ...

Vikings place Dean Lowry on IR, activate Chris Reed

NFL suspends Kareem Jackson for four games for hit on Josh Dobbs

Other Vikings News

O’Connell Offers Updates on Justin Jefferson, Ty Chandler’s Role & Joshua Dobbs

Justin Jefferson is questionable for Monday night The Vikings are within Justin Jefferson’s 21-day activation window for returning from Injured Reserve, and the team feels confident its star receiver is nearing a return. Connell said he views Jefferson as “questionable” for Monday night after a week of limited practices. The team has seven full days to prepare for Chicago. Jefferson has missed the past six games due to a hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve after Week 5. “There’s been some real urgency throughout this whole process, but also a mindset on being smart and making sure that he feels as good as possible, as good as we can, to him feeling 100 percent when he comes back,” O’Connell said. “It’s one of those things that knowing that you have the bye and knowing you have five critical opportunities to come after that bye, we have to be smart. This is a player that means a ton to our organization.” Ty Chandler’s role “It’s pretty obvious to see his burst is his athleticism. He’s an exciting player with the ball in his hands. We try to find different ways to get it in his hands throughout the game,” O’Connell said. I’m excited about his long-term future, but I’m also excited about his opportunities coming up, you know, Monday night and how he can impact the game.” Dobbs and O’Connell still learning “I think we learn a lot about each other at every opportunity we get,” O’Connell said. “We’re making up for a lot of lost time. Some of the things we’re learning about and he’s probably learning about our offense sometimes don’t always equal great results, but they’re real growth moments for Josh and our offense.” Against the Broncos, Dobbs completed 20 of 32 passes for 221 yards and two total touchdowns. Both his scores were off-script opportunities courtesy of his athletic playmaking ability. In three games with the Vikings, Dobbs has completed 63 of his 96 pass attempts for 647 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Barring injury, he’ll be the Vikings quarterback as the team pushes for a playoff berth with six games remaining. O’Connell said he is looking forward to continuing to grow with Dobbs. “I’m proud of the way Josh is going out there and competing,” O’Connell said. “You can tell his teammates just respect the heck out of him for how he’s going about his business throughout the week of preparation. He will continue to improve, and I’m excited to keep coaching him to help him do it.” Vikings Coach Breaks Silence on Alex Mattison’s Costly Fumble

Asked about Mattison’s fumble that Denver to crawl back to a one-score deficit early in the fourth quarter of an eventual 21-20 loss, O’Connell defended the team’s starting running back, stating Mattison played well and was not responsible for the loss despite an inopportune timing of his turnover. “It was a big play,” O’Connell said in his postgame news conference, per the Star Tribune. “I thought Alex ran the ball really well tonight, so did Ty [Chandler]. I saw a really nice balance of both of those guys out there. There’s no question it was a critical play, but not one we couldn’t overcome.” “I thought the fake punt was critical. Great execution by our guys. A big momentum play that was hoping to try to put the game into a place where we can try to defend it and win it. I just think Ty in general is explosive. You can feel it when he’s out there,” O’Connell said. “The yards after catch, the ability to still be physical but yet explosive. There’s a lot that we really love about Ty Chandler. I thought Alex (RB Alexander Mattison) ran it well, physical, a lot of yards after contact tonight. The guy’s up front did a nice job gap scheme plays, different variations and just trying to keep that front a little bit off balance and I thought both backs did a really nice job.”Yore Mock

Trade Partner: Jaguars Received: Pick 52 Received: Pick 59, Pick 115 ...

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