Category: Minnesota Vikings

Thielen, Joseph miss Wednesday’s Vikings practice

Both Adam Thielen and Linval Joseph missed last week’s game with a hamstring and knee injury, respectively.

The Vikings were without nose tackle Linval Joseph (knee), wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring), guard Josh Kline (concussion) and defensive tackle Shamar Stephen at Wednesday’s practice as the team prepares to take on the Broncos in Week 11.

Joseph and Thielen missed last week’s game against the Cowboys, while Kline and Stephen suffered injuries in that game.

It feels unlikely that Joseph or Thielen will play in Week 11 against the Broncos considering the Vikings have a bye in Week 12. Why not give the players an extra week off before preparing for the final five games of the season?

We’ll update you on the status of these players throughout the week.

Titans sign FB Khari Blasingame from Vikings practice squad

If you recall, Blasingame was competing with C.J. Ham to make the team through training camp and preseason.

Fullback Khari Blasingame is no longer a Minnesota Viking.

On Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans signed Blasingame to their 53-man roster form the Vikings practice squad.

If you recall, Blasingame was competing with C.J. Ham to make the team through training camp and preseason.

Blasingame orginally signed with the Vikings this offseason after going undrafted out of Vanderbilt.

The Vikings practice squad now sits at nine players. Wide receiver Davion Davis, who the Vikings released on Tuesday, is expected to be brought back.

Vikings NT Linval Joseph could be back sooner rather than later

It’s probably fair to wonder if Joseph could play in Week 13 when the Vikings travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks.

Vikings nose tackle Linval Joseph missed Sunday night’s game against the Cowboys after undergoing knee surgery last week, the Star Tribune reported.

When will we see Joseph? Could it possibly be in Week 11 against the Broncos?

“I don’t know yet,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “Could be back this week. We’ll see.” 

It seems very unlikely that Joseph would be back so quickly, but considering the team has a bye in Week 12, it’s probably fair to wonder if Joseph could play in Week 13 when the Vikings travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks.

Per Pro Football Focus, Joseph has a player grade of 74.9, a mark that ranks 35th out of 121 interior defenders.

If Joseph can’t play in Week 11, we’ll see a few players fill his spot with Jaleel Johnson likely starting.

Will Broncos QB Brandon Allen continue a trend vs. Vikings?

The Vikings have already had Chase Daniel and Matt Moore beat them this season. They are hoping Allen isn’t added to this list. 

With Joe Flacco out for the rest of the season with a neck injury, Brandon Allen finds himself as the starting quarterback of the 3-6 Denver Broncos.

Allen, a 2016 sixth-round pick out of Arkansas, started his first-career game in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns and finished with 190 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He attempted just 20 passes.

The Browns defense isn’t exactly the Vikings defense and there’s a good chance Allen will have to throw the ball if the Broncos want to steal one at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Vikings have been solid against the run, allowing just 91 rushing yards per game, a mark that ranks seventh in the NFL. The pass defense, however, has been exposed. Minnesota is allowing 241 passing yards per game, a mark that ranks 18th in the NFL. That will be Denver’s opportunity.

The Vikings have already had Chase Daniel and Matt Moore beat them this season. If Allen is added to this list, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer might just lose it.

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook named NFC Offensive Player of the Week

It’s the second time Cook has won the award. He won it in Week 15 in 2018 against the Dolphins.

After finishing with 183 total yards (97 rushing, 86 receiving) in the Vikings’ Week 11 win over the Cowboys, running back Dalvin Cook has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

It’s the second time Cook has won the award. He won it in Week 15 in 2018 against the Dolphins. Cook is the only running back to win the award with Mike Zimmer as head coach of the Vikings.

It’s been quite the season for the third-year running back. He leads the league with 991 rushing yards to go with 10 touchdowns. He’s also added 40 catches for 424 yards.

He’s on pace for 1,585 yards and 16 touchdowns to go with 64 catches and 678 yards. Not only are those Pro Bowl numbers, but those are also probably All-Pro numbers.

Cook will hit the 1,000-yard mark this Sunday against the Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Broncos are allowing 107 rushing yards per game, a mark that ranks 17th in the NFL.

NFC playoff picture after Week 10

The Vikings and Seahawks had huge wins, while the Saints lost their first-round bye position.

The NFC playoff picture is looking a little clearer as far as who will make it, but it’s muddled as far as positioning goes.

Here’s where the NFC stands after Week 10.

First-Round Byes

49ers, 8-1
Packers, 7-2

The 49ers took a hit on Monday Night Football, losing to their division rivals. San Francisco is now only a game up for first place in the division.

The Packers hung on against the Panthers and managed to move up in the standings thanks to the Falcons stunning the Saints.

Wild Card Round

No. 6 Vikings (7-3) at No. 3 Saints (7-2)

No. 5 Seahawks (8-2) at No. 4 Cowboys (5-4)

The Vikings and Seahawks both had huge statement wins over the Cowboys and 49ers, respectively.

It should be fun when the two teams face off in Week 12 in Seattle.

Holding On . . .

Rams, 5-4
Eagles, 5-4
Panthers, 5-4
Bears, 4-5

The Eagles suddenly find themselves back in conversation in the NFC East, while the Rams and Bears play in Week 11. The loser of that game will have a pretty tough time making it back to the playoffs considering this group is already 2.5 games back.

Vikings waive WR Davion Davis

The Vikings released wide receiver Davion Davis on Tuesday. Davis was an undrafted free agent who has spent time going back and forth between the team’s active roster and practice squad. If I had to guess, the Vikings will probably try to get Davis …

The Vikings released wide receiver Davion Davis on Tuesday.

Davis was an undrafted free agent who has spent time going back and forth between the team’s active roster and practice squad.

If I had to guess, the Vikings will probably try to get Davis back on their practice squad.

The Vikings have not made a corresponding roster move, but Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press notes that it could be for Josh Doctson, who is eligible to return from the IR with a hamstring injury.

Wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) missed Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. It feels like a good bet the Vikings would rest him in Week 11 with the team having its bye in Week 12.

Vikings vs. Broncos Week 11 broadcast info

This is Minnesota’s last game before its Week 12 bye.

The 7-3 Vikings host the 3-6 Broncos in Week 11 of the NFL season at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Kickoff is set for noon CT on Nov. 17.

For those streaming, try fuboTV. You can get started here for free.

The game will air on CBS (note: not FOX). Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Jay Feely will be on the call.

For those listening locally, tune into 100.3 KFAN-FM. Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman and Ben Leber will be on the call.

This is Minnesota’s last game before its Week 12 bye.

The Vikings are 7-7 all-time against the Broncos, but have lost their last three games. They go into this game as 10.5-point favorites.

Vikings open as big favorites vs. Broncos

The Vikings are 7-7 all-time against the Broncos.

The 7-3 Vikings host the 3-6 Broncos in Week 11 of the NFL season.

Per BetMGM, the Vikings have opened as 10.5-point favorites in the game. A bet on the Vikings to cover pays at -110, while a bet on the Broncos to cover also pays at -110.

A money line bet on the Vikings pays at -500, while a money line bet on the Broncos pays at +375.

The over/under for the game is 39.5. The over pays at -115, while the under pays at -106.

The Vikings are 7-7 all-time against the Broncos. Denver has won the last three games between the two teams, most recntly in 2015 when the Broncos won 23-20 in Denver behind 103 rushing yards on just 11 attempts from Ronnie Hillman.

The Vikings have a bye in Week 12.

To round out the NFC North, the

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Vikings move up spot in power rankings

The Vikings find themselves just a half-game back from a first-round bye in the NFC.

After their 28-24 win over the Cowboys on Sunday night, the Minnesota Vikings improved to 7-3 on the season.

The win bumped them up from eighth to seventh in USA TODAY’s Week 10 power rankings.

It was a big win for the Vikings, and Kirk Cousins, on primetime against a winning team.

The Vikings find themselves just a half game back from a first-round bye in the NFC.

To round out the NFC North, the Packers rank sixth, the Bears rank 21st and the Lions rank 27th.

In Week 11, the Vikings host the 3-6 Broncos. The Broncos rank 25th in the power rankings.