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 throws against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/brycemin.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=646,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/brycemin.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button”><figcaption> Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure>
<p>The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by<em> VikingsTerritory</em>. Today is the September 16th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].</p>
<h4>Questions Answered: Bryce Young’s Availability, Early Team Grade, Are the Vikings for Real?</h4>
<p>Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.</p>
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Q: Do you fully buy into this Vikings team?
 and head coach Kevin O’Connell talk before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24241789.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24241789.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24241789-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><span><strong>Answer:</strong></span> We are fully bought into the team as a playoff contender. A 2-0 start will do that — almost every time. </p>
<p>As a Super Bowl contender? No, not yet. The statistics claim they’re a Top 10 team — they rank fourth leaguewide in defense and sixth in the offense per EPA/Play — but sustainability will be key. Somehow, Minnesota defeated San Francisco by six points <em>without </em>a clean game, which wasn’t on anyone’s bingo board.</p>
<p>We’ll need to see about 10 more games to learn if Sam Darnold stays consistent. Then, in theory, Super Bowl whispers might make sense. </p>
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
