Hello everyone, and welcome to the Week 2 Minnesota Vikings postgame roundtable here at Daily Norseman. The Vikes are coming off an ugly 9-3 win at Skoldier Field, and are now alone atop the NFC North at 2-0.
Did the Vikings beat the Bears? Did the Bears beat themselves? Did Caleb Williams really need a cart to leave the field?
Let’s talk to it:
Question 1: Let’s freestyle for a minute — get your initial thoughts out about the Vikings beating the Bears in Week 2, 9-3.
Brandon Warne: An ugly win is still a win. It’s hard to know if more credit should be given to the defense, the man running it behind the scenes, the conditions
or the gawd-awful footing, but all of it came together for a nail-biter instant classic that still could have gone the other way in the closing moments.
Warren Ludford: The Vikings leveraged the key elements of winning better than their opponent — turnovers, situational football, and special teams — but once again fell short in yard-based metrics. That’s fine occasionally, but it’s not sustainable without a more productive offense. Still, the Vikings could make a run in the playoffs after winning the division.
Craig Williams: I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was a lucky win, but it was definitely a win by slim margins. A win in Chicago is always a good win, and starting 2-0 in the NFC North is a great place to be. I am concerned about the offense, though, and I’m hoping it looks better once Murray is back under center.
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Question 2: Who was your Vikings MVP?
BW: I think it has to be Dallas Turner, who may have already filed change-of-address forms to show he lives in the Bears backfield. I’m actually not-so-secretly enjoying roasting all the people who were so sure he was a bust before he’d even played a full year. By the way, here’s a fun fact: Turner is 23 and he’s not going to be 24 until right around the Super Bowl. Jared Verse, who went two picks after him in the draft, was nearly 24 when he played his first NFL game, and will be 26 in just over a month.
WL: Aaron Jones. He was the bell cow the Vikings needed in this game despite being a bit older to still take on this role. He had over 100 yards and 4.6 ypa and no turnovers. That was key when passing yards were hard to come by.
CW: How is Dallas Turner not the answer here? Jalen Redmond had a fantastic game. Aaron Jones carried the offense. Will Reichard scored all of the team’s points. That all being said, Turner is playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level right now. It’s early, but he’s been a stud for two straight weeks.
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Question 3: Who was your Vikings LVP?
BW: I’m not seeing it from Josh Metellus so far this season. I just have thought the angles for tackles and the pass coverage have been lacking so far. I’m willing to be wrong about this.
WL: Caleb Banks. He showed improvement in his second game and had a few stops, but he also got schooled on the Bears’ opening drive of the second half, which allowed them to drive to the one-yard line before fumbling.
CW: Theo Jackson has been a dud among the studs. He’s struggled to tackle consistently and has become the weak spot in an otherwise outstanding defense.
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Question 4: Real talk — Caleb Williams carted off for a hamstring injury….fair or foul?
BW: I have a hard time caring too much about it — but the talking heads are paid for this and Twitter (I will not call it the other name) is built for overreaction — but I will say that the memes have been absolute gold.
WL: Fair. Shit happens. Just bad luck for the Bears. No sympathy or excuses for them facing a team that started their backup quarterback the whole game.
CW: It’s hard for me to criticize injured players, but that wasn’t a great look. He looked like Paul Pierce in the wheelchair during the playoffs. I also just realized that half our audience is probably too young to understand that reference. That was 18 years ago, so look it up. Pierce got wheeled off the court after colliding with a teammate and then magically returned about two minutes later.
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Question 5: The rematch in Minnesota later this season: What are you expecting?
BW: It’s honestly too soon to even guess. It’ll be in better weather (read: none) conditions, you’d assume both teams have their preferred quarterbacks starting that game — whoever that might be for the Vikings at that point — and it’s a home game. KOC’s Vikings can be tough at home. I’m feeling a win, but why would I say otherwise?
WL: A better game on a decent field. Beyond that, difficult to say. Hopefully the Vikings will have wrapped things up and will be playing their second string.
CW: I’d expect a similar game next week. There might actually be a touchdown or two this time, but I still think it’ll be a slugfest. (Editor’s note: Craig may have misunderstood the question)
