The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon in a must-win game for both teams.
The Vikings currently sit at 6-6 and are the sixth seed in the NFC. They control their own destiny and will have a playoff spot just by winning out. They also can potentially win the NFC North with some help from the Detroit Lions. The Lions currently sit at 9-3 but have a very difficult schedule down the stretch.
The Raiders on the other hand need some help. They are 5-7 on the season and are 2-2 under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. If they get the win this week and next week over the Los Angeles Chargers, they could be within spitting distance of a wild card spot, a position they are currently two games out of heading into week 14.
Against the Raiders, these four players will need to have a good game to leave Las Vegas with a much-needed victory.
Managing editor Tyler Forness: RT Brian O'Neill
The key to a Vikings victory on Sunday afternoon is going to be getting the offense going. The biggest caveat to accomplishing that is going to be blocking star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. He ranks fifth in pressures per Pro Football Focus this season and is a constant on the right side of the line. O’Neill has been up to the task more often than not this season and stalling Crosby enough is going to be pivotal in getting the win.
Columnist Judd Zulgad: QB Josh Dobbs
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell gave thought to replacing Dobbs following two shaky outings but will give the veteran quarterback at least one more start. Dobbs threw four interceptions in the Vikings’ loss to the Chicago Bears before the bye week and had two turnovers in a loss at Denver. O’Connell knows those types of mistakes can’t continue, but he’s also had a week to devise a game plan that might be a better fit for Dobbs. It doesn’t hurt that Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson also will be back in the mix after missing seven games.
Columnist Saivion Mixson: CB Byron Murphy Jr.
No matter how the Las Vegas Raiders may look this season or who is calling the shots, Davante Adams is still Davante Adams.
Adams is still one of the best separators, route-runners and overall receivers in the league and with the aggressive nature of Flores’ defense, he could be seeing a lot of one-on-ones.
The beneficiary of those one-on-one matchups will likely be Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy. His versatility allows him to follow Adams whether he lines up in the slot or on the outside. The Raiders will do everything in their power to get Adams touches, especially when the usual solution to an aggressive defense is to get the ball out quickly. Limiting a talent like Adams takes a team effort, but it starts with Murphy cutting off the quick throw opportunities to Adams early.
Columninst Chris Spooner: OLB Danielle Hunter
No matter how the Las Vegas Raiders may look this season or who is calling the shots, Davante Adams is still Davante Adams.
Adams is still one of the best separators, route-runners and overall receivers in the league and with the aggressive nature of Flores’ defense, he could be seeing a lot of one-on-ones.
The beneficiary of those one-on-one matchups will likely be Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy. His versatility allows him to follow Adams whether he lines up in the slot or on the outside. The Raiders will do everything in their power to get Adams touches, especially when the usual solution to an aggressive defense is to get the ball out quickly. Limiting a talent like Adams takes a team effort, but it starts with Murphy cutting off the quick throw opportunities to Adams early.
