Ahead of a Sunday Night Football showdown between the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings in Week 11, we asked Tyler Forness of Vikings Wire five questions about Minnesota and the SNF matchup. Check out our questions and Tyler’s answers below.
1
The Josh Dobbs story has been cool to follow from a distance. Do you think he can keep the momentum going in Minnesota?
I really think he can. When you watched the first game, there really wasn’t anything he did that you could classify as sustainable. Against the New Orleans Saints, the signals were all positive that it can be continued. (I did a film breakdown here.) Dobbs is doing things that are translatable, especially as you look at his process. He stands well in the pocket and tries to beat you with his arm instead. That is sustainable.
2
How has Dalton Risner looked for the Vikings -- do you think he will get a contract extension after the season?
It’s a complicated answer. We know the connection that he has with offensive line coach Chris Kuper and his performance prompted the team to trade Ezra Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars. On the field, he’s been overall good but inconsistent. He gets blown up too often and has been losing to quickness and when on the move. It’s hard to say if Risner will get an extension due to the extensions due to Christian Darrisaw, Justin Jefferson and Danielle Hunter this offseason, but it’s not out of the question.
3
Do the Vikings have any notable weaknesses the Broncos might be able to exploit?
You need to take advantage of the Vikings when they send blitzes. When the Vikings played the Los Angeles Chargers, they blitzed Justin Herbert 82% if the time. The theory being that if they make Herbert make all of his decisions quickly, it will be easier to win the game. Herbert made them pay by being very successful when they did blitz. If the Broncos want to beat the Vikings, they will need to take advantage of the blitzes along with playing smart when they drop eight. The Vikings are tops in the NFL in doing both things.
4
Name an underrated Minnesota player that Denver fans should be aware of this week.
If you haven’t heard about safety Camryn Bynum yet, you will soon. The third-year safety of out Cal was a cornerback in college that didn’t have enough athletics to thrive at cornerback. He’s taken his technical prowess and intelligence to the safety position and made himself one of the better young safeties in the game. You will see Bynum do a little bit of everything. He will blitz, play in the box and play deep. The Vikings arguably have the best safety room in the NFL and they will be a major impact on Sunday.
5
What's your prediction for Sunday -- who wins and why?
This is a tough game. Both teams are riding heaters but the Vikings are currently on a bigger one, having won five in a row. The momentum they have is incredible and they have been doing it without multiple star players, including Justin Jefferson missing the last five games. The Vikings are going to continue that on Sunday and make Russell Wilson suffer at the hands of Brian Flores’ defense. Vikings 23, Broncos 16.
