The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of what many considered entering the year to be the toughest part of its schedule.
So far, that dubbing has lived up to the assumption as the Vikings are 0-2 following their bye week with losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers. The 23-point blowout loss to the Chargers on Thursday was particularly difficult to watch.
However, this stretch might be getting a bit tougher after the latest news released this weekend.
Vikings’ Gauntlet Might Be Getting More Daunting
Jay Glazer of FOX NFL Sunday reported on Sunday that Lamar Jackson is expected to return to the field in Week 9. Assuming that is the case, and Jackson remains healthy through that game, the Vikings would then have a date with a Baltimore Ravens team featuring the MVP quarterback in Week 10.
“As far as Lamar, [the Ravens] were hoping coming off the bye that he’d be healthy enough, but he just wasn’t there. They wanted him to be fully confident because they play two games in four days, so while they’re going to hold him out [Week 8], they do expect him to go Thursday, Glazer said.
That’s right, the Vikings will also have to go against this Ravens team when they are coming off a mini bye week after Baltimore plays the Miami Dolphins this upcoming Thursday.
Jackson has missed the previous three games because of a hamstring injury suffered in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs. As a result, Baltimore plummeted to 1-5 on the season before getting back on track this Sunday with a win against the Chicago Bears.
This week, there has been a bit of a kerfuffle around the league because of Baltimore inaccurately listing Jackson as a full practice participant on Friday before changing that designation to limited on Saturday. It came because Jackson practiced “in full” but with the scout team, and because he didn’t take any starters snaps, he is not allowed to be listed as a full participant.
That could lead to some league discipline for Baltimore, but in short, what matters is Jackson likely will be on the field when the Ravens travel to Minnesota.
These next four games could either make or break the Vikings’ season as they will play all three of their division rivals and Baltimore. With a 4-0 or 3-1 record in those games, Minnesota will be right back in the mix for a playoff spot. However, a 1-3 or 0-4 record in this next month could spell the end of Minnesota’s playoff hopes.
The Vikings are likely to make a quarterback change next weekend as well with J.J. McCarthy set to return to the starting lineup to replace Carson Wentz.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
