Vikings moving on up, Beat Packers 23-10

My oh my, can the Vikings play defense, as shown by victories over QBs Drew Brees, Jameis Winston, Mitchell Trubisky, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Hundley. Only one team has scored 20 or more points against them, and that’s Pittsburgh.

So far, injuries and protests have highlighted the 2017 NFL season, and we have a long way to go. It was cut bait time Sunday for the Vikings in an NFC North showdown against the Green Bay Packers.

After their first round of Division tussles head to head with Detroit, Chicago and Green Bay, the Vikings have climbed into a first-place tie. Sunday’s important 23-10 win draws them even with Green Bay, the team to beat. Ten games remain with more questions than answers about starting quarterback Sam Bradford’s left knee and the possible return of Teddy Bridgewater to practice this week and to the active roster.

Backup QB Case Keenum has played well and led the Vikings to three wins in four games. Jerick McKinnon has replaced injured Dalvin Cook while Latavius Cook struggles. The Packers’ loss of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a shoulder injury Sunday after being hit by Anthony Barr could change the Division order. Injuries, unfortunately, are part of football this season; the NFL has lost several big stars.

Aaron Rodgers heads the list with J.J. Watt, Andrew Luck, Odell Beckum, Jr., Ryan Tannehill, Julian Edelman, Markus Golden, Sam Bradford and Dalvin Cook. These are just a few of many marquee stars who are out because of injuries.
Sunday the 3-3 Baltimore Ravens are here to play the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh has won a Super Bowl and needs two wins to reach 100 in his career. If the Vikings win Sunday it would be three wins in a row, and the following week they travel to London to play winless 0-6 Cleveland.

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday-Friday at 12:17 pm and 4:17 pm, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.