By: Jake Rajala

The Minnesota Vikings will play with their hair on fire against their NFC North divisional foe in the Green Bay Packers this weekend. Over the prior 10 contests between the Vikings and Packers, the team that once featured the Purple People Eaters has won five games and tied one contest. With that said, I’m going to untwine five reasons why the Vikings can continue to have the upper ground on the Pack and come out with a victory this weekend.

• Danielle Hunter

“It is time” – Kevin Greene

The Minnesota Vikings fearless edge rusher Danielle Hunter was undoubtedly on pace for a career season in 2021. He registered six sacks, 10 QB hits, and 6 TFLs in seven match-ups last season. Unfortunately, the world ended for Hunter when he suffered a torn pectoral against the Dallas Cowboys. I trust in him mopping the floor against a Packers OL that has a somewhat rusty David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins.

• Dalvin Cook

It may be easy to peg Dalvin Cook as a reason that the Viks can ruin the Packers day on Sunday. Nonetheless, I expect him to be heavily leaned on against a Packers defense that will be hard to defeat in the passing game. Cook is healthy (for now) and he can really deliver against a Packers defense that gave up 163 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs to him not too long ago.

• Jalen Reagor

I love that the Vikings made a sneaky move to acquire Jalen Reagor. He may be an NFL bust at WR, but he could be an x-factor and a difference maker as a KR for the Vikings moving forward. Interestingly (to say the least), he scored a 73-yard punt return touchdown against the Packers in his career.

• Andrew Booth Jr.

I believe that Andrew Booth Jr. is already one of the most gifted CB3s in the league & he will establish his dominance against the likes of Randall Cobb and Christian Watson in their NFC North battle. Perhaps he will show on Sunday that he deserves to be in the DROY race.

• Irv Smith Jr.

Irv Smith Jr. is healthy (after missing the entire 2021 season) and ready to unleash hell against opponents. Irv Smith Jr. The Packers allowed the 11th most fantasy points to TEs last season and it’s clearly a superb opportunity for the Vikings TE to shine right away.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Kevin O’Connell-led Minnesota Vikings squad recently released its first depth chart ahead of their pre-season contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. With that stated, I’m going to simply untwine five takeaways from the Vikings depth chart.

Ed Ingram

The rookie Ed Ingram is technically listed as a backup to Jessee Davis at RG. However, it needs to be noted that Ed Ingram had first-team reps over Davis at their spot yesterday. I believe it’s a great sign that Ingram is on pace to start in Week 1 over the veteran guard that allowed eight sacks last season.

Armon Watts

The Vikings DL Armon Watts is unequivocally one of the unsung defenders on the Viks. After Watts had his best season in 2021 (five sacks, 10 QB hits, 46 combined tackles), he is set to start next to Dalvin Tomlinson on the IDL moving forward. Nonetheless, there have been murmurs of Suh landing with the team in the Twin Cities – which would hurt Watt’s playing time.

Jordan Hicks

It isn’t a surprise that the new, versatile LB Jordan Hicks is a starter across from Eric Kendricks, but it should be regarded that Hicks and Erick Kendricks appear to be a seriously potent LB duo this off-season. Hicks garnered 116 combined tackles and four sacks with the Cardinals a season ago.

Cameron Bynum

The 24-year-old Cameron Bynum had his first start in November of last season and had flashes of talent throughout 2021. He collected one interception, three pass deflections, 28 combined tackles, and one sack last season. Bynum is dubbed as a starting safety at this point and I feel the safety that recently had an int against Kirk Cousins should start across from Harrison Smith in Week 1.

Andrew Booth Jr.

It’s expected that the young Cameron Bynum starts for the Vikings secondary soon, but it appears that the Vikings are being patient with the 2022 second-round pick Andrew Booth Jr. He is currently pegged as a backup. It will be vital that Booth Jr. can climb the ladder and really help the Vikings in their likely (in my opinion) playoff battles.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Minnesota Vikings cornerback group wasn’t well-equipped to stop Aaron Rodgers and nearly the rest of their opposing quarterbacks in 2021. The veteran CB Patrick Peterson was expected to be a star player last season, but he only garnered a 63 grade by PFF. Peterson, who is a three-time All-Pro, returned on a friendly one-year deal worth $4 million dollars with the Vikings in 2022.

The soon-to-be third-year CB Cameron Dantzler has been a modest CB2 in a Vikings uniform. Dantzler registered a stout 73.8 grade by PFF last season. The Vikings added their much-needed muscle in a rookie by the name of Andrew Booth Jr and he should be an impressive force ASAP. The former Clemson CB that ousted 10 pass breakups and 5.5 tackles for loss in his junior season shockingly fell to the Vikings in the second round of the 2022 draft. He could be the x-factor for the Vikings defense moving forward.

The Vikings will also rely on CB Harrison Hand — who is entering his third season in the league. Hand had a mere five tackles in 2021, but he is line to garner more production next season.

All in all, it’s obvious that the Vikings don’t have the greatest experience at their CB3 and CB4 spot. Their youth is a part of the reason why the Viks CB spot isn’t the most inspiring position group. Hence, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if the very improved NFC North team added more ammunition to their CB group.

The Vikings defense could certainly benefit from adding one of the following available FA CBs: Trae Waynes, Janoris “Jackrabbit” Jenkins, Joe Haden, Kevin King, and Xavier Rhodes. I’m sure that fate will ensure that Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, and Kirk Cousins put up frequent fireworks. Although, the Vikings will need to feel their utmost confidence in stopping opposing NFC signal-callers from mopping the floor against their secondary.

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By: Jake Rajala

The NFL is full of surprises – which makes it entertaining year in and year out. With that said, I believe the 2022 DROY could be a surprise winner – as there are many talented rookies on defense. Hence, I’m going to simply untwine three darkhorse DROY candidates in 2022.

Quay Walker

I love the outlook for the Packers rookie LB Quay Walker, to say the least. Walker has been quite hard on himself already. Per 24 7 Sports, Walker stated, “That’s the main thing is trying to get my confidence back. Just believing there’s a reason I’m here as well”. Walker will showcase his talents for a Super Bowl contender and he also plays a position (LB) that has show-cased two DROY winners in the past four seasons.

Kaiir Elam

The Bills CB Tre’Davious White may be the best CB on the Bills, but the rookie Kaiir Elam will certainly have a key role in 2022. Leslie Frazier, who was named PFF’s best defensive play-caller by PFF, will help him routinely succeed against opposing WR2s. I also expect Elam to have a ton of opportunities – as opposing offenses “try” to keep pace with Josh Allen.

Andrew Booth Jr.

It’s safe to say that the Vikings had a steal in Andrew Booth Jr. (42nd overall). Booth is expected to shine early, according to CBS’s analyst Chris Trapasso. The first-round talent that was a Day 2 pick will have a pivotal role on a Vikings pass defense that desperately needed help this off-season. Booth should feel inspired to know that Marcus Peters (a popular Top-10 projection) slid to the Chiefs 18th overall and then went on to win DROY.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Minnesota Vikings defense rightfully resembled The Great Wall from the movie “The Great Wall” in 2021. The Vikings ranked 24th in PPG allowed and the Vikings pass defense sadly ranked 28th in passing YPG allowed a season ago. Nonetheless, I’m going to simply untwine three reasons why the Vikings defense will significantly improve in 2022.

The return of Danielle Hunter

The Vikings pass rush and pass defense will greatly benefit from a healthy Danielle Hunter (10 missed games in 2021). Hunter was from another planet in 2019 (14.5 sacks) and 2020 (14.5 sacks). Most importantly, Hunter was on pace for his best NFL season (six sacks in seven games). I expect the Vikings pass rusher to really feast against the young Bears and mediocre Lions in four games next season.

Lewis Cine

I believe that the Vikings were lucky to obtain Lewis Cine 32nd overall after NBC Sports reported that the Buccaneers had a strong interest in him. The former Georgia Bulldog and second-team All-SEC from Haiti will really help Harrison Smith on the back-end in his rookie season. His range can be a boost that MIN has desperately needed. The other rookie Andrew Booth Jr. could be a sneaky CB3 and have a similar impact as the Saints 2021 third-round pick CB Paulson Adebo, as well.

Jordan Hicks

Jordan Hicks was one of the most underrated FA signings. Outside of Za’Darius Smith’s arrival, the Vikings ILB Hicks will bring a boom to the Vikings defense. It was inspiring that the Vikings transitioned into a 3-4 defense, but it was amazing that the Vikings signed Hicks and created a potent LB duo. Hicks has ousted numerous seasons with 3+ interceptions and a few seasons of 110+ combined tackles. He is a true complete ILB next to the Pro Bowl Eric Kendricks.

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