Minnesota Vikings News and Links: Can the Vikings get another win?

Game day! I'm picking the Vikings, of course, but not because I'm a home run. I think they're just the better team. I do believe that the Rams will pass the ball to the Vikings with Cooper Kupps back. The Viking secondary is suspect in my opinion. It would be nice if they traded a good young corner who is under contract until at least 2025.

But first things first. I have to get a win tonight!

News and links about the Minnesota Vikings

Vikings at Rams Week 8 Game Preview

Since the Rams opt to wear white jerseys, the Vikings will wear purple jerseys on white pants, a look typically worn at home games.

4 storylines

1. Battle of the Brains

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and the Rams' Sean McVay won Super Bowl LVI together. Their great friendship is well documented, but there will be nothing friendly about tricking the other.

2. National audience

The Vikings are the best surprise of 2024 so far.

They were widely picked and finished last in the NFC North. Their quarterback was seen as a bridge to the future rather than a player capable of attracting MVP attention like he did. After the tragic death of Khyree Jackson and the season-ending injury to Mekhi Blackmon, there were even doubts about the defense, especially their cornerbacks. Now there's a growing band that believes Minnesota is made of the right stuff.

3. Balance between rest and readiness in the short week

That's something you need to play two NFL games less than 100 hours apart.

“It's best to get going on Monday (and Tuesday) and then relax on Wednesday, the day before the game, and just treat it like you're getting ready for practice on Thursday,” safety Camryn Bynum said . “Thursday practices are usually tough days anyway, so you just have to change your mindset.”

This means sacrificing the time you would normally devote to practice and also time with your family.

“First things first: Sunday night after the game, I told my wife that I wouldn’t be there much,” defensive lineman Harrison Phillips explained of his routine. “There isn't much time. Even though other weeks I might get a 90 minute or two hour massage where I can relax and meditate or pray, (Tuesday night) I watch a two hour movie during my massage and just try to double that- take it the time.”

4. Justin Jefferson is on the verge of a breakthrough

After winning most of his only 100-yard receiving game with a 97-yard catch-and-sprint touchdown in Week 2 against San Francisco, Vikings star wideout Justin Jefferson has a career-high 92 in his last four games Yards scored. During that stretch, he averaged 84.8 yards on 6.3 catches and 9.5 targets.

A monster game could be just around the corner for the “Jets”.

“It’s right there. It’s right there,” Jefferson said confidently. “I’m definitely tired of these 80, 90-yard games. I definitely need to get over that 100 yard hump. That's definitely my plan. But when you see it on tape, the explosive plays are everywhere on the field – not just me – just everywhere on the field.”

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Vikings-Rams Week 8 score predictions from the Vikings On SI staff

Will Ragatz: Vikings 30, Rams 16

The Vikings are clearly the more talented of these two teams and they will be eager to bounce back from Sunday's frustrating loss. I expect big games from Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones against a Rams defense that has been bad this season. On the other side of the ball, LA's offensive line is rather weak, so look for Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to be in the backfield all night. Those who haven't watched the Vikings play much this year are about to learn why this team came into the game 5-0 before the bye.

Joe Nelson: Vikings 34, Rams 20

Nolan O'Hara: Vikings 27, Rams 20

Jonathan Harrison: Vikings 35, Rams 10

Tony Liebert: Vikings 31, Rams 20

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Vikings Trade Rumors: Roundup of the latest rumors with a deadline in two weeks

CB Akayleb Evans was traded as a trade candidate

The Titans reportedly have no plans to trade Simmons

Broncos DT has been mentioned as a player the Vikings should target

The Stafford rumors aren't worth your time

Nobody wants Evans. It was always doubtful whether the Giants or Titans would trade their best young DT, and the Broncos are still around, so why trade Jones?

The Stafford “rumors” are stupid and prove that it only takes one Nimrod to come up with an idea, and then many other Nimrods come up with that idea.

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The Vikings need to target high-profile players by using their large bargaining capital before the NFL trade deadline

Could the Minnesota Vikings trade their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to acquire a player at the trade deadline? SKOR North's Darren Wolfson believes this could be the case.

“I'm telling you, they're absolutely having discussions. I would be shocked if I heard otherwise. I will be convinced that you have to at least think about putting the first round pick on the table.”

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the Vikings would be willing to give up their first-round pick for two reasons:

They will probably look for a long-term solution instead of renting

There isn't a lot of high-end talent in this year's NFL Draft

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Vikings become trade spot for Patriots CB

Jones, who is currently the Patriots' starter, doesn't seem to fit the long-term goals for New England. It would be a wise decision to move him now and add value to him.

Drake Maye has given the franchise hope for the future. However, that future is simply not now. It will likely be a few years before the Patriots are a serious contender in the AFC again.

Since Jones is 31 years old, that schedule doesn't suit him. New England should get the best draft pick value they can for him and move on.

With that in mind, Chad Graff of The Athletic suggested a trade that would send Jones out of town. He believes the Patriots should send Jones to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.

Such a move is likely as other teams are unlikely to give away a really good player.

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Can the Vikings reach Super Bowl 59? Why Minnesota is a serious contender to win the NFC in 2024

The Minnesota Vikings have been to four Super Bowls and lost them all, but they haven't won the NFC title in 48 years. At 5-1 through the first six games of the 2024 NFL season, they hope they finally have the team to end their conference championship drought.

The Vikings have been to six NFC title games, most recently in 2017 when they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles seven years ago. In 2022, they went 13-4 in current head coach Kevin O'Connell's first year, but then lost as a No. 3 seed at home to the No. 6 Giants.

According to NFL Futures Odds from Caesars Sportsbook, the Vikings have the sixth-best odds in the league to win Super Bowl 59. They are at +1200 or 12-1. The Chiefs are a big favorite at +425. In the NFC, only the Lions at +700 and the 49ers at +1000 have better chances of winning the Super Bowl than Minnesota.

The Vikings (+600) also trail the Lions (+360) and 49ers (+475) in odds of winning the NFC Championship. They remain ahead of the Packers and Eagles, who are next at +700.

The Vikings have the No. 6 scoring defense so far and are allowing an average of just 17.8 points per game, just behind the Chiefs who are at 17.2. They have forced 14 takeaways, second in the league behind the Packers with 17. At +4, they are No. 7 in turnover margin.

The Vikings are also No. 6 in offense, averaging 28 points per game. They are just No. 13 in total offense and No. 19 in total defense. However, the Titans are No. 1 in overall defense with a 1-5 record, so stats aren't everything at this point in the season. This offensive ranking is sure to improve with TE TJ Hockenson set to return and join Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in a talented receiving corps.

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