Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Week 9 at Ravens: DE Danielle Hunter vs. QB Lamar Jackson
Perhaps the biggest Vikings storyline from the 2020 season was the loss of Hunter, an elite defender (no, he's not just a pass rusher) who is among the game's best players on that side of the ball.
While he can certainly get after the quarterback (a reminder he was the youngest player in league history to reach 50.0 career sacks), he can also more than hold his own against the run.
Well, Jackson can both throw and run, and is considered the game's best dual-threat quarterback at the moment. If you don't keep him contained, Jackson is apt to bust loose and pick up yards by the dozen.
Hunter will be tasked with leading a defense that needs to corral Jackson and keep him in the pocket by all means necessary, especially on the designed quarterback zone reads.
The Ravens led the league with 191.9 rushing yards per game in 2020, ranking first in that category for a second consecutive season. Baltimore ranked second in 2018.
Hunter vs. Jackson is a matchup of two of the game's best players at their respective positions.
Week 10 at Chargers: S Harrison Smith vs. QB Justin Herbert
The last time the Vikings played the Chargers in Los Angeles, the game was at a soccer stadium with Philip Rivers as the opposing quarterback.
Minnesota notched seven takeaways in that game, including three picks on Rivers, not to mention a fumble by the retired gunslinger that was scooped up and returned for a score.
This time around, the game will be played in sparkling SoFi Stadium with the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year — Herbert — leading the Chargers huddle.
Herbert thrived in 2020 with 4,336 passing yards and 31 touchdowns after being the No. 6 overall pick in 2020. He took care of the ball well, too, finishing his rookie season with 10 interceptions out of 595 attempts.
But the second-year QB will need to know where Smith is at all times, as the do-it-all safety could come on a blitz or snag the pigskin from out of nowhere.
Smith had an interception the last time these two teams met. If he gets one again, it could help turn the tide in Minnesota's favor on the West Coast.
Week 12 at 49ers: Vikings Run Defense vs. 49ers Run Offense
Minnesota's run defense had a rough go in 2020, allowing 95-plus rushing yards in all but one game. The lowlight was obviously a Christmas Day game in which Minnesota gave up 264 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns on national television.
But Minnesota's struggles against the run extended to the end of the 2019 season, too, as the Vikings allowed 186 rushing yards to the 49ers in a Divisional Round playoff loss. At one point, San Francisco ran the ball on 12 consecutive offensive plays (for 55 yards and a TD) in that postseason contest.
The Vikings run defense is expected to be much improved in 2021, especially with the additions of defensive tackles Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson. If the 49ers are playing No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance in this game, they could look to the run game to help get the rookie from Marshall, Minnesota, comfortable.
Can the Vikings front step up this time around in the Bay Area?
Week 14 vs. Steelers: QB Kirk Cousins vs. S Minkah Fitzpatrick
Cousins is still the unquestioned starter in Minnesota, and has proven to be at his best in recent seasons when he does not turn the ball over.
The quarterback threw 10 interceptions in Minnesota's first six games in 2020, but responded with just three in the final 10 contests. The Vikings were 1-5 in that first stretch, and 6-4 in the second run of games.
Cousins will have to be wary of a lurking Fitzpatrick in this one, as the ballhawk safety has made a name for himself with his interception ability in his first three years in the league. He has 11 in three seasons, including nine in 30 games with the Steelers since being acquired in a trade with the Dolphins.
Fitzpatrick has made the most of those picks, too, with three total interception returns for scores in his young career.
Another matchup to watch in this one that could determine the Cousins-Fitzpatrick outcome is Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt against Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill. If O'Neill can limit Watt's ability to pressure Cousins, the quarterback could limit the turnovers.