Questions Answered: Vikings Path Forward, Dalvin Tomlinson, Darrisaw Out
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the November 21st edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Q: Well, now what? Where do the Vikings go from here? That was horrible.
A: Indeed, the 40-3 beatdown by Dallas was unacceptable. But as a Vikings fan, you should be accustomed to mind-boggling defeats every now and then.
You should know by Friday morning if the Vikings remain Super Bowl contenders with a handsome 9-2 record — or if they’ve fallen to 8-3 with a limited playoff forecast.
Thursday’s game versus the NFL’s best defense — yes, that’s the Patriots — will determine if these 2022 Vikings are for real via Super Bowl contendership. If they win over the Patriots, they’re “back.” If they lose, they’re probably holding a ceiling like the 2019 Vikings — win one playoff game and then pack her in during the divisional round.
Q; Do you expect Dalvin Tomlinson to be back for the Thanksgiving game?
A: Well, Tomlinson is much closer to playing than he was last week at this time. The nose tackle had a limited walkthrough on Monday, as the Vikings play again on Thursday night.
This tweet from Chris Tomasson indicates Tomlinson may be a go for Thanksgiving. The Vikings need the man, after all. The run defense — well, all of the defense — was unfathomably bad against the Cowboys in Week 11. A healthy Tomlinson would go a long way in restoring order.
We’ll say 60-40 that Tomlinson plays against New England.
Q: How long do you think Darrisaw will miss?
A: At least one game. Maybe two.
Darrisaw was concussed against the Buffalo Bills, cleared all protocol for Week 11 against Dallas, and then appeared to suffer another concussion or head-related flare-up.
This is about Darrisaw’s life and well-being now, so the Vikings won’t rush him back. Head injuries in successive weeks are no joke, so perhaps be prepared for life with no Darrisaw for a week or two — maybe more.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).