The Minnesota Vikings are looking for their third straight victory (and first against an AFC team this season) when they play host to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Week 7 as solid home favorites.
The Baltimore Ravens have been living in a Twilight zone as their 2017 season has been strange, good and all of the above. After beating the Oakland Raiders on the road, signs showed that Baltimore was ready to pick up the pace and jump into the NFL standings.
All of that went to a stop as they went back home to face the Chicago Bears along with rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky. In the history of the Baltimore Ravens history, the Ravens have not lost at home against a rookie quarterback, well that changed this past Sunday.
Baltimore was unable to stop the running game of Jordan Howard and the odd Bears offense which saw backup running back Tarik Cohen throw for a touchdown pass. Even though, Chicago was all over Baltimore, Quarterback Joe Flacco showcased his leadership with leading two scoring drives to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Baltimore was unable to win it in OT, but some of the positives signs from this dreadful loss was the leadership of Flacco as he still has it.
The Minnesota Vikings are for real. With huge back to back divisional wins against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, the Vikings are now in the driver’s seat to take over the division. Minnesota took care of the Packers 23-10 as veteran and superstar Aaron Rodgers left the game with an injured shoulder.
The Vikings are aware of superstars going down for the season with injuries as their own running back Dalvin Cook is done for the year. However new starting RB Jerick McKinnon is looking good in the new offense.
On the season, McKinnon has been great with rushing for 190 yards and catching 19 passes for 121 yards. He’s been huge as it allows backup quarterback Case Keenum to open up the passing game. The backup has thrown for 1,134 yards with five touchdowns on the season.
Writer’s Prediction:
The Minnesota Vikings are finally settling in with quarterback Case Keenum as they should take care of Baltimore who have been lost all season. Pick: Vikings (-5.5)
