Daily Norseman
Hello everyone and welcome to the Week 3 Minnesota Vikings roundtable here at Daily Norseman. The Vikes are coming off an ugly effort in prime time against the Atlanta Falcons, and now will turn their efforts toward the Cincinnati Bengals with both teams starting their backup quarterbacks.
Who’s ready for some chaos?
Let’s talk to it.
Brandon Warne: I’d say like a…..58? I’m a firm believer in second chances but like, quarterbacks also don’t reach journeyman status without some considerable warts. Like most, I’m eager to see what he does in Kevin O’Connell’s system and in a talented offense like this, but as a Vikings fan I’m also conditioned to guard my heart.
Christopher Gates: I’d have to put my confidence in Wentz at somewhere around a 70. He checks a lot of the boxes that Sam Darnold checked last year. . .former top-5 overall pick, obviously has a great deal of physical talent but has never really put it all together, and now he gets an opportunity to work under Kevin O’Connell. It seems to have worked for Darnold and for Daniel Jones, who is currently playing quite well in Indianapolis, so hopefully O’Connell will be working his magic with Wentz as well.
David Stefano: 55 – slightly above his record. Kevin O’Connell should help him play better as he typically does with veteran quarterbacks. However, Wentz has been in the building less than a month, the offense is dealing with multiple injuries and a suspension, and he has a tendency to shoot himself in the foot. All these factors could lead to disaster. Overall, 55 feels right—optimistic on coaching boost, pessimistic on chaos potential. He could be Keenum 2.0 or a quick derailment.
Sam Buegler: 59. If the offensive line is able to hold up, I think he will be solid. He still has some juice left in his arm and will hopefully be able to hold down the fort. If we can keep Jordan Mason cooking, that should open up the pass game for Wentz to rip it.
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BW: I think anytime a quarterback with any sort of NFL success in their past is throwing to a pass-catching corps like the Bengals have, you at least have to save some space in the back of your mind that it could happen. Or in this case, happen again. I think the defense is far better equipped to handle it this time around, but again as a Vikings fan you’re constantly guarding your heart.
CG: The last time Browning faced off against the Vikings, the defense was basically being held together with chicken wire and Scotch™ tape. Then Byron Murphy got hurt during the game and the dam officially broke. The Vikings’ defense has held up pretty well over the past couple of games, and on Sunday, they should have...
