The Minnesota Vikings are coming off an in depth name in opposition to the Washington Commanders in Week 9. The Vikings are hoping to increase their win streak to seven video games as they face a probably Josh-Allen-less Buffalo Payments on the street in Week 10 of the 2022 NFL season. A win right here will maintain the Vikings atop the NFC North. Listed here are our Vikings Week 10 predictions as they tackle the Payments.

The Vikings begin the week with the second-best file within the NFC, having improved to 7-1 after beating the Commanders in Week 9. Minnesota’s spectacular run has been below some criticism, although, since they haven’t actually confronted any elite groups outdoors of the Eagles.

On the opposite finish of the sector, the Payments need to bounce again from solely their second lack of the season. Nevertheless, Buffalo has but to lose at Highmark Stadium this season, so will probably be intriguing to see whether or not the Payments Mafia will play a job on this week’s consequence. One huge concern, although, is star QB Josh Allen. Will he play? Will he sit out? That’s gonna be enormous for this sport.

With all these in thoughts, listed below are our 4 daring predictions for the Vikings of their Week 10 sport in opposition to the Payments.

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4. Dalvin Prepare dinner data 90+ yards from scrimmage

Vikings RB Dalvin Prepare dinner carried 17 instances for 47 yards and grabbed two catches for 9 yards and a landing in Week 9. He ran in opposition to a troublesome Washington run protection, however he nonetheless put up respectable numbers. The 27-year-old has rushed 131 instances for 608 yards and 5 touchdowns this season, whereas additionally catching 19 passes for 119 yards and one rating. The Payments have one other top-five rush protection that may certainly problem Prepare dinner. Nevertheless, the beauty of his sport is that Minnesota can use him each as a rusher and receiver. Now we have him going 90+ yards in Buffalo.

3. Justin Jefferson places up over 110 yards

Minnesota’s star WR Justin Jefferson grabbed seven of 13 targets for 115 yards and a rating in Week 9. The 23-year-old caught his first landing cross since Week 1 when he had two. He’s nonetheless a goal machine for QB Kirk Cousins, so we would see one other endzone catch right here.

In Week 10, Jefferson is about to face a Payments protection that ranks twenty second in opposition to opposing No. 1 large receivers. This implies JJ has an important probability to go off in an enormous method. Now we have him simply going over 110+ yards in opposition to Buffalo.

Right here can be one other factor to remember — recall that the Vikings utilized the Payments’ decide in 2020 to decide on Jefferson. Minnesota obtained that decide in a deal involving Stefon Diggs. Each JJ and Diggs are at the moment top-five large receivers within the league and have been excellent this season.

This can provide JJ added motivation to carry out properly right here because it’s the primary time JJ will truly play the Payments.

2. Kirk Cousins goes over 250 yards complete

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins accomplished 22-of-40 passes for 265 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception of their Week 9 win. The 34-year-old continues to guide Minnesota to victories regardless of being routinely ignored of elite QB conversations. He might be put to perhaps his largest take a look at of the season in Week 10 as they face the Payments. Evidently, if Cousins performs properly right here, he may get a seat on the elite QB desk this season.

Remember that Cousins and the 7-1 Vikings are one of many NFL season’s feel-good tales. Cousins has typically been taking part in properly, however he has not carried out as properly on the street as he has at residence. Actually, Cousins has a 101.7 passer ranking at residence whereas having only a 77.7 passer ranking on the street. That appears fairly ominous.

There’s little doubt Cousins will face an uphill battle this week in opposition to the Payments, however he is perhaps as much as the problem. Buffalo has all the pieces that may make his life robust on Sunday. The Payments permit the fifth-lowest EPA per dropback and the sixth-lowest yards per try within the league. On the flip facet, Cousins is perhaps saved by Buffalo’s merely middle-of-the-road cross rush (18th in stress price) and aversion to blitzing (thirty first in blitz price). He has been fairly good within the pocket, in order that may very well be one thing.

Additionally, no less than Cousins is absolutely wholesome, not like Josh Allen, who won’t even play on this sport. Now we have Capt. Kirk going over 250+ yards and two touchdowns on this contest.

1. Vikings lose even when Josh Allen misses this sport

Whereas the Vikings have a really handsome file, they’ve admittedly benefited from a comparatively gentle schedule. Keep in mind that Minnesota has solely confronted one actual Tremendous Bowl contender, the Philadelphia Eagles, they usually misplaced that sport 24-7.

The Vikings reached a brand new peak in energy rankings.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 8, 2022

As well as, the Vikings have struggled to attain on the street. This season, they common 24.1 factors per sport, which is eighth general. Nevertheless, that lowers to 19.8 factors per sport on the street.

As for the Payments, they’ve but to lose on their residence discipline. Actually, they’re 19-4 straight up of their earlier 23 video games at Highmark Stadium, they usually haven’t misplaced there since December 6, 2021. Moreover, Buffalo has the NFL’s strongest scoring offenses and defenses at residence.

However as we already stated, the most important query mark right here is Josh Allen. If he performs, the Payments ought to win simply. If not, then that’s plenty of stress on Keenum to ship, though the veteran has proven he can step in and step up when wanted (see Cleveland final season). Additionally, the Vikings protection has been porous. Actually, they rank worst in each completions and passing yards allowed per sport.

Taking all the pieces into consideration, the Vikings will possible take up loss No. 2 and be ignored within the chilly, with or with out Allen taking part in in Buffalo.