1 00:00:00,440 --> 00:00:04,360 Speaker 1: Welcome to Know Your Foe on Colts dot Com and 2 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: in depth book at the upcoming matchup. Here are your hosts, 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:12,800 Speaker 1: Casey Valier and former Colts wide receiver Bill Brooks. Welcome 4 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:15,160 Speaker 1: back for another episode of Know Your Phone on Colts 5 00:00:15,200 --> 00:00:17,480 Speaker 1: dot Com. I'm your host Casey Vallee and I'm joined 6 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: as always with Cult Ring of Honor wide receiver Film Brooks. 7 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:22,440 Speaker 1: The Cults are coming off there bye week and are 8 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 1: on the road as they head to Minnesota to take 9 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 1: on the Vikings on Saturday. And to help us dive 10 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: into the Vikings, it's Ben Guestling, who covers the Vikings 11 00:00:30,880 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 1: for the Star Tribune. Ben, thank you so much for 12 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:36,880 Speaker 1: the time. How are you. I'm doing well, just working 13 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: through a snift storm up here in Minneapolis. But you know, 14 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:41,680 Speaker 1: very on brand for us this time here, right, I Mean, 15 00:00:41,760 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 1: that's that's kind of what you expect from Minnesota. But 16 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:45,519 Speaker 1: this game is going to be indoors, so you don't 17 00:00:45,560 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 1: have to worry about that, right. Yeah. Actually, the funny 18 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:50,599 Speaker 1: thing is the last time the Colts were here, it 19 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:53,320 Speaker 1: was like nine below outside and it was the first 20 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:55,960 Speaker 1: year that that stadium was open. They had been outside 21 00:00:56,000 --> 00:00:58,120 Speaker 1: the previous two years and that that playoff game they 22 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:01,639 Speaker 1: lost for player Walts mister field goal was like six below. Yes, 23 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 1: this was even colder than that. I remember walking into 24 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: the stadium saying, it's good to be well, I know 25 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 1: from both sides. I'm sure everybody's excited to be inside. 26 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:13,759 Speaker 1: Is definitely coming this weekend. Now, the Vikings, I want 27 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: to start with, you know, the way they are right 28 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 1: now ten and three. You look at it from just 29 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:22,119 Speaker 1: a statistical standpoint, it's a team that's definitely played very well, 30 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:25,200 Speaker 1: that can clinch the division this weekend with win. But 31 00:01:25,360 --> 00:01:27,160 Speaker 1: do you think this team is kind of under the 32 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: radar at ten and three? I feel like not many, 33 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: not much buzz is going around this Vikings team. Well yeah, 34 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: and it's been interesting because there's sort of this conflict 35 00:01:36,880 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 1: I think, at least nationally about how good they really 36 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 1: are because you look at the points breadon and there's 37 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:43,560 Speaker 1: been a lot made of that. In terms of the 38 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: first ten and three team ever to have been outscored 39 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: for the season, I think their point differential is negative one. Yeah, 40 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: so the you know, if you look at that part 41 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 1: of it, it would suggest this is like a six 42 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 1: and six team that should be fighting for a wildcard spot, 43 00:01:57,120 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 1: and the way the NFC North is, you'd still be 44 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 1: in the mixt of the divis, but it would be 45 00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 1: a lot tighter than it is where you're looking to 46 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: Clinton early December. It's been I think the lack of 47 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: buzz is probably because you haven't seen these kind of 48 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: dominating performances that it make everybody sort of stand up 49 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 1: and take notice. I think that's had a lot to 50 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 1: do with it. It's been you know, they're nine and 51 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:19,800 Speaker 1: on and one score games, so a lot of this 52 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: has been built on being great in the fourth quarter 53 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: when you've had to be great in the fourth quarter. 54 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: And the Buffalo game certainly is the one I think 55 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 1: that caught everybody's attention with the Justin Jefferson catch and 56 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:33,079 Speaker 1: the improbable fumble when the Builds are trying to get 57 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 1: out of their own end zone. I mean, all of 58 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: that stuff I think kind of raised their profile a time. 59 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 1: But then they get blown out by the Cowboys the 60 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,239 Speaker 1: next week, so I think everybody's still sort of like, well, 61 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 1: is this team for real? Or is this a record 62 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 1: built on a lot of close wins And it could 63 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:51,799 Speaker 1: come apart if they have to play somebody that's of 64 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 1: a higher caliber. In the playoffs, they've beaten some good teams, 65 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 1: but they've also gotten blown out by some good teams 66 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: like Billion Dallas. So there's I think everybody's still just 67 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:03,799 Speaker 1: waiting for them to definitively say yes, we are for 68 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:06,760 Speaker 1: real and we belong in a conversation among the NFCA 69 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:09,400 Speaker 1: best teams now is one of those reasons because of 70 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,359 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins. He's got that perception that's, you know, kind 71 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:14,640 Speaker 1: of just another guy. He's going to finish in the 72 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:17,519 Speaker 1: top ten, top fifteen every year. Seems to be a 73 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 1: guy who wins in the regular season, but the postseason 74 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:21,680 Speaker 1: sunsess really hasn't been there. Is that kind of a 75 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:24,639 Speaker 1: fair assessment of where Kirk Cousins is nationally? I kind 76 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 1: of want to know where he is, you know, in Minnesota. Yeah, 77 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 1: I mean I think that is an accurate assessment of 78 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 1: where Kirk Cousins is nationally. I think the question is always, 79 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:37,040 Speaker 1: at least as he sees it or people around him 80 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 1: kind of see it. Is that assessment fair? And I 81 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 1: think he has done a lot this year to counteract 82 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:46,200 Speaker 1: some of that. Now, the funny thing is his numbers. 83 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 1: I mean everybody always kind of says, well, he's a 84 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 1: big box score, he's not the guy that gets it 85 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:53,520 Speaker 1: done in the clutch. His numbers this year are some 86 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 1: of the worst he's posted in Minnesota. I think the 87 00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 1: police percentage wise it's down, interceptions are up a little bit. 88 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:04,520 Speaker 1: But he has been the guy in fourth quarters and 89 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: two minute drills that they've needed every single week. I mean, 90 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 1: the idea that he can't do it in on the 91 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 1: big stage, he can't do it when the chips are down, 92 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: and he has sort of answered a lot of those 93 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 1: critiques of fear, and I think the playoff success certainly 94 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:21,160 Speaker 1: would be the thing would ultimately do that, and he 95 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: knows that. He's admitted that in numerous times I think 96 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:26,920 Speaker 1: over the years. But yeah, there is sort of this 97 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:31,039 Speaker 1: conflict with him of again kind of like the team, 98 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 1: and I think a lot of it's wrapped up in 99 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 1: this of what do we make of this guy. I 100 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 1: think in Minnesota there has sort of been this perception 101 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: of him that's been pretty close to what it has 102 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: been nationally of well, he's fine, but we are not 103 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:46,000 Speaker 1: going to get to where we want to go with him. 104 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: I do think the close victories and the performances he's 105 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: put up in the clutch have changed some of that 106 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: narrative in recent weeks. I mean even last week in Detroit. 107 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 1: They lose that game, but he looked at that game 108 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: and it's yeah, it's like, what else could you want 109 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:04,120 Speaker 1: the guy exactly? So I think the perception is changing 110 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:05,640 Speaker 1: a little bit from that as people would get a 111 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 1: little bit closer look at some of those things. Now, Ben, 112 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,360 Speaker 1: I want to move to the running game. Dalvin Cook 113 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:12,480 Speaker 1: is on pace for a thousand yards season, but only 114 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 1: has two one hundred yard games this year, is averaging 115 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 1: only seventy three yards per game, and the games gets 116 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 1: the Patriots and Lions, he ran for forty two yards 117 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 1: and twenty three yards respectively. What has been going on 118 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 1: with a running game this year? Well, that's been interesting too, 119 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,600 Speaker 1: in the sense that you've seen it shift. Obviously, Mike 120 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:32,560 Speaker 1: Zimmer was a guy who wanted to run the ball man, 121 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 1: no bones about that. That was going to be their 122 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 1: identity is they were going to run the ball and 123 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 1: they're gonna run it through Dalvin cooking awful lot. Kevin 124 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 1: O'Connell obviously is not doing that. That's not going to 125 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 1: be the identity of this team. The identity is going 126 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 1: to be get the ball to Justin Jefferson, So you've 127 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,760 Speaker 1: seen that, I think, But they've also had this thing 128 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: where they've just had trouble opening up space for him. 129 00:05:52,040 --> 00:05:54,600 Speaker 1: I mean, the yards before contact stats for him have 130 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 1: been pretty low, and he saw it last week. A 131 00:05:56,720 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 1: lot of negative runs, a lot of plays where there 132 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,000 Speaker 1: are people at the line of screamade ready to meet him, 133 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:04,839 Speaker 1: or even in the backfield. I mean the jump pass 134 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 1: he tried to throw at the goal line that they 135 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 1: figured this is going to be wide open for a touchdown. 136 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 1: They had a receiver wide open for that, Johnny Month 137 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 1: or tight end, but that play got blown up so 138 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:16,159 Speaker 1: fast that Cook had nowhere to go with the ball 139 00:06:16,200 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 1: and then is trying to handle it like a quarterback 140 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,600 Speaker 1: and that's where that fumble happens. But a lot of 141 00:06:20,600 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: this has been him not having space to run I 142 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 1: think in the way that he is used to having it, 143 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: and that's been something they have to figure out. I 144 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 1: don't know that it's going to be a lot easier 145 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:33,719 Speaker 1: on Sunday with that Cult's defensive line, but that I 146 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,719 Speaker 1: think has had some of That's some of the reason 147 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:39,680 Speaker 1: for it. He's been playing through shoulder injuries, he says 148 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 1: that's not affecting him on a weightlely basis. He's had 149 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 1: a lot of carries over the last few years, so 150 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:46,919 Speaker 1: you could talk about as you lost the step. I 151 00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 1: think that's part of the conversation too. But when he 152 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: has had room to run, he's been able to be effective, 153 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: and I think some of it is just kind of 154 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:56,480 Speaker 1: trying to find that space for him up front. Now, Ben, 155 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: you mentioned justin Jefferson and last week he said a 156 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,800 Speaker 1: franchise record most receiving yards in the single game. And 157 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:04,720 Speaker 1: we have seen all the highlight catches he's made throughout 158 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: this year. What makes this young man so good? And 159 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 1: in your opinion, how good can he be? Well, I 160 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 1: mean he's been I think more than anybody would have 161 00:07:15,760 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: expected around here. I mean they thought we've got a 162 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 1: very good receiver, but to have him be sitting here 163 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: in year three, I mean, he's already like ninth in 164 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: franchise history and receptions and receiving yards and he's played 165 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 1: like forty five games. Man, he can catch. I think 166 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 1: he can catch Stefan Diggs in like the next week 167 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 1: or two on one of those stats. I mean, you're 168 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: talking about a guy that is rewriting their record book, 169 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:41,120 Speaker 1: and he's rewritten the NFL record book the first three 170 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:43,680 Speaker 1: years of his career. As for what makes him so good, 171 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:45,600 Speaker 1: I think it's a few things. Everybody kind of thought 172 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 1: this is a slot receiver when he came out. He's 173 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 1: shown that he can play everywhere. He can play the X, 174 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:53,239 Speaker 1: he can play the slot, he can play in the backfield. 175 00:07:53,240 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: If you need him to do some of those things 176 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 1: he is. He's great at making death to catches. He's 177 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 1: big enough to go over the top of people, and 178 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:03,880 Speaker 1: he's also a lot more fluid in his route running 179 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:06,480 Speaker 1: than people kind of expect. He does a lot of 180 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: work to I think, refine that part of his game 181 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: in terms of offseason stuff, in terms of kind of 182 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: grabbing stuff from basketball, grabbing stuff from soccer. Even he's 183 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 1: kind of studying all of these different things in terms 184 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 1: of how can I add something else to my movement 185 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 1: skill that's going to get me open as the lion 186 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: of scrimmage, and and he's shown he's awfully good at it. 187 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 1: You know, teams try to press him, trying to get 188 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: physical with him. They've had some teams have had success 189 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 1: with that, but he's gotten better in that regard too. 190 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:34,959 Speaker 1: I think it's interesting because the last time the Vikings 191 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 1: played the Colts, this was week two I think of 192 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:39,960 Speaker 1: his rookie year. He wasn't starting right him out of 193 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 1: the garage until week three that season, and then he 194 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:45,680 Speaker 1: took off from there, so broke rookie records when he 195 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 1: basically didn't start those first two games. And it's the 196 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,199 Speaker 1: sky certainly does seem to be the limit for him 197 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 1: because he wants to be the best ever. He's kind 198 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:57,080 Speaker 1: of got this humble, kind of joyful way of going 199 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 1: about it. It doesn't seem to be the ego so time, 200 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:02,320 Speaker 1: so you may expect of somebody that has that kind 201 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: of success. I think it's just I want to be 202 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:06,679 Speaker 1: as good as I possibly can and kind of take 203 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 1: everybody along for the ride with me. We're talking with 204 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: Ben Guestley that covers of Vikings for the Star Tribune. 205 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:13,200 Speaker 1: I wanted to talk about the trade they made right 206 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 1: at the deadline with acquiring t J. Hawkinson from a 207 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:19,520 Speaker 1: divisional arrival in the Lions. How's that trade been received 208 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: and what's the long term plan with TJ? With the Vikings. Yeah, 209 00:09:23,880 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 1: it's been interesting because they've made That was the third 210 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: interdivision trade they made this year. They made two in 211 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 1: the draft that helped the Lions get Jamison Williams and 212 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 1: helped the Packers get Christian Watson, and everybody kind of thought, well, 213 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 1: this is they're they're helping their arrival that may hurt 214 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:43,079 Speaker 1: them for years and Jamis and Williams of course catches 215 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 1: a touchdown last week. Christen Watson has been great for 216 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:48,439 Speaker 1: the Packers the last month or two here, so that 217 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 1: that may happen. But it was a sign that Quasi 218 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 1: adulpl Mensa, their new GM, is going to take some risks. 219 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:57,840 Speaker 1: And I think that also opened up the possibility to 220 00:09:57,880 --> 00:09:59,720 Speaker 1: make this trade. I mean, Brat Holmes has talked about 221 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:03,319 Speaker 1: this Detroit that the draft trade helped those two kind 222 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,480 Speaker 1: of realize we aren't necessarily the traditional thinkers that say, no, 223 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 1: you can't trade with an emitting your division, there's no 224 00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:11,720 Speaker 1: ability to do that. We're willing to kind of think 225 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:13,920 Speaker 1: outside the box. And I think that opened up the 226 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 1: hocketson deal when it got done, And that was a 227 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:18,559 Speaker 1: position where they needed help with Irb Smith going down 228 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:21,560 Speaker 1: early in the year, so it was one of those 229 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 1: things that it was. I think players received it kind 230 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 1: of the way fans did of Hey, this is an 231 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: all in type of move, and he signed for next 232 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:31,839 Speaker 1: year his fifth year options there. I think he's going 233 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 1: to be the guy at the tight end spot going forward. 234 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: Obviously still young enough to be in that mix for 235 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 1: a long time, but they knew they needed help with 236 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 1: that receiving group, especially because teams like to put all 237 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 1: of their attention on justin Jefferson, and you needed somebody 238 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:48,880 Speaker 1: else to make people think twice about that. Adam Dealon 239 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 1: still very effective, but not quite as dynamic perhaps as 240 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 1: he's been in the past, and I think Hockinson has 241 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:58,480 Speaker 1: given them kind of another threat to make teams think 242 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: twice about putting all of their attention toward Jefferson. It's 243 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:04,280 Speaker 1: been interesting just how quickly he's kind of become. I mean, 244 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: you look at the target numbers. Yeah, he's number two 245 00:11:06,880 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: since they brought him in, and I don't think that's 246 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:12,720 Speaker 1: going to I don't think that role is going to 247 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 1: shrink for him anytime soon. So it's been a big 248 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:17,319 Speaker 1: acquisition for them, no question about it. Now switching over 249 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:18,800 Speaker 1: the defensive side of the ball, I want to start 250 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 1: up front, Daniel Hunter, he's probably a guy who's going 251 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 1: to be in the Vikings' Ring of Honor. And then 252 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: also Zadarius Smith having what looks to be a typical year. 253 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: He's got nine sacks. How effective have they been in 254 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:32,839 Speaker 1: comparison to what his defense has done. Yeah, they had 255 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 1: a lot better start to the year than what we've 256 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 1: seen in the last few weeks. Darius Smith has been 257 00:11:37,040 --> 00:11:39,760 Speaker 1: playing through some knee injuries and I think that's been 258 00:11:40,240 --> 00:11:42,440 Speaker 1: part of why you haven't seen him put up the 259 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:44,960 Speaker 1: same numbers. He's also getting a lot of attention from 260 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:47,880 Speaker 1: opponents that kind of put a lot of their resources 261 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 1: towards slowing him down. But Biking's will move him around 262 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:51,959 Speaker 1: a lot. It's a lot of the way he was 263 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 1: used in Green Bay. Mike Smith's position coach is the 264 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:56,720 Speaker 1: same guy that coached him in Green Bay. So it's 265 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:59,440 Speaker 1: this idea of where can we put him to get 266 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:01,840 Speaker 1: the best match up, whether that's over a tackle, whether 267 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 1: it's over a guard, whether it's over a center. You'll 268 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 1: see him kind of do all of those things. He's 269 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 1: awfully dangerous when he's able to get going, and I 270 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 1: think the knee injury has slowed him down a little bit. 271 00:12:13,040 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 1: They need more from him down the stretch, and they 272 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:17,880 Speaker 1: probably also need more from Daniel Hunter, who has kind 273 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:19,959 Speaker 1: of been in this transition where he's been a four 274 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 1: three defensive end most of his career in that Mike'simmer system, 275 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:24,679 Speaker 1: and now they have him standing up. They have him 276 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:27,360 Speaker 1: playing defensive end in their nickel, but in base downs 277 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:29,560 Speaker 1: he's standing up as a three four linebackers, so that's 278 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,560 Speaker 1: been a different role for him and I think it's 279 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:34,559 Speaker 1: taken him a while to get used to that, and 280 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 1: I think you've seen some of those numbers probably reflect 281 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:40,679 Speaker 1: seven sacks has been a nice year, but this is 282 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:43,319 Speaker 1: a guy that by this time of year, when he's healthy, 283 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:45,319 Speaker 1: a lot of times it's been twelve or thirteen. So 284 00:12:45,920 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 1: they are, i think, still trying to get a little 285 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: more out of him, and I think one thing they 286 00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:52,640 Speaker 1: want to see is he's had some pressures. He's been 287 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:54,720 Speaker 1: around the quarterback, but they also need to see him 288 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 1: finish some of those plays, especially if their secondary is 289 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 1: capable of giving up things on broken plays, where yeah, 290 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 1: it's great to put a quarterback under drest, but if 291 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:05,120 Speaker 1: he can still get out and make a throw on 292 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:08,360 Speaker 1: the run and beat you. Sometimes a sack certainly is 293 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 1: preferred to all of those things. Now, Ben this Viking 294 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:14,760 Speaker 1: defense has struggle against the past this year and they 295 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 1: are thirty second in both passing yards per play and 296 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:21,560 Speaker 1: passing yards per game. What has been the problem for 297 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 1: this Vikings pass defense and what does Cameron dan slot 298 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: back then lineup do for this defense? Well, I think 299 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:31,200 Speaker 1: a lot of the problem has been I mean, you've 300 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,199 Speaker 1: seen them go to this system that's very trendier on 301 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: the league. Obviously, it's the Vic Fangio influenced stuff that 302 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:39,560 Speaker 1: you see Brandon Staley made very popular with the Rams 303 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:42,080 Speaker 1: before he went to the Chargers. You see the Packers 304 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: running at the Broncos running it. It's a lot of 305 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:46,080 Speaker 1: the we don't want to give up stuff down the field, 306 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:48,679 Speaker 1: but they give up a lot underneath. As a result, 307 00:13:48,679 --> 00:13:50,599 Speaker 1: they've been playing and it's off coverage all year and 308 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,079 Speaker 1: getting peace for a lot of stuff underneath, and then 309 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:56,640 Speaker 1: recently it's been busted coverages like you saw it last 310 00:13:56,640 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: week in Detroit that get them burned for long touchdowns. 311 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 1: I think Cameron Danceler has been early in the year, 312 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:06,920 Speaker 1: he was awfully helpful in trying to help the secondary 313 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,319 Speaker 1: be a little bit better than it was. But he 314 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,560 Speaker 1: has been involved in a lot of those coverage busts 315 00:14:12,679 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: in the last couple of weeks. You've seen it against 316 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:17,840 Speaker 1: the Lions, you saw it early in the year against 317 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:21,720 Speaker 1: the Eagles. Those plays where kind of situational awareness of 318 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 1: where do I need to be, what's my assignment, what's 319 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:26,440 Speaker 1: my check on this if something changes the line of scrimmage. 320 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 1: He's still, i think, figuring out a lot of that 321 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 1: stuff in this scheme and they need that to happen 322 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 1: quickly because they need that secondary to play a lot 323 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 1: better than it has simply because that pass rush has 324 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:41,120 Speaker 1: not been as effective as it was early in the year, 325 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 1: and all of these things, as you guys know, work together. 326 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 1: So they need, I think Danceler to be a little 327 00:14:48,760 --> 00:14:51,720 Speaker 1: bit more tuned into the defense and a little bit 328 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 1: more tuned into what everybody else is doing around him 329 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: so that you don't see those coverage bus or breakdowns 330 00:14:57,120 --> 00:15:00,200 Speaker 1: that result from I thought you had this guy or no, 331 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 1: I thought you had him. I mean, that has happened 332 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:04,840 Speaker 1: to them quite a bit in the last few weeks, 333 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 1: and some of fixing that is going to probably fall 334 00:15:08,640 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 1: on these young corners being able to pick up the scheme. 335 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,800 Speaker 1: And Patrick Peterson, they're great veteran corner spends a lot 336 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:16,920 Speaker 1: of time trying to bring these guys along, has them 337 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:20,000 Speaker 1: over to dinner at his house every Wednesday. Basically he 338 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 1: cooks them dinner and says, let's go watch the film 339 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:24,120 Speaker 1: and I'll try to tell you everything I know. But 340 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:26,840 Speaker 1: there's still a learning curve for a lot of these 341 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:29,200 Speaker 1: young corners that no matter how much help you get, 342 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:31,680 Speaker 1: no matter how much you have somebody like that kind 343 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 1: of pouring out his wisdom, it takes some time and 344 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 1: it is I think you're seeing that as a result 345 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 1: of trying to have all these guys learn on the fly. Yeah, 346 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 1: and that's where I wanted to go at my next 347 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 1: question about the two players in the secondary. Harrison Smith 348 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:48,520 Speaker 1: and Patrick Peterson have had impressive careers, and I just 349 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 1: want to know what has these two individuals brought to 350 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:55,760 Speaker 1: that secondary to help these young guys out. Well. I mean, 351 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith obviously has been there, you know for more 352 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 1: than a decade now. He's been the mainstay of that 353 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: secondary for an afully long time. It's been interesting to 354 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 1: watch him kind of change roles in this scheme because 355 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: he was sort of that that utility knife from Mike 356 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:11,160 Speaker 1: Zimmer where they put him just about anywhere he'd be 357 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 1: near the line of scrimmage, he'd be back in deep 358 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,720 Speaker 1: coverage of times, or he'd have to bail from a 359 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:18,320 Speaker 1: assignment near the line of scrimmage to get back in 360 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,240 Speaker 1: the deep covers right before the snap. He's really good 361 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 1: at that. He always has been great at holding disguises 362 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:26,360 Speaker 1: and being able to debate people. You see him in 363 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: deep covers a lot more often this year, which the 364 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 1: interception numbers are back up, I think as a result 365 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 1: of that, because he is awfully good at their their look. 366 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:36,560 Speaker 1: Every time you get the line of scrimmage is too 367 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: deep safeties, they are going to play a lot of quarters. 368 00:16:39,080 --> 00:16:41,240 Speaker 1: They'll also play some cover three and roll of safety 369 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: down to the week's side quite often, so you'll you'll 370 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: see all of those things, and he's great at holding 371 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:49,200 Speaker 1: those disguises, and just as a guy that knows where 372 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:50,560 Speaker 1: the play is going to go, he's seen a lot. 373 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:53,040 Speaker 1: He's been awfully successful and and adds a lot to 374 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:55,160 Speaker 1: the defense in that regard. I mean, Patrick Peterson I 375 00:16:55,200 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: think has been kind of a rebirth in some ways. 376 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 1: He had an okay season last year. Teams didn't throw 377 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:05,720 Speaker 1: at him very much, but didn't do a lot to 378 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: stand out in that first year in Minnesota. And they 379 00:17:08,880 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 1: come in with a new scheme this year and he's 380 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:13,480 Speaker 1: been a press corner of his career, so it's okay, 381 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:15,560 Speaker 1: how is this going to work? And he has said, 382 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:18,720 Speaker 1: I've always loved this scheme. I've always loved watching the 383 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:20,760 Speaker 1: forty nine ers run it or the Bears run it. 384 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,200 Speaker 1: When Ed Dona felt was there, all of these teams 385 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 1: that have done out. The Rams certainly have done it 386 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:26,359 Speaker 1: over the last few years. I think I could be 387 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 1: really successful in this. And the thing you've seen him 388 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:32,679 Speaker 1: do is embrace it in the sense that it doesn't 389 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:35,920 Speaker 1: require him to run around as much. He's not pressing receivers. 390 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 1: It's not as physically taxing on him in his twelfth 391 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 1: season as it would have been if he was doing 392 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 1: press man coverage at this point. And he's had a 393 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: great season, is leading the team and pass breakups. I 394 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:49,120 Speaker 1: think has three or four interceptions. Really, I mean, you'll 395 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:53,560 Speaker 1: see him in great position on a lot of these players. 396 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: Fundamentally technically sound knows where to be, knows what to do, 397 00:17:57,200 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 1: doesn't get beat very often, doesn't get penalized very often. 398 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 1: There's been a lot of things I think that have 399 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:05,720 Speaker 1: happened this year for them probably don't happen the same 400 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:08,719 Speaker 1: way if he hasn't been as effective as he's been. 401 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:10,880 Speaker 1: I mean, really, those two guys have been the mainstage 402 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:14,560 Speaker 1: of that secondary and his role in that locker room, 403 00:18:14,760 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 1: and he carries a big voice in that room, and 404 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:19,040 Speaker 1: I think players, certainly on the defensive side, but also 405 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 1: throughout the team kind of sit up and listen when 406 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 1: he has something to say. Now, final thing with Ben Guestling, 407 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:27,320 Speaker 1: who covers the vikings for the Star Tribune. This team's 408 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:29,199 Speaker 1: going to clinch the division with a win, but what 409 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 1: they do after that is pretty important. So where is 410 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:34,879 Speaker 1: your confidence level with this team in a winner go 411 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:38,679 Speaker 1: home situation as we get closer to the playoffs. Well, 412 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 1: it's going to depend I think who they play in 413 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:43,360 Speaker 1: some ways, because if it's Dallas coming in, I mean 414 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,240 Speaker 1: a Talus beat them forty to three the last time 415 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 1: they came in. There are certain teams I think that 416 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:50,880 Speaker 1: will give them a lot of trouble. I think Dallas would, 417 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:54,960 Speaker 1: I think Philadelphia certainly would. San Francisco certainly can, and 418 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 1: San Francisco's got a lot of injury things to figure out. 419 00:18:57,320 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 1: But these teams with aggressive fronts, I think they are 420 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:03,080 Speaker 1: going to have trouble with I think they certainly are 421 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 1: capable of making a run, but you're going to have 422 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 1: to beat probably Dallas or San Francisco in round two, 423 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:11,639 Speaker 1: and then you can probably have to go out to 424 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game. And Vikings fans certainly 425 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 1: remember the last time they were in the NFC Title 426 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 1: Game five years ago after the Minneapolis miracle, thinking we're 427 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 1: going to be the first team to host the Super Bowl, 428 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:24,720 Speaker 1: and then they get blown out in Philadelphia. So those 429 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:26,280 Speaker 1: teams I think are going to give them a lot 430 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: of trouble and trying to figure out, probably especially defensively, 431 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: how do we match up, how can we deal with 432 00:19:33,359 --> 00:19:35,640 Speaker 1: some of these fronts, And then on the other side 433 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:37,679 Speaker 1: of the ball, how can we stop these pass rushes 434 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:40,479 Speaker 1: from affecting us the way that we've seen them do it. 435 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:42,920 Speaker 1: That's going to be the big question. Getting Christian Dara 436 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:44,760 Speaker 1: saw back this weekend is a big deal for them. 437 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 1: They need to keep him healthy. But I certainly think 438 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:51,000 Speaker 1: they have the talent, especially those high end scope position players, 439 00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:53,680 Speaker 1: and they just believe in what Kevin O'Connell is doing. 440 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 1: I think they have the ability to make a run, 441 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:58,440 Speaker 1: but they will need to answer some of the questions 442 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:01,639 Speaker 1: that some of these losses to Philadelphia and Dallas have 443 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:04,000 Speaker 1: opened up. This is a team I think that believes 444 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 1: it can make a deep run, but a lot of 445 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:09,200 Speaker 1: it will come down to just the details and execution 446 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:11,600 Speaker 1: of it. Said, they haven't always gotten right that These 447 00:20:11,640 --> 00:20:13,440 Speaker 1: next few weeks here will give them an opportunity to 448 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 1: kind of work on those things and then then it's 449 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 1: a playoff time and we'll see where coast from there. Well, 450 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:19,879 Speaker 1: there you go, four more weeks, four more games for 451 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:21,840 Speaker 1: the Vikings to sure up everything as they make a 452 00:20:21,920 --> 00:20:24,800 Speaker 1: playoff push. That was Ben Guestling, who covers the Vikings 453 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:26,639 Speaker 1: for the Star Tribute and Ben, thank you so much 454 00:20:26,680 --> 00:20:29,720 Speaker 1: for the time and enjoy the game on Saturday, my pleasure, guys, 455 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:31,800 Speaker 1: thanks for having me. The Cults are in Minnesota to 456 00:20:31,840 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 1: take on the Vikings on Saturday. They head back home 457 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 1: next week as they welcome in the Chargers on Monday 458 00:20:36,640 --> 00:20:39,040 Speaker 1: Night football, and we're gonna talk with Daniel Popper, who 459 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:41,720 Speaker 1: covers the Chargers for the Athletic. But this Saturday it's 460 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:44,800 Speaker 1: the Colts and Vikings in Minnesota. For Bill Brooks, I'm 461 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:46,800 Speaker 1: Casey's Valley. Enjoy the game and go Colts.