The Viking Age
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TVA Predictions: Can the Vikings topple the Ravens in Week 7?

By Adam Patrick

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Trae Waynes
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Trae Waynes /

Spencer Suckow:

Vikings win 20-17

Is it possible to have a trap game before playing the Cleveland Browns?  Probably not, but for some reason, I feel uneasy about this game. The Ravens have looked bad over the last four weeks, suffering an overtime loss to the Bears (in a game where Mitchell Trubisky only completed 8 of 16 passes) and getting blown out by both the Jaguars and Steelers during that time span.

With Baltimore being a seemingly inferior opponent, many experts are penciling this game in as a win for the Vikings. And with the Browns up next on the schedule, it’s hard not to look ahead and think that this team has a great chance of going into the bye week with a 6-2 record.

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The Ravens have a strong defense, and it’s only about to get stronger with defensive tackle Brandon Williams returning to action this week. On top of that, Baltimore possesses a secondary and pass rush that are both capable of giving Minnesota fits.  Throw in a laundry list of injuries for both teams this week and it feels like a tediously low-scoring game is likely in store for Sunday

If points do end up coming at a premium, the Ravens possess a special teams unit that is capable of changing games and getting the team additional points. Justin Tucker is one of the NFL’s best kickers, and both Bobby Rainey Jr. and Michael Campanaro have return touchdowns this season. The Vikings’ special teams hasn’t been as good this year as in years past and with there being a very real chance that this game could down to field goals, do we really trust Minnesota in any sort of kicking battle?

Next: Week 7 status up in the air for Vikings receiver

Ultimately, this feels like the sort of game where it will either be a relatively comfortable Vikings win or a potentially huge letdown after all of the positivity that’s taken place over the past week.  Not really much in between.  I’m not confident in this pick, but I will say Minnesota narrowly escapes 20-17, with my bold prediction being that Trae Waynes gets a game-sealing interception on the final drive for the second week in a row.

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