The Viking Age
FanSided

Top Minnesota Vikings takeaways from Week 8 vs. Cleveland Browns

By Josh Clarke

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates scoring a touchdown during the NFL International Series match between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium on October 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates scoring a touchdown during the NFL International Series match between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium on October 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Case Keenum of the Minnesota Vikings in action during the NFL International Series match between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium on October 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Case Keenum of the Minnesota Vikings in action during the NFL International Series match between Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns at Twickenham Stadium on October 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /

Put your faith in Case?

Heading into the bye week the Vikings face a conundrum at the quarterback position and against the Browns Case Keenum failed to inspire any confidence that he is the answer under center. Don’t get me wrong Keenum had another decent game in purple and gold, overcoming an uninspiring first half to throw for 288 yards and two touchdowns on a whopping 43 attempts. Keenum was particularly impressive as the Browns closed in around him with a QB rating of 133.3 when under pressure, per Pro Football Focus.

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Keenum has now played 7 games for Minnesota and his performance on Sunday didn’t reveal anything new. He has consistently demonstrated that when his supporting cast is playing well and his opponent is below average (Tampa, Chicago, Baltimore and the Browns in the second half) Keenum is competent enough to lead the Vikings to victory. However, when the competition is decent (Detroit and Pittsburgh) and the supporting cast aren’t playing to their usual high level (Browns in the first half) Keenum doesn’t have the ability to elevate those around him.

Looking ahead the Viking’s schedule doesn’t appear to be troublesome. Considering a certain Mr.Rodgers remains on the shelf Keenum should be able to lead the Vikings to enough wins to secure the NFC North but you have to ask how would he perform in the playoffs?

Don’t get me wrong average quarterbacks have won the Superbowl before but in the modern NFL, it is increasingly rare. As the level of competition increases, I can’t see the Vikings making a deep playoff run with #7 receiving snaps.

Next: RB In, Adams Out

There remains a possibility that heading into their Week 10 matchup with the Redskins the Vikings have 3 healthy options at quarterback and whilst that is a nice problem to have it is an unenviable position for the coaching staff to be in. Ultimately the goal is to be winning games in January and if Bradford or Bridgewater are good to go Keenum must ride the pine in the Vikings quest to compete in a home Super Bowl.

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