5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Week 1

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) Kirk Cousins
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) Kirk Cousins
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Danielle Hunter

Hunter will record three sacks

One of the biggest questions heading into this season is the health of Danielle Hunter. Coming off a neck injury that sidelined him for the entire 2020 season, Hunter will have to prove that he’s at full health in order to get a new contract.

If training camp is any indication, the Vikings will have no choice but to pay Hunter next offseason. The 26-year-old tore through anyone in his path during camp and will now go up against an offensive line that allowed the sixth-most (48) sacks in the NFL last season.

Adding to the intrigue is Riley Reiff, who the Bengals signed to play right tackle this offseason. After years of battling Hunter in practice, Reiff will go head-to-head to protect Joe Burrow on Sunday. With Burrow still trying to gain confidence following a major knee injury, his pocket presence might not be what it was, leading to plenty of opportunities for Hunter (and the rest of the defensive line) to feast.

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