The Minnesota Vikings kicked off a brutal leg of their 2025 NFL schedule this week when they took on the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football. The challenges will keep coming, with the Detroit Lions coming up next week and the Baltimore Ravens coming to town in Week 10.
After the Vikings' embarrassing performance in Week 8, it is difficult to get excited about playing some of the league's better teams. To make matters worse, some of those teams will be getting healthier in time to play the purple and gold.
The Minnesota Vikings will likely have to face superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson when they play the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10.
This week, the Ravens are playing the Chicago Bears. Star quarterback Lamar Jackson was ruled out for the game, but was very close to making his return to action. He has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for the previous two weeks.
Tyler Huntley will be the starter against Chicago. And the Ravens have a short break before their Thursday Night Football game against the Miami Dolphins, meaning Jackson might not make his return for that contest.
Week 10 is the most likely time for Jackson to return to the starting lineup for Baltimore. That is the week Baltimore will play the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, and the two teams will be desperate for wins.
Minnesota has been dealing with quarterback injuries of its own and has been starting backup Carson Wentz while J.J. McCarthy recovered from an ankle injury. He is likely to make his return to the Vikings' starting lineup next week when the team plays the Detroit Lions.
The Ravens haven't seen Lamar Jackson in action since Week 4, when they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Baltimore is 1-3L with him as their starting quarterback this season, but those losses were to the Bills, Lions, and Chiefs.
Those losses aren't a reflection of Jackson's play at all. This season, he has thrown 10 touchdowns compared to only one interception while completing 71.6 percent of his passes and adding 41.5 rushing yards per game.
The Ravens will be a huge test for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10. Preparing to defend a dual-threat quarterback like Jackson is always a huge challenge. Head coach Kevin O'Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores will need to have the team ready to attack Baltimore in Week 10.