2021 Opponent Breakdown: Minnesota Vikings
Los Angeles Rams
Stu Jackson
Continuing our series of offseason breakdowns following the 2021 schedule release, theRams.com examines the Rams Week 16 road opponent, the Minnesota Vikings (U.S. Bank Stadium, Dec. 26, 10:00 a.m. PT, FOX).
2020
Arriving at a 1-5 record by their Week 7 bye, the Vikings initially did not have the brightest outlook. Despite those struggles, they won five of their next six games - the fifth a 27-24 overtime victory over the Jaguars - after their bye week to move into a playoff spot.
Minnesota s chances of the qualifying for the playoffs took a hit again, however, after a Week 14 loss to Tampa Bay and Week 15 loss to Chicago. It could still make the playoffs if it won its final two games of the regular season, but a Christmas Day loss to New Orleans in Week 16 eliminated it from the playoff picture.
Bengals offseason falls short in ESPN rankings
Bill Barnwell thinks the Bengals could’ve done more during this offseason.
Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Cincinnati Bengals had a very polarizing offseason. Many expected Cincinnati to invest heavily into their offensive line and protect Joe Burrow coming off an ACL injury last season. They also made a couple head scratching moves beyond that, but one Analyst thinks they had one of the worst offseasons this year.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN ranked the Bengals’ 2021 offseason 24th in the NFL. Barnwell is a very respected analyst for his NFL takes, and he brings up some very fair arguments. The first thing he notes is how the Ja’Marr Chase pick can help Burrow as much as drafting a top offensive lineman.