With Joe Burrows' injury, the Vikings' QB schedule just got a lot easier
Joe Burrow's season-ending injury is the latest in a string of high-profile QB injuries across the league this season, but it also means the Vikings have one-less top-tier quarterback on their remaining schedule.
In the midst of a five-game win streak, the Vikings have climbed up to 6-4 and in the playoff conversation in the NFC. With what looks like a cakewalk of opposing quarterbacks ahead there's conceivably no reason Vikings fans shouldn't be getting excited.
While it's obviously sad that yet another quality quarterback has been ruled out for the season – a list that includes the Vikings' own Kirk Cousins – it nonetheless has an impact on the remaining schedule for Minnesota, and the QBs they'll likely face.
Here's a look:
- Week 11 @ Denver Broncos (Russell Wilson)
- Week 12 vs Chicago Bears (Tyson Bagent/Justin Fields)
- Week 13 Bye
- Week 14 @ Las Vegas Raiders (Aidan O'Connell)
- Week 15 @ Cincinnati Bengals (Jake Browning)
- Week 16 vs Detroit Lions (Jared Goff)
- Week 17 vs Green Bay Packers (Jordan Love)
- Week 18 @ Detroit Lions (Jared Goff)
That's not exactly a murderers row of QBs for a defense that has been growing in confidence under Brian Flores over the last couple weeks.
The toughest challenges will be this Sunday night against Wilson, who has thrown the second most touchdowns in the league this season (18), and Goff, who has the fifth most passing yards (2507).
A resurgent Raiders team under interim head coach Antonio Pierce could pose some troubles but not because of O'Connell, who has posted PFF passing grades of 37.4, 70.6 and 53.4 in his three starts this season.
Former Vikings practice squad QB Jake Browning has thrown 15 career pass attempts, 14 of which came Thursday in replacement of the injured Burrow.
Flores' defense meanwhile has another chance to shine against whoever the Bears decide to put out at QB and the Packers' Jordan Love. Minnesota held the opposing offense to under 300 yards and 15 points in their first go arounds with the Bears and Packers.
Now, there's always the caveat that the Vikings themselves are dealing with a replacement QB of their own and the wheels could fall off at any moment, but the first two games of the Dobbs-era have proved promising.
