The Minnesota Vikings have been missing starting linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. for the last two weeks due to an ankle injury that appeared before their game against the Houston Texans. However, head coach Kevin O’Connell provided optimism for the upcoming game against the New York Jets, noting that Pace Jr. was close to playing against the Packers but needed another week to recover. He is expected to be ready for the Vikings’ London game. In Pace Jr.’s absence, linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill has performed well, recording five tackles and two interceptions. Additionally, the Vikings welcomed back wide receiver Jordan Addison, who returned to the lineup after an injury and scored two touchdowns in their victory over the Packers.
Nate Tice and Matt Harmon team up to analyze all eight division leaders at the quarter mark of the 2024 NFL season, assessing their confidence in each team’s chances to win their division. They begin with the two Monday night games, highlighting concerns about the Miami Dolphins without Tua and the success of the Detroit Lions’ offense.
Then, they dive into the NFC division leaders, evaluating the sustainability of Sam Darnold’s performance, their trust in Mike Macdonald’s defense, and the success of Jayden Daniels in Washington, among other topics. They also cover the AFC division leaders, discussing the impressive starts of George Pickens and Nico Collins, questioning the effectiveness of Andy Reid’s passing game, and considering whether there should be concerns about the Buffalo Bills.
