The Minnesota Vikings are entering a make-or-break stretch of their season. Sunday, Week 6, marked the first of at least four games they will be playing without star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who injured his hamstring in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
With their season on the line, the Vikings went into Soldier Field and defeated their NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears. That pushed their record to 2-4, giving them at least a glimmer of hope that the season can be salvaged.
The Vikings’ schedule heading into their bye in Week 13 is certainly navigable, providing them a chance to win multiple games. Next week they host the San Francisco 49ers, who are coming off their first loss of the season and multiple injury issues against the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.
After that, Minnesota goes on the road to play the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons, host the New Orleans Saints, travel to take on the Denver Broncos and host the Bears. It is certainly not outside of the realm of possibility, given the level of performance of those opponents thus far this season, for the Vikings to be back at the .500 mark heading into the bye.
There are certainly a few issues for the team to iron out to get to that point, but it is doable; all they need is a chance. In the opinion of one former NFL executive, one way to improve those chances is to make a trade to upgrade the roster. In their opinion, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is the perfect trade target.
“If (Derrick) Henry becomes available, the Vikings should be aggressive. This team isn’t bad, they are more than capable of bouncing back and being an NFC contender. Adding Henry could be what gets them over the hump.”
Currently 2-4 and in last place in the AFC South, the Titans are primed to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline on October 31st. Henry, on an expiring contract, is one of the players whom they could look to move for some draft capital.
The Vikings have already made one move for a running back this season, acquiring Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams a few weeks ago. But, he isn’t on the same level as Henry, who would provide an upgrade over Alexander Mattison as well, helping create balance in the Vikings’ offense.
It will certainly be interesting to see how things play out for the Vikings, who looked like they would be sellers themselves in the coming weeks. All of that would change with a victory over the 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 7, as they would be in prime position to make a climb up the standings.
