Minnesota Vikings mailbag: Stopping Jared Goff and the Sam Darnold/J.J. McCarthy dilemma highlight burning questions

It's been a glorious season for the Minnesota Vikings with a 14-2 start. However, there is still one more game to play against the Detroit Lions for all the marbles. Going into the game, there are a lot of intriguing elements at play, especially since the winner will win the NFC North and get the […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes against Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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It's been a glorious season for the Minnesota Vikings with a 14-2 start. However, there is still one more game to play against the Detroit Lions for all the marbles.

Going into the game, there are a lot of intriguing elements at play, especially since the winner will win the NFC North and get the number one overall seed in the NFC playoffs.

What does the fanbase think about the Vikings going into the game? You asked, and I answered in the latest mailbag.

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Biggest Vikings game since?

This is a really good question. The biggest regular season games the Vikings have had over the last 25 or so years have been:

  • 2003: Week 17 @ Arizona
  • 2012: Week 17 vs. Green Bay
  • 2015: Week 17 @ Green Bay
  • 2018: Week 17 vs. Chicago
  • 2019: Week 16 vs. Green Bay

Because this is a regular season game, I'm not including the four NFC Championship Game appearances since 1998. 

Looking back, the biggest game in that time frame would be that 2015 week 17 matchup against the Packers. It was for the NFC North in Mike Zimmer's second season as Vikings head coach and winning it at Lambeau Field was just a little bit extra special. 

Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy?

I don't have an answer right now. There is still too much data to collect. I guarantee we will spend a lot of time talking about what the right choice will be over the next two months. 

I will leave you with this: Darnold right now is playing how you were hoping that McCarthy would play when he fully developed. Why would you get rid of that just because it will cost you money? Keeping Darnold is different than keeping Kirk Cousins, as Darnold elevates the offense.

Finding answers to Jared Goff's success in the middle of the field

Goff is so good in multiple areas but the two best ones right now: attacking the middle of the field and beating the blitz.

In the first matchup between these two teams, Goff completed 11-11 for 198 yards and two touchdowns on throws between the numbers. It was an impressive display of a player that attacked the Vikings' biggest weakness on defense.

The key to limiting that impact will be the presence of inside linebacker Blake Cashman, who was not there in the first matchup. His ability to be a true three-down linebacker and play coverage was missing in the first matchup, especially in the middle of the field. 

The other important element here is the Vikings need to get pressure on Goff with three or four pass rushers. They have been very successful doing so in recent weeks, and it will be more important with Goff having destroyed the blitz in the first matchup. Do those things and the Vikings will be in position to win this game.

How much for Byron Murphy Jr.?

This is an interesting discussion. Let's first talk about what the top of the market looks like.

  • Jalen Ramsey: $24.1 million
  • Pat Surtain II: $24 million
  • Jaire Alexander: $21 million
  • A.J. Terrell: $20.25 million
  • Denzel Ward: $20.1 million
  • Marlon Humphrey: $19.5 million
  • Marshon Lattimore: $19.4 million
  • Trevon Diggs: $19.4 million
  • Tyson Campbell: $19.125 million
  • L'Jarius Sneed: $19.1 million

Those are the top 10 contracts at the position with the 15th highest contract belonging to both Darius Slay and Jamel Dean. How well do you think Murphy is will answer whether or not you believe Murphy deserves a hefty payday.

This year, Murphy has been playing at an extremely high level. He is a starter in the Pro Bowl for the NFC and is so important to how the Vikings want to play defense. I would give him a hefty contract, but not quite up to the level of the top 10.

My ideal contract? 4 years, $70 million ($17.5 million AAV) with $32 million guaranteed.

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