The Vikings have reached Week 14, and they are in a good position to determine their own season fate.

Josh Dobbs and the Minnesota Vikings will look to get back on track in Week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders on the road.

The Vikings have reached Week 14, and they are in a good position to determine their own season fate. They enter their meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders with a 6-6 record and are relatively healthy and rested due to their bye week.

Of course, they could have been much better than.500 at this point, having lost their last two games by one and two pints to the Broncos and the Bears, respectively. But, as the Vikings enter the final stretch of the season, head coach Kevin O’Connell is not looking back. The Vikings are currently in the NFC playoff structure as the No. 6 seed, which would be a favorable position to be in when the postseason begins.

Yes, they have an outside chance at the NFC North title and the No. 3 seed because they still have two games against the Lions, but that would require a sweep and the Lions to lose one more game while the Vikings go undefeated.

The Eagles and 49ers are expected to finish first and second in the NFC, but not necessarily in that order. The NFC North champion should be seeded third, while the NFC South champion should be seeded fourth. If the Cowboys do not overtake the Eagles, Dallas will almost certainly have the top Wild Card spot, and they will presumably have an easy game against the NFC South survivor.

If the Vikings maintain their No. 6 ranking, they will face the Lions three times in four weeks — in Weeks 16, 18, and the first weekend of the postseason. Dropping to No. 7 would, however, bring in the Niners or Eagles (unless the Cowboys overtake Philadelphia), which would be a major issue.

Josh Dobbs is given another chance and will throw for one touchdown and run for another.

After throwing four interceptions in the Bears’ Week 12 Monday night loss, O’Connell said he would reconsider his decision to start Dobbs before announcing who would start against the Raiders. He determined that Dobbs would remain at quarterback, which is a good thing for the Vikings.

Dobbs won two games after being acquired from the Cardinals at the trade deadline, and there is no doubt about his athletic ability or bravery. The belief here is that if he can get some time in the pocket from a solid offensive line, Dobbs will do enough good things to help the Vikings get back in the win column.

The key to making Dobbs feel at ease is preventing Raiders pass rush specialist Maxx Crosby from wreaking havoc. That may depend on the Vikings regularly double-teaming him.

Dobbs is most effective when he rolls out to his right because it provides him with the best run-throw option. He has a much better chance of making the correct decision with the ball if Crosby is not in his face.

The return of Justin Jefferson to the lineup is another plus for the quarterback in this game. Jefferson has been out with a hamstring injury since early October, so this will be Dobbs’ first opportunity to work with the league’s best receiver.

Jefferson appears to be in good health now, but he could be rusty. By double-teaming Jefferson, the Raiders will ensure that he does not run free and clear in their secondary. This should provide opportunities for rookie wideout Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

The passing game should pick up against the Raiders, and Dobbs should return to form.

Danielle Hunter must record two sacks against the Raiders.
The Vikings’ defense has improved this season, which is one of the main reasons they were able to build a 5-game winning streak earlier in the season. They’ve responded admirably to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and there can’t be any slippage now.

Hunter is unlikely to let that happen. He has already accumulated 13.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, 2 passes batted down, and 60 tackles. He’s having a fantastic season, and the Vikings are following in his footsteps. In this game, the edge rusher will sack Raider quarterback Aidan O’Connell twice.

Hunter is not the only Vikings defender. Cam Bynum, a safety, has emerged as a playmaker, leading the team with 99 tackles, eight passes defensed, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. This season, cornerback Josh Metellus has 81 tackles, 4 passes defensed, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.

Harrison Smith, Byron Murphy, and D.J. Wonnum are also important contributors.

The rested Vikings should be able to return to winning ways against the Raiders.