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Posted on: September 21, 2023, 11:16h.
Final up to date on: September 21, 2023, 12:51h.
The Los Angeles Rams despatched operating again Cam Akers to the Minnesota Vikings in a commerce that entails decide swaps within the 2026 NFL Draft, plus conditional draft picks.
The Vikings are the worst-rushing group within the NFL via the primary two weeks of the season, averaging simply 69 speeding yards per sport.
The Vikings hope Akers can bolster their speeding sport whereas including depth behind starter Alexander Mattison. Backup Kene Nwangwu sustained a again harm in coaching camp, which left untested Ty Chandler as the first backup behind Mattison.
The Rams chosen Akers with a second-round select of Florida State within the 2020 NFL Draft. He confirmed promise as a rookie in 2020 with 748 yards from scrimmage, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Akers tore his Achilles tendon within the 2021 preseason, however returned in time for the playoffs to assist the Rams win Tremendous Bowl LVI.
Cross-Completely satisfied Vikings Have NFL’s Worst Dashing Assault
Mattison struggled in his first season as a starter for the pass-happy Vikings. Within the first two video games of the season, the Vikings tried solely 23 rushes, which have been a mixture of their total philosophy and the very fact they fell behind early in each video games. The passing sport, led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, tallied 674 air yards for the second-most deadly passing assault within the NFL this season.
Dalvin Cook dinner was the beginning operating again for the Vikings for the previous half-decade, however he signed with the New York Jets within the preseason. Cook dinner was a four-time All-Professional operating again with the Vikings who rushed for greater than 1,000 yards in 4 consecutive seasons.
With Cook dinner coming into free company, the Vikings thought that former backup Mattison might simply step into the beginning position. Mattison excelled when Cook dinner went down with accidents in earlier seasons, and he scored 11 touchdowns as a alternative.
In 2023, Mattison has but to search out his groove within the first two video games this season because the starter. He rushed 19 instances for 62 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. He hasn’t scored any touchdowns this season.
The Vikings’ speeding assault suffered in two losses to begin the season, with Mattison unable to search out his rhythm. The Vikings rushed for 41 yards in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1, and generated solely 28 speeding yards in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.
Disgruntled Akers Will get Second Probability
In 2022 with the Rams, Akers rushed 188 instances for 786 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. He scored seven speeding touchdowns in 15 video games.
Akers had a cold and warm relationship with Rams head coach Sean McVay that dates to final season. He spent a number of weeks away from the group in the midst of the season after the Rams thought of including a veteran operating again in a commerce. McVay and Akers smoothed out their points, and Akers returned to the lineup for the ultimate 10 video games of the 2022 season.
Akers began for the Rams in Week 1 in a victory in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks. He rushed for under 29 yards on 22 carries and scored as soon as. Second-year operating again Kyren Williams excelled with 52 yards and two touchdowns on solely 15 carries.
McVay didn’t embody a wholesome Akers on the lively roster in Week 2 in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers.
I’m simply as confused as everyone else,” mentioned Akers by way of social media.
“I really feel superb in regards to the readability that was supplied to him on Friday and Saturday, each via he and (his) agent David Mulugheta,” McVay advised the LA Instances. “That’s unlucky, however I really feel prefer it was very clear with regard to our dialogue.”
In the meantime, Williams contributed 100 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns for the Rams in a loss in opposition to the 49ers in Week 2.
The Rams indicated on Monday that they have been procuring Akers. By Wednesday, the Vikings and Rams labored out a commerce.
Akers reunites with two former coaches in Minnesota after being acquired by the Vikings. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips have been on McVay’s employees with the Rams in 2020 and 2021.
Kirk Cousins Commerce Rumors
After the New York Jets misplaced quarterback Aaron Rodgers to an Achilles harm, there have been whispers and rumors out of Gotham that the Jets are concerned about buying Cousins in a commerce.
Cousins has an expiring contract and all indicators recommend the Vikings and Cousins will half methods within the low season. A commerce previous to the deadline is sensible if the Vikings aren’t going to make the playoffs and have no real interest in bringing again Cousins.
There’s a robust batch of quarterbacks popping out of school on the finish of this season, together with 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina) Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Bo Nix (Oregon), Michael Penix, Jr. (Washington), Quinn Ewers (Texas), Riley Leonard (Duke), Jayden Daniels (LSU), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), and Gavin Hardison (UTEP).
With so many incoming prospects, the Vikings see a possible path by deciding on a brand new franchise quarterback within the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nevertheless, the Akers commerce with the Rams signifies that the Vikings aren’t giving up on this season fairly but. Three out of their subsequent 4 video games are in opposition to 0-2 groups, together with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3, the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, and the Chicago Bears in Week 6.
Betting the 0-2 Vikings
The Vikings are 0-2 and know they’ll drastically enhance their postseason odds with a victory in opposition to the winless Chargers in Week 3. The Chargers are in the identical spot because the Vikings as a playoff squad from final season who had a disappointing 0-2 begin this season.
For the reason that merger in 1970, solely six groups superior to the playoffs after an 0-3 begin. The 2018 Houston Texans have been the final squad that stumbled out of the gate at 0-3 and locked up a postseason berth.
The Vikings received 13 video games final season, however most of their victories have been shut, one-score video games. They have been uncovered in a postseason loss to the New York Giants and knocked out after one sport. Oddsmakers put in the Vikings with a win whole of 8.5 over/below in 2023 earlier than the season started. Their adjusted win whole is now 7.5 o/u.
The Vikings are at the moment +260 odds to make the playoffs, in keeping with DraftKings. They’re -340 odds to overlook the postseason.
The Vikings started the season at +290 odds to win the NFC North, and +3500 odds to win the Tremendous Bowl. After a 0-2 begin, the Vikings are +7000 odds to win the Tremendous Bowl and +4500 odds to win the NFC Championship.
The Detroit Lions (1-1) are the betting favourite to win the NFC North at -105 odds, adopted by the Inexperienced Bay Packers (1-1) at +200, the Vikings at +500, and the Chicago Bears (0-2) at +1300.
The Vikings host Justin Herbert and the Chargers in a battle of winless groups in Week 3. The betting line has vacillated all week, and landed at a decide’em a few instances. The Vikings are at the moment a -1 favourite in opposition to the Chargers.
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