The Minnesota Vikings play one of the highest-stakes games of the season this Sunday against Green Bay.
How important? Well, by one metric, their playoff hopes basically ride on the outcome:
Minnesota's chances of making the playoffs:
46% with win at Green Bay
2% with loss at Green BayPer ESPN's FPI.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 31, 2021
Unfortunately for Minnesota, they’ll be without their starting quarterback after the unvaccinated Kirk Cousins tested positive for COVID-19.
Vikings’ QB Kirk Cousins tested positive for COVID, sources tell ESPN. As an unvaccinated player, he’s out Sunday night vs. Packers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2021
With Cousins out, many people expected rookie Kellen Mond to get the start in the massive Sunday Night Football contest, but instead Minnesota will reportedly turn to another backup option:
I'm told that the Vikings are planning to announce Sean Mannion will be coming off the COVID-19/Reserve list today. He was placed on the COVID list last Sunday while Kellen Mond served as Kirk Cousins' backup. Mannion will be in line to start vs. GB.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 31, 2021
Sean Mannion has played in three games this season with Minnesota, but the five-year vet might be the safer call than Mond thanks to his overall experience. Either way, Minnesota is facing a very tough task defeating Aaron Rodgers and the Packers no matter who is under center.
