2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 9
Minnesota Vikings (6-1) at Washington Commanders (4-4)
Sunday, November 6, 1:00 PM ET
It’s the Kirk Cousins revenge game, Part II.
The last time Kirk Cousins played against his former team was back in 2019, and he absolutely picked them apart. He nearly completed 90 percent of his passes as the Vikings coasted to a win against Washington, but things are obviously a lot different now in 2022.
The Vikings look like one of the best teams in the NFL. Regardless of how they are winning games or how close their wins are, the Vikings are winning just about every week, and their victory in Week 1 against the Packers really set the tone for this season. As far as making NFL picks, however, this one is really tough.
The Commanders have been resilient as well in recent weeks, somewhat shockingly winning three games in a row despite losing starting quarterback Carson Wentz to injury. Taylor Heinicke has come in and done well for himself, not just winning games for the Commanders but also earning himself some hefty bonuses.
For every game that Taylor Heinicke plays at least 60% of the snaps and the Commanders win, he earns a $125K incentive. He puts that bonus to a new pair of Jordans in the colors of the team that Washington beat. This week: new blue and white Jordans.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 30, 2022
Could a pair of purple and gold Jordans be on deck for Heinicke? Can the Commanders keep this rather improbable streak alive at home against a Vikings team that has so many dynamic weapons offensively? I’m not so sure.
I am going to go out on a limb and say that playing in Washington does something weird for Kirk Cousins. As good as he was the last time the Vikings played his former team, I think there’s some kind of mystique about the Commanders right now with Taylor Heinicke, and I’m (perhaps foolishly) buying into it for another week.
Prediction: Commanders win 26-24