Vikings Call Out Kalif Raymond for Alleged ‘Dirty Play’ in Week 9 Clash
The Minnesota Vikings edged the Detroit Lions 27-24 during Week 9. But the Vikings didn’t just allow their play to do the talking. Multiple Minnesota players voiced their displeasure with Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond for a block he delivered on Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel on Sunday.
Van Ginkel called the block “a dirty play.” Fellow Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson referred to the block as “absolute [explicative]” and a “cheap shot.”
“Obviously, getting hit on the side, I’m just going to pass rush,” Van Ginkel said, via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “And all of a sudden I get whiplash because the guy blindsides me. I’m not going to go into too much detail about it, but I wasn’t too pleased with it.”
The Vikings linebacker, though, did provide more details about what left him unpleased.
“I think that it’s something that the league should look at if it’s something that they need to take out of the game,” Van Ginkel added. “Because we can’t be doing that. … When you’re pass rushing like that, you are not anticipating someone blindsiding from the side. I’m trying to get off the ball, get a good pass rush. I had no clue he was there. How are we supposed to protect ourselves in those cases?”
Vikings Air Out Frustration on Lions’ Kalif Raymond for Unpenalized Block
Seifert reported that Van Ginkel and Wilson weren’t the only Vikings players upset about Raymond’s block. There’s no guarantee, though, that the league is going to do much about it.
That is, unless the NFL changes its rulebook in the offseason.
“The block was not penalized and does not appear to fit the NFL’s definition of either a crackback or blindside block,” wrote Seifert.
It is important to note that just because a hit is legal doesn’t mean it isn’t potentially dangerous or “dirty.”
That’s not to say that Raymond’s block was definitely dirty. The determination of whether or not a play is dirty is just often left up to players, coaches and analysts, not the NFL rulebook.
If the Lions had beaten the Vikings on Sunday, the comments from Van Ginkel and Wilson on Raymond’s block would come across as sour grapes. But that’s not the case with the Vikings getting the win.
Van Ginkel also still tackled Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs for a 1-yard loss despite Raymond’s block.
Vikings Using Van Ginkel’s Play vs. Raymond’s Block as Motivation
Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell wasn’t one of the Vikings who complained about Raymond’s block. But O’Connell may have indirectly contributed to some of the players’ displeasure over the block.
Seifert reported O’Connell showed the entire team Van Ginkel fighting through Raymond’s block as an example of “resourcefulness.”
“He provides so many layers of things to our defense,” O’Connell said, via Seifert. “That allows [defensive coordinator Brian Flores] to be who he wants to be as a playcaller. And then Gink helps everybody else around him, not only himself, play at a high level.”
Showing the entire team the play only increased the chances Vikings players saw the block again and took issue with it.
Just because Raymond didn’t receive a penalty for his block doesn’t mean he won’t get a fine. But it’s hardly a guarantee either.
Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson seemingly has a greater chance to receive a league fine. Officials called Hutchinson for unnecessary roughness penalty in the second quarter during Week 9 after he stuck out his leg and tripped Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Patrick Mahomes Strongly Guarantees: ‘Chris Olave Will Help Chiefs Return to the Top’!
In a bold declaration, Kansas City Chiefs' star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, made it clear that despite the challenges the team is facing this season, the Chiefs are poised to return to their peak form. Speaking about the potential acquisition of Chris Olave, Mahomes expressed his unwavering confidence in the wide receiver’s ability to elevate the team to new heights.
"We won’t let these challenges get in our way. Every day is an opportunity to prove we’re stronger than ever. And Chris Olave will be a key piece in helping us get back to the top," Mahomes said, showcasing a level of determination that Chiefs fans have come to expect from their franchise quarterback.
Mahomes’ words carry weight, especially given the current struggles the Chiefs’ offense has encountered this season. Despite having one of the league’s most prolific quarterbacks, the Chiefs’ receiving corps has been inconsistent, leaving Mahomes without the weapons he’s accustomed to. Enter Chris Olave, a dynamic and talented wide receiver from the New Orleans Saints, whose addition could provide Mahomes with a much-needed playmaker to help stabilize and energize the Chiefs' offense.
Olave, who was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has already shown flashes of brilliance in his career, with incredible route running and hands that are built for high-pressure situations. His ability to stretch the field and create separation would give Mahomes a reliable target in critical moments, something the Chiefs have struggled with as of late. Olave’s youth, talent, and drive make him an ideal fit in Kansas City’s high-octane offensive scheme.
For Mahomes, this isn’t just about acquiring a top-tier talent; it's about a mentality shift. The Chiefs, who have dominated the AFC in recent years, are in a fight to stay on top. But Mahomes believes the addition of Olave could be the catalyst the Chiefs need to get back into the postseason picture and potentially claim another Super Bowl title. He sees the acquisition as not just a strategic move but a game-changer that can reignite the team’s momentum.
Chiefs fans are hoping that Mahomes' confidence in Olave is not misplaced. The Chiefs have long been known for their explosive offense, and with Mahomes leading the charge, the sky’s the limit. The addition of a player like Olave could make all the difference in the world for a team that’s been synonymous with high-scoring games and championship-caliber performances.
With the pressure on, it’s clear that Mahomes is ready to rise to the occasion. The Chiefs are far from done, and with Chris Olave in the fold, the journey back to the top of the AFC might just be beginning.
