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Vikings win NFC North in ESPN 2020 predictions The Vikings had an eventful offseason, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be worse off in 2020 than they were in 2019.
In ESPN’s FPI prediction for the 2020 season, it has the Vikings winning the NFC North with 8.6 wins. While that’s less than the team’s 10 wins in 2019, the Vikings didn’t win the division last season.
Per the model, the Vikings have a 54% chance to make the postseason.
The prediction has the Packers finishing with 8.1 wins, the Bears finishing with 8.0 wins and the Lions finishing with 6.6 wins.
If these standings were able to hold true for the 2020 season, the Vikings would host the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs.
![[Image: lius-lasahido-jon-snow.jpg?1502894195]](https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/006/997/359/large/lius-lasahido-jon-snow.jpg?1502894195)
Sure are a lot of folks picking the Vikings. Heck Steve Smith thinks we're the team most likely to challenge the 49ers. Last week, USA Today's sports betting group picked the Vikings to win the North at 12-4. The analytics people at NFL.com ran 100K simulations and the Vikings came out on top. Fansided picks 'em. I think I've seen at least a half dozen other analysts pick the Vikings in recent weeks.
What's going on? Wasn't it just two weeks ago we had a well respected poster get so angry at the "pollyannas" on the board who thought the Vikings might not suck in 2020 that he had to leave the board? And it wasn't because anyone picked the Vikings to win the North or finish with a better record than '19. Nothing crazy like that. It was because a couple people had the nerve to say that it was possible--POSSIBLE, mind you--that the Vikings might not be so bad next year.
I don't think the 'experts' know what to make of this division. Neither do I. But logically, not sure how you say Minnesota is going to dethrone Green Bay for the NFCN. Doesn't make sense. The Packers went to the NFCC game and beat Minnesota twice. And if you thought that the biggest detriment to Chicago was QB, they improved with Foles. Detroit is Detroit. 'Picking' the Vikings right now means nothing and it doesn't validate the thought that Minnesota won't take a step back this year. Its a Viking's board, most are going to be very hopeful.
I agree with Jimmy's thought that the Vikings are going to be relying on some rookies this year and its probably the worst year to do that considering how COVID has already impacted OTAs and upcoming mini-camps. Tons of questions and Steve Smith liking the Vikings isn't going to change that. Not trying to be a downer but I can see Minnesota being a little worse much more logically than being a little better this year.
I will say we gave SF more of a game than the pack did, but I'm not ready to crown us with so many questions on D...
well we all know that the packers like doing....well you know....that thing with sheep. My guess is thay they cannot do it while social distancing so....maybe theyll all catch covid leaving the Vikings as the obvious answer for Kings of the North.
The last time the Vikings had this kind of salary cap /UFA massive loss cycle was going into 2011.
2011 was doomed when McNabb showed up looking like a jelly doughnut
This time around the cupboard isn't empty
Cousins QB
Cook/Mattison RB
Kendricks/Barr Nickle LB
H Smith/ Harris Safety
Rudy/I Smith TE
Even a purple shaded kool aid drinking Viking homer, like myself , could make the argument those pairings and positions are Top 5? Top 3? in the NFL.
The Vikings have a Oline coach that is known to quickly fix Olines.
Zimmer is known to develop cornerbacks.
And Patterson has developed Dlines.
Add Kubiak as OC and Capers as Defensive specialist and I believe the Vikings scheme wont be as predictable
Theres lots of questions and areas that need to be developed I get it. , but I don't see why the Vikings coaches and new players can't develop into a competitive team
Massive injuries or Covid 19 are the only thing that will derail their 2020 season.
In ESPN’s FPI prediction for the 2020 season, it has the Vikings winning the NFC North with 8.6 wins. While that’s less than the team’s 10 wins in 2019, the Vikings didn’t win the division last season.
I find it amazing that they 8 - 9 wins takes the North. That's saying its a pretty weak division. If we win the division with only 8 wins, I'd be pretty disappointed with the season.
Quote: @Mattyman said:
2011 was doomed when McNabb showed up looking like a jelly doughnut
Hey man we don't talk about that!
Seriously, McNabb is probably my least favorite Viking ever. He "lead" us to 1-5, then rather than sticking around to help the rookie Ponder, he demanded a release. Then nobody signed him.
The Leslie Frazier Era... good times. 
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As far the North, we have a ton of question marks. But so does GB.
From what I can tell Chicago's coach isn't great and their front office is worse, and Detroit is Detroit.
Probably a 2-horse race as usual, and hopefully we take it. But the teams we need to be striving to beat are KC, BAL, SF, NO. Just one Super Bowl Vikings and I will have a smile on my face forever! *pops in my 2015 KC Royals DVD for the 100th time*
Honest question...am I the only one who is more worried about Barr and the other LB position over the corners? Barr has been below average the last couple of years and I'm nervous this year wont be any better with the other DT position up for grabs. Overall I still think the defense will be fine, just worried about the LB group as a whole.
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