Florio's Legit Super Bowl Contenders

[MaroonBells]

I recall seeing talk about the niners having a very easy schedule this year.

Yes, in terms of winning percentage, they have the easiest schedule in the NFL, while the Vikings are tied for 5th, which is where the Vikings' schedule ranked last year as well. 

But I think schedule is less of a factor than some people make it out to be. Just read a piece by Dustin Baker that explains why faster than I can....

Indeed, the docket looks murderous from a July standpoint. But the NFL always changes. For example, in 2024, the early-season games against the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers felt like backbreakers on paper. Minnesota won both because neither team was elite.

Playing the New York Jets in London initially looked daunting because Aaron Rodgers was due for a turnaround season. Didn’t happen. Minnesota prevailed. From Week 10 to 12, Minnesota had a road gauntlet on tap: at Jacksonville, at Tennessee, and at Chicago. Those teams stunk, but we didn’t know it last July.

The NFL landscape changes every season, with injuries and teams failing to meet expectations. Just because the Vikings’ schedule looks brutal in July doesn’t mean it will remain that way.

[JimmyinSD]

Yes, in terms of winning percentage, they have the easiest schedule in the NFL, while the Vikings are tied for 5th, which is where the Vikings' schedule ranked last year as well. 

But I think schedule is less of a factor than some people make it out to be. Just read a piece by Dustin Baker that explains why faster than I can....

Indeed, the docket looks murderous from a July standpoint. But the NFL always changes. For example, in 2024, the early-season games against the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers felt like backbreakers on paper. Minnesota won both because neither team was elite.

Playing the New York Jets in London initially looked daunting because Aaron Rodgers was due for a turnaround season. Didn’t happen. Minnesota prevailed. From Week 10 to 12, Minnesota had a road gauntlet on tap: at Jacksonville, at Tennessee, and at Chicago. Those teams stunk, but we didn’t know it last July.

The NFL landscape changes every season, with injuries and teams failing to meet expectations. Just because the Vikings’ schedule looks brutal in July doesn’t mean it will remain that way.

I agree, its only a strong or weak schedule on paper,  but the questions are why some may be suggesting they are a better team might be looking at a weaker schedule and seeing an easier path to the playoffs.

[purplefaithful]

Here's some click-bait:

Predicting Teams That Will Finish Last in Every Division:

The Minnesota Vikings will go from one of the league's biggest surprise playoff teams in 2024 to a disappointing squad this year.

Though head coach Kevin O'Connell has proved himself to be a quality play-caller, he can't wave a magic wand to expedite first-year starter J.J. McCarthy's development.

The 22-year-old is coming off a lost rookie year in which he needed multiple surgeries to repair a torn meniscus from last August. He has to get back into playing shape while building a rapport with his teammates.

The Vikings have the supporting cast to help McCarthy's learning curve with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson in the pass-catching group. Minnesota attempted to strengthen the offensive line by adding rookie first-round guard Donovan Jackson, four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries.

The defense may be better than last year's unit that ranked fifth in scoring and 16th in total yards with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave on the front line.

However, McCarthy's inexperience could cost the Vikings some games against formidable opponents. Since he became head coach, O'Connell's rushing offenses have ranked 19th or worse. Without a complementary ground game, the QB could struggle through the first half of the season before he finds his rhythm.

The Vikings will hover around .500 until McCarthy makes significant strides.

Source: Bleacher Report

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More Click Bait:

X-Factors in Each Division

J.J. McCarthy is one of the biggest X-factors across the league. He sat out his rookie season because of a torn meniscus and has the pressure of taking over an offense that ranked ninth in scoring and 12th in total yards last season.

However, the Vikings have the personnel group in place to help the 22-year-old's development.

He'll have a dynamic receiver duo with two-time All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson and budding third-year wideout Jordan Addison on the perimeter. By December, two-time Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson will be two years removed from a torn ACL and MCL.

Minnesota also bolstered its offensive line with the addition of four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, rookie first-round guard Donovan Jackson and fifth-year veteran guard Will Fries. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason can lead a complementary ground game.

McCarthy led Michigan to a national title in his final collegiate year, but he's still had to answer critics who question his ability to lead a robust passing attack.

"A lot of [the public doubt] just comes with the stigma of playing at Michigan and not throwing the ball a lot," he told reporters.

In his first year as a starter in Minnesota, McCarthy shouldn't have to carry the offense with his arm or try to match what Sam Darnold did with the team in a 2024 Pro Bowl year.

McCarthy just needs to avoid egregious mistakes and put the ball in the right spots for his playmakers. If he does that, the Vikings won't see much offensive drop-off from last year and remain in contention for a division title.

Bleacher Report

[JimmyinSD]

Here's some click-bait:

Predicting Teams That Will Finish Last in Every Division:

The Minnesota Vikings will go from one of the league's biggest surprise playoff teams in 2024 to a disappointing squad this year.

Though head coach Kevin O'Connell has proved himself to be a quality play-caller, he can't wave a magic wand to expedite first-year starter J.J. McCarthy's development.

The 22-year-old is coming off a lost rookie year in which he needed multiple surgeries to repair a torn meniscus from last August. He has to get back into playing shape while building a rapport with his teammates.

The Vikings have the supporting cast to help McCarthy's learning curve with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson in the pass-catching group. Minnesota attempted to strengthen the offensive line by adding rookie first-round guard Donovan Jackson, four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries.

The defense may be better than last year's unit that ranked fifth in scoring and 16th in total yards with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave on the front line.

However, McCarthy's inexperience could cost the Vikings some games against formidable opponents. Since he became head coach, O'Connell's rushing offenses have ranked 19th or worse. Without a complementary ground game, the QB could struggle through the first half of the season before he finds his rhythm.

The Vikings will hover around .500 until McCarthy makes significant strides.

Source: Bleacher Report

---

More Click Bait:

X-Factors in Each Division

J.J. McCarthy is one of the biggest X-factors across the league. He sat out his rookie season because of a torn meniscus and has the pressure of taking over an offense that ranked ninth in scoring and 12th in total yards last season.

However, the Vikings have the personnel group in place to help the 22-year-old's development.

He'll have a dynamic receiver duo with two-time All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson and budding third-year wideout Jordan Addison on the perimeter. By December, two-time Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson will be two years removed from a torn ACL and MCL.

Minnesota also bolstered its offensive line with the addition of four-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, rookie first-round guard Donovan Jackson and fifth-year veteran guard Will Fries. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason can lead a complementary ground game.

McCarthy led Michigan to a national title in his final collegiate year, but he's still had to answer critics who question his ability to lead a robust passing attack.

"A lot of [the public doubt] just comes with the stigma of playing at Michigan and not throwing the ball a lot," he told reporters.

In his first year as a starter in Minnesota, McCarthy shouldn't have to carry the offense with his arm or try to match what Sam Darnold did with the team in a 2024 Pro Bowl year.

McCarthy just needs to avoid egregious mistakes and put the ball in the right spots for his playmakers. If he does that, the Vikings won't see much offensive drop-off from last year and remain in contention for a division title.

Bleacher Report

all said completely ignoring that the improved OL and the addition of Mason should see more emphasis put into the running game and take that perceived pressure off JJM.

[purplefaithful]

all said completely ignoring that the improved OL and the addition of Mason should see more emphasis put into the running game and take that perceived pressure off JJM.

He doesn't have to carry the team like Darnold did...That doesnt mean there wont be times he needs to make a play, extend a drive etc.

But overall, he can ease into it a bit. I mean the Vikings have been exemplary in fluffing the nest for him - some of the best Ive seen. 

Question is will KOC let him do that?  He may be much further along than that already and KOC will call it accordingly.

[JimmyinSD]

He doesn't have to carry the team like Darnold did...That doesnt mean there wont be times he needs to make a play, extend a drive etc.

But overall, he can ease into it a bit. I mean the Vikings have been exemplary in fluffing the nest for him - some of the best Ive seen. 

Question is will KOC let him do that?  He may be much further along than that already and KOC will call it accordingly.

I rarely felt that Darnold was carrying the team,  he was working with some damn good skill position guys and the defense bailed him out several times last year,  about the only thing SD had to overcome with a weak IOL, but even that didnt always break.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

The defense will make or break this team. JJ will have his challenging moments just like all developing QB's. Question is whether he learns from those moments or compounds them. If he is blessed with poise he will do well enough. His goal will be to develop and improve over the season. He has a good team around him. Odds are, he will be fine.

[greediron]

Yes, in terms of winning percentage, they have the easiest schedule in the NFL, while the Vikings are tied for 5th, which is where the Vikings' schedule ranked last year as well. 

But I think schedule is less of a factor than some people make it out to be. Just read a piece by Dustin Baker that explains why faster than I can....

Indeed, the docket looks murderous from a July standpoint. But the NFL always changes. For example, in 2024, the early-season games against the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers felt like backbreakers on paper. Minnesota won both because neither team was elite.

Playing the New York Jets in London initially looked daunting because Aaron Rodgers was due for a turnaround season. Didn’t happen. Minnesota prevailed. From Week 10 to 12, Minnesota had a road gauntlet on tap: at Jacksonville, at Tennessee, and at Chicago. Those teams stunk, but we didn’t know it last July.

The NFL landscape changes every season, with injuries and teams failing to meet expectations. Just because the Vikings’ schedule looks brutal in July doesn’t mean it will remain that way.

So much this.  The only real test for a tough schedule is how good the division is.  Have to play each of those teams twice.  If the division is weak, then the schedule is soft.

[medaille]

I don't think strength of schedule has anything to do with being a "legit super bowl contender". To be a legit super bowl contender, you have to beat a handful of the best teams in your conference in a row. It doesn't matter how many crappy teams you can beat. I mean look at our season last year. We beat most teams we played against. But two teams had our number. We were not "legit super bowl contenders". The comparison is against the best teams in the league.

[StickierBuns]

I don't think strength of schedule has anything to do with being a "legit super bowl contender".  To be a legit super bowl contender, you have to beat a handful of the best teams in your conference in a row.  It doesn't matter how many crappy teams you can beat.  I mean look at our season last year.  We beat most teams we played against.  But two teams had our number.  We were not "legit super bowl contenders".  The comparison is against the best teams in the league.

That's the prism I use as well. When Minnesota beats the likes of Philly, Detroit and the Rams, then we're cooking with gas. Evolve to be a team like Kansas City: no matter what happens in the regular season, you know come the playoffs is when they become as dangerous as it gets.