Quote: @twgerber said:
4-4 the rest of the way. 10-6 final and North champs
I might consider that "sliding into the playoffs". You only with the division with that record because it's weak, and going 4-4 would pretty much prove our first half was only due to weak opponents. If this is any kind of "prove it" year for Zimmer, he should be proving his team can beat teams with winning records, not just weaker teams.
10-6 would be a disappointment unless it was followed by at least 1 playoff victory - and if we only beat losing teams, 0-1 in playoffs is pretty likely, right? 9-7 or less...is another season-ending collapse and time for serious reevaluation.
Some people have suggested I'm a cynic. (Really..) But I am predicting 12-4 because, if this team is really what a 6-2 first half suggests - a team rising to do enough to beat each opponent despite some first-half bumps, with genuine playoff qualifications - they should win their easy games and split (at least) the tougher ones. Maybe 11-5 because they got a bad bounce in a game. But if they just have a .500 second half, do we have any reason to expect a playoff run?
Quote: @Jor-El said:
@ twgerber said:
4-4 the rest of the way. 10-6 final and North champs
I might consider that "sliding into the playoffs". You only with the division with that record because it's weak, and going 4-4 would pretty much prove our first half was only due to weak opponents. If this is any kind of "prove it" year for Zimmer, he should be proving his team can beat teams with winning records, not just weaker teams.
10-6 would be a disappointment unless it was followed by at least 1 playoff victory - and if we only beat losing teams, 0-1 in playoffs is pretty likely, right? 9-7 or less...is another season-ending collapse and time for serious reevaluation.
Some people have suggested I'm a cynic. (Really..) But I am predicting 12-4 because, if this team is really what a 6-2 first half suggests - a team rising to do enough to beat each opponent despite some first-half bumps, with genuine playoff qualifications - they should win their easy games and split (at least) the tougher ones. Maybe 11-5 because they got a bad bounce in a game. But if they just have a .500 second half, do we have any reason to expect a playoff run?
It's very hard to win on the road in the NFL no matter who the opponent is. And the second half is much tougher. Can't expect 6-2 in the second half IMO. 4-4 would still be good. 5-3 even better. I don't see any chance of 6-2.
I'm on the 12-4 train, which was a record that occurred to me during the offseason.
I had no idea that we'd be facing another, new QB kerfluffle...but I think we can win with any of the 3 likely QBs we have.
Its hard to look a full 8 weeks ahead just because everyone has seen firsthand how injuries can derail things. But here are my thoughts:
@Washington - Win. A majority of the players who went through the collapse last year are still on this years team, they'll want to come out of the bye strong. Washington has had trouble keeping their O-line healthy and the Vikings D should feast on that. If the Vikings O-line can keep the QB clean there is no reason they can't win this game.
LA Rams - Loss. I personally don't know what to think of the Rams. Their metrics are good, but they haven't had a ton of challenges either. The Rams run a lot of quick hitting routes to negate pass rush and have some of the best pass protection in the NFL. The Vikings may limit Gurley but McVay will give Goff easy reads to keep the chains moving. I also worry about Donald against the Vikings interior O-line.
@ Detroit - Win. This basically has to be a win to avoid a head-to-head tie=breaker going to Detroit. The Lions have seemingly had the Vikings number, but the Vikings are simply the better team. If the defense can generate pass rush against the Lions OT's like they did in week 4 I like the Vikings chances.
@Atlanta -Win. Until the Atlanta offense shows a spark I wouldn't be particularly worried about them. The Vikings defense has the ability to take away Julio Jones and their running game.
@Carolina - Loss. Winning three road games in succession is a near impossibility in the NFL. The Vikings pass rush will be able to get after Cam, but the counter of McCaffrey & Samuel will cause the Vikings trouble. On defense the Panthers have the athleticism to give the Vikings issues across the board.
Cincinnati - Win. Mike Zimmer will finally get a regular season match up against his former team. The Bengals have some pieces on offense (Mixon/Green) but don't seem to use them consistently. They're strong on defense but undisciplined. The Vikings take care of business at home.
@Green Bay - Win. Of course the return of Aaron Rodgers could sway this the other way. Winning at Lambeau late in the season is tough due to the conditions. Those conditions also favor the defensive team. Brett Hundley should have his feet back under him at this point, but the Vikings should be able to get some opportunistic opportunities on defense.
Chicago - Win. Chicago has looked better the past few weeks and have an underrated defense. Trubisky may be the QB of the future, but there are going to be growing pains. If the Vikings can put up some points on the Chicago defense they should be able to win the regular season finale.
Final record: 12-4. 2nd seed NFC and 1st round playoff bye.
The team beats Washington if they remain as beat up as the report that PapaScott so graciously supplied. They keys are Crowder, a very underrated Slot WR against Alexander, does Norman shut down AT and get a pick or two with Case continuing to stare Adam down and telegraph his throws, and if the Skins Line is too banged up to open up holes for the sneaky good Chris Thompson. Of course with this hit/miss Vikings Offense turnovers, special teams and field position will be huge.
I'm also seeing a loss to the Rams for exactly the reasons Geoff listed.
Beat the Lions or Caldwell will be 4-0 in his last 4 games against Zimmer. Ludicrous!
Loss at Atlanta. If Crowell and Duke Johnson could combine for over 100 yards against Minnesota I shudder to think what Freeman and Coleman can do. And Ryan will throw at Waynes all day trying to cover the savvy vet Sanu.
Carolina is a win. Cam is already imploding, McCaffrey is awful at YAC and they traded away their best weapon outside of Olsen. Their DTs and Luke K. worry me, though. Will need to be a very clean game but I think they squeak it out.
Cincinnati is a loss because the NFL makes no sense and they have more than enough talent to catch a road-weary team that is flat-footed and pull the upset.
GB and Chicago are wins. Maybe even if Sloter is starting. The Packers FO will hype Erin coming back all season to keep the fans distracted, but there's zero chance he plays when they are out of contention for a playoff birth. Chicago is completing whst, 5 passes a game? That won't cut it if the Vikings can sell out to stop the run.
5-3 the rest of the way. And it probably happens exactly the opposite of how I think it will because, you know, it's the NFL.
I didn't realize the vikings had the 3rd toughest schedule in the first half. It is easier in the second half with the 6th toughest
Quote: @PSBLAKE said:
5-3 11-5 North winners
I think this is their realistic ceiling to finish the year, the best they could do. Would love to see it. Not sure it will happen, but fingers crossed.
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