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Skodin · 06-24-2019, 02:04 PM

1) Scary offensive potential. Simply this, we have a blocking scheme that is perfect for our uber talented RB. That dangerous running game (which we had none of last year then turned into a short pssing game with Flip) will lead to many Play Action passes with statistically the best PA QB in football. Throw in another weapon at TE, which is also a major hallmark of the Kubiak system and I believe we are setup to be a top 10 easily, maybe top 5 offense IF we can have solid play from Reiff and the RG. I have zero doubt we will get quality play from Elf, Bradberry, and ONeil. If that RG ends up being Collins due to performance I really like Cook’s chances of a MONSTER year. Big year by our RB only increases chances of a great year from the best duo of WR in the nfl.

2) Return of the defense. Got a little ahead of ourselves last year (Rhodes, Kendricks) took a chance on higher risk, higher reward (Richardson), faced some unnecessary drama (Griffen). I expect all of that to return to normal. I believe that a rejuvanated Griff with a rising Weatherly gives us edge presence, while Shemar helps solidfy a stout inside attack. Someone will arise from the 3T to rush the passer when needed, but i’ll take a very tough run defense versus 4 DL that get after the QB leaving gaps for the running game. Seecondary is stacked with talent and Anthony Harris is a star in the making. Mac Man will have a great year and depth at CB is crazy with Hughes returning. This is a top 5 defense, and if they finished around 4-6 with our offense around the same, thats the making of a great season.

3) Lastly, schedule. I like the way the schedule unfolds for us. I expect GB to be good but scratching for a WC. Detroit could be interesting but then again it’s Matt Stafford. Chicago with the loss of Fangio, as well as not having all the breaks, losing Howard, and Trubisky still an enigma, takes a step back. At the worst we should be 2-2 vs the AFC West (toss up game being LA to be 3-1), 2-2 vs NFC east (toss up game being Philly at home), 2-0 versus common NFC, so the divison is everything. An early win in GB, should put us on a path to 5-1 in the division, so that’s 11-5. With so many good teams in the NFC I believe 11-5 gets you a bye depending on tiebreakers. All NFC divisions go two deep with good teams plus a WC team (SF? Carolina? GB?). I would bet there will be plenty of NFC teams in the hunt to the end (Chicago, LA, NO all take a step back, Dal/Phl, plus Minnesota, Seattle, Atlanta, GB). thats 9 teams fighting for 6 spots right there.

My guess, we start out hot with two major wins (at GB, vs Philly) that get us to 6-2 at the mid point, with 7 winnable games left (4 home games Thanksgiving on). Special year, this is a 12-4 team in a tough NFC with two home games from a Super Bowl

06-24-2019, 02:21 PM

I agree with pretty much everything here. A lot of the national media seems to have forgotten about the Vikings, but this is still one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. And has been for the last 4 years. Last year was the outlier, not 2017. If they stay healthy, the Vikings will prove that this year. Agree about Chicago. 1st in turnovers and 3rd in games lost to injury last year. They're a very good team, but luck has a way of running out.

Recently saw an article by 200-year-old Gil Brandt about the 10 most talented rosters in the NFL. The Vikings were not among them. #10 was the Colts. I'd love anyone outside of New Jersey to look at the following two depth charts and make a legit argument that the Colts are more talented than the Vikings.

https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/IND

https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/MIN

06-24-2019, 02:33 PM

oh we are going to be good... ive been preparing myself all offseason for the heart wrenching ending that is sure to come.

06-24-2019, 03:25 PM

I agree with this assessment. I believe it will only be a 2 team race for the division. Maybe the Rogers factor can keep the Pack in it but I think it will be one on one with the Bears. Last year everything went against us like you said and for them. If all things are equal drama wise. I think we're better. The schedule being another thing that went against us. This years is spread out more then last year. Them east coast - west coast back to backs last year were just wrong. I think the Lions are in for a disaster. I don't feel much love from the players for that fat Grizzly Adams. I could see a tank coming. I don't see much from them.

06-25-2019, 01:39 AM

they will probably be good as long as they’re under the radar. Hopefully the national talking heads forget about them till february.

06-25-2019, 10:18 AM

Real optimism, causing Vikings fans heartache since 1971.

06-25-2019, 12:41 PM

We're always SB contenders this time of year, but I'm really guarded after the floppy/sloppy football of last season. I'll believe we're a playoff team when I see it. I think the Bears are #1 until we prove we're better. I see a very average Viking team (8-8 or 9-7) taking 2nd in the North.

Hope I'm wrong, and I know I was very wrong last season when I thought they'd be 11-5 or better.

06-25-2019, 01:44 PM

The potential is there for this team to be very good this year. I want to believe, but two questions that remain for me are; will the defense continue to regress? And can Cousins carry the team if the opponents shut down the run?

06-25-2019, 02:08 PM

Quote: @jargomcfargo said:
The potential is there for this team to be very good this year. I want to believe, but two questions that remain for me are; will the defense continue to regress? And can Cousins carry the team if the opponents shut down the run?

I think the defense will bounce back and that added balance and going to an offense that is tailored to Cousins will help him a lot.

The question that remains for me is how will Cousins play in big moments, when the game is on the line?

I see an 11 win team and a division title. What sucks is that no matter how well we do, the playoffs are a series of big games full of big moments that, historically, Cousins has not performed well in.

06-25-2019, 03:02 PM

I'm trying to minimize my attention on the Vikings for a couple months here, but I'm awfully guarded.
Re the OP: Didn't items 1 (great offensive potential) and 2 (defense should be great) also apply one year ago? I know Kubiak has an excellent track record, but it's yet another annual system change that inevitably takes time for adjustment - and Zimmer is impatient with offensive struggles. On defense, who could have predicted the problems, both on and off the field? No one did, and they are generally still unexplained, so how do you know they are gone? This defensive unit has talent, yes, but they come out flat a few games every year, so how do you solve that?
Someone said 2017 was not the outlier, but that's based only on hope. Zimmer has 3 of 5seasons winning 8 games or less, so he's still a weak bet to do better.