Early Predictions Already?

If the Vikings only win 9 games with Murray as QB1, some shit should hit the fan. You don't push off development of your young QB to win the same amount of games you won LAST year with 'historically bad' QB play. It would be a big strategic mistake to pivot like this and not win at least 11 or 12+ games and win a playoff game +. I'm fine with Kyler being QB1 only if the wins come big time, which I've mentioned ad nauseam. The way this team is being setup this year and the probability that injuries will not be as prolific as last season, hell JJM could get you to 10+ wins with only incremental improvement.

Not sure if this is your opinion or you pulled this off the 'Net somewhere. But this would be a disaster for KOC and ownership.

StickierBuns wrote:

If the Vikings only win 9 games with Murray as QB1, some shit should hit the fan. You don't push off development of your young QB to win the same amount of games you won LAST year with 'historically bad' QB play. It would be a big strategic mistake to pivot like this and not win at least 11 or 12+ games and win a playoff game +. I'm fine with Kyler being QB1 only if the wins come big time, which I've mentioned ad nauseam. The way this team is being setup this year and the probability that injuries will not be as prolific as last season, hell JJM could get you to 10+ wins with only incremental improvement.
Not sure if this is your opinion or you pulled this off the 'Net somewhere. But this would be a disaster for KOC and ownership.

Article I saw on the net...I don't believe it either. lol

The article says the roster is “flawed.” I don’t see it that way. I might like an additional edge player and DB for depth, but the roster is pretty strong at starters and key backups.

I’m not going to get too far out on the ledge over some twitter article. Turbo Tark could have the same type of impact as Cunningham did back in 98.

As the man once said, RELAX…

Geezus...another one.

NFC NORTH 

Detroit Lions: 12–5

I tend not to put too much stock into strength of schedule because so much changes year to year in the NFL. But this stacked roster, which probably needed a reset year after the departures of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, should take advantage of having the easiest schedule, according to data from Sharp Football Analysis. 

The Lions will face the Saints, Bills, Jets, Panthers and Cardinals to open the year. Don’t be surprised if they start 4–1. Also, coach Dan Campbell’s team got better on the offensive line with first-round rookie tackle Blake Miller and newcomer center Cade Mays. 

Chicago Bears: 11–6*

The Caleb Williams hype is real based on what he showed in the second half of last season. If Williams enters superstar status in his third season, Chicago will be in the mix for the postseason for many years. However, this is still a young team, and it won’t catch opponents by surprise in 2026.

There could be a drop-off while Johnson waits for his inexperienced players to make the most of their opportunities, such as Rome Odunze stepping into the No. 1 wide receiver role after DJ Moore was traded to Buffalo. There could also be added pressure from having to play in seven stand-alone games.

Minnesota Vikings: 9–8*

I have my reservations about the Vikings and their new quarterback because Kyler Murray hasn’t been—well, Kyler Murray—for a few years now and has struggled to stay healthy. Still, I’m willing to make a small bet (No. 7 seed in the NFC) that coach Kevin O’Connell and star receiver Justin Jefferson will help revive the career of the quarterback who will turn 29 in August. We’ll know quickly how good this team can be in 2026, with a home date vs. Green Bay and a road clash at Chicago in the first two games of the season. 

As for other concerns, there are a handful of questions along Brian Flores’s defensive front. The Vikings desperately need first-round rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks to be the real deal to help with the departure of Greenard.   

Green Bay Packers: 8–9

Packers fans haven’t been happy with me this offseason for my low grades on their draft and offseason. It’s hard to see where this team has improved, and it doesn’t help that Micah Parsons is rehabbing a torn ACL sustained in December. Also, Green Bay didn’t have a first-rounder because of the Parsons trade, waited until No. 52 to make a pick in April and saw a handful of notable departures, including wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. 

Still the best division in football with every team being separated by a sliver or less. How it shakes out will once again likely be determined by...you guessed it, INJURIES. How it shakes out is anybodies guess, but any team could win it

supafreak84 wrote:

Still the best division in football with every team being separated by a sliver or less. How it shakes out will once again likely be determined by...you guessed it, INJURIES. How it shakes out is anybodies guess, but any team could win it

Thats where my head is at too...

Barring anything major on the medical front, I think 9 wins is my floor for this year's Vikings team. 12 wins would not surprise me though.

It's an even year, so we got that going for us.

Bears had a +22 net turnover margin, highest in the league. No stat is less repeatable and more likely to regress to the mean. This isn't really being taken into account by these various low-rent prognosticators.

Similarly, Vikings were -9 net, tied for 4th worst. Again I think turnover regression and better qb play, along with Flores still being the DC, should improve the w/l record. The schedule isn't too bad either outside of the late TNF game and early bye. I'd say it's favorable compared to the Packers who play 6 night games with two Thursdays and a Wednesday, and a night game in January. Christ you couldn't pay me to sit outside at such a thing lol.

JustInTime wrote:

I’m not going to get too far out on the ledge over some twitter article. Turbo Tark could have the same type of impact as Cunningham did back in 98.
As the man once said, RELAX…

I didnt realize that little tykes made a game of thrones edition chair!

comet52 wrote:

Bears had a +22 net turnover margin, highest in the league. No stat is less repeatable and more likely to regress to the mean.

Truth...

That and injuries year on year.

JimmyinSD wrote:

I didnt realize that little tykes made a game of thrones edition chair!

It’s a special edition, very limited quantities.

Course, a dwarf did play a pretty big role during the entire series, soooooo… there’s that.

JustInTime wrote:

It’s a special edition, very limited quantities.
Course, a dwarf did play a pretty big role during the entire series, soooooo… there’s that.

lol, truth! I laughed at both jimmy's comment and then yours also.....lmao. 😂 For christ's sake, we all deserve it.....can we just win it once?? ONCE?

StickierBuns wrote:

lol, truth! I laughed at both jimmy's comment and then yours also.....lmao. 😂 For christ's sake, we all deserve it.....can we just win it once?? ONCE?

Lol

I mean, for Pete’s sake the last time we were in a Super Bowl I was 17. Other than Buffalo, who deserves it more?

comet52 wrote:

Bears had a +22 net turnover margin, highest in the league. No stat is less repeatable and more likely to regress to the mean. This isn't really being taken into account by these various low-rent prognosticators.
Similarly, Vikings were -9 net, tied for 4th worst. Again I think turnover regression and better qb play, along with Flores still being the DC, should improve the w/l record. The schedule isn't too bad either outside of the late TNF game and early bye. I'd say it's favorable compared to the Packers who play 6 night games with two Thursdays and a Wednesday, and a night game in January. Christ you couldn't pay me to sit outside at such a thing lol.

Outside, at night, in January, in Green Bay, and Spergeon Wynn (IIRC )was the QB. 2 degrees at kickoff.

My fandom should never be questioned.

Ever.

💀StickierBuns wrote:

If the Vikings only win 9 games with Murray as QB1, some shit should hit the fan. You don't push off development of your young QB to win the same amount of games you won LAST year with 'historically bad' QB play. It would be a big strategic mistake to pivot like this and not win at least 11 or 12+ games and win a playoff game +. I'm fine with Kyler being QB1 only if the wins come big time, which I've mentioned ad nauseam. The way this team is being setup this year and the probability that injuries will not be as prolific as last season, hell JJM could get you to 10+ wins with only incremental improvement.
Not sure if this is your opinion or you pulled this off the 'Net somewhere. But this would be a disaster for KOC and ownership.

I agree but don't wanna turn this thread into that lol. If Murray is playing solid and we're in the hunt but on the fringe, I wonder at what point if any KO would give McCarthy a start a la Alex Smith/Kaepernick? The sad truth is he probably wouldn't, but man if we end this season by missing the playoffs and then have a hard decision on whether or not to pay Kyler because he was good but not amazing, PLUS we fans have zero additional info on whether or not JJM is good enough to run the show in 2027... that's gonna maddening 💀. Let's just win lots of games. Yes. That sounds better.

FourCornersViking wrote:

NFC NorthDivision StandingsPredicted Final 2026 Record1. Chicago Bears12-52. Green Bay Packers12-53. Detroit Lions10-74. Minnesota Vikings9-8It just feels right to have the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers duking it out atop the NFC North, doesn't it. These rivals have the look of two of the best teams in the conference (and maybe the entire league), especially if we see Caleb Williams really take off in year two with Ben Johnson. Meanwhile, the Packers have been steady as a rock and, as long as Jordan Love can stay healthy, there's little reason to doubt them — even if Chicago does nab the divisional tiebreaker here.Last season felt quietly like an anomaly for the Detroit Lions, though I do think that the ascensions of the Bears and Packers will ultimately put them in a spot where they're playing third fiddle to the rest of the NFC North. That should still be enough to fight for a wild card spot, however. That's not quite true of the Minnesota Vikings, though. Kyler Murray's arrival should mark noted improvement, but the roster as a whole remains too flawed to think of them as being among the top teams in this division.

JustInTime wrote:

Outside, at night, in January, in Green Bay, and Spergeon Wynn (IIRC )was the QB. 2 degrees at kickoff.
My fandom should never be questioned.
Ever.

Eh, you might have to hold my beer on that one buddy...

I had to sit on Met Stadium steel benches, in the winter, on the prairie in bloomington, mn for years on end

But I also got to watch Tark, Foreman, Rashad, Alan Page, Moose, Krause etc..Almost made it worthwhile lol!

I will say you deserve at least a purple heart for sitting through that Wynn game at Lamblow.

QB play seems to be getting all of the attention in terms of the main factor for our win total, however I think we can get great QB play and still end up at 9 wins.

There seems to be an assumption the defense will be great, because of Flores, but there are a lot of questions marks. Our two new DL were not overly productive in college and one's availability is questionable based on injury. We lost our best defensive player and not sure his replacement can come near the production. The secondary was not great last year and there have been no significant upgrades and we may lose Harry. Can make an argument for less talent on the defense this year. Hopefully Golday turns out to be another Van Ginkel and Thomas and Demmings prove to be great finds.

JR44 wrote:

QB play seems to be getting all of the attention in terms of the main factor for our win total, however I think we can get great QB play and still end up at 9 wins.
There seems to be an assumption the defense will be great, because of Flores, but there are a lot of questions marks. Our two new DL were not overly productive in college and one's availability is questionable based on injury. We lost our best defensive player and not sure his replacement can come near the production. The secondary was not great last year and there have been no significant upgrades and we may lose Harry. Can make an argument for less talent on the defense this year. Hopefully Golday turns out to be another Van Ginkel and Thomas and Demmings prove to be great finds.

I predicted a step-back for the D this season as well. Simply because there's going to be more inexperience getting snaps this year. And yah, big (literally) questions on Banks.

I know you dont like BFlo, but calling the secondary not great last year is a belief thats not supported by fact:

The 2025 Minnesota Vikings secondary was surprisingly elite, finishing second in the league in passing defense despite lacking major star power, allowing only 158.5 passing yards per game and 15 total passing touchdowns.

The unit was ranked as the 8th best secondary in the league in July 2025, but outperformed expectations to finish second overall in pass defense by the end of the season.

I think what that group accomplished in 25 is amazing and something to be celebrated...Just imagine if they could have played from ahead now and then!

StickierBuns wrote:

lol, truth! I laughed at both jimmy's comment and then yours also.....lmao. 😂 For christ's sake, we all deserve it.....can we just win it once?? ONCE?

Just once
Can we figure out what we keep doin' wrong?
Why we never last for very long
What are we doin' wrong?
Just once
Can we find a way to finally make it right?
To make the magic last for more than just one night
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it