NFL season has quietly and quickly crept up on us, and the Vikings kick off with an immediate test on this Sunday, against the dreaded Packers. What should we expect from the Vikings this season?
CHANGES
Gone are mainstays like Stefon Diggs, Everson Griffen, and Linval Joseph, as well as basically all of the cornerbacks you knew from previous years. Gone is offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, although his replacement, Gary Kubiak already had a heavy hand in the offense last year. In are a plethora of promising rookies, as well as star defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.
OFFENSE
The offense should hum along nicely with Kubiak taking over the reins. It'll be virtually the exact same system as last year, which will provide some much-welcomed continuity that has not been there as the Vikings chewed through coordinators over the past few years. An uncharacteristically healthy offensive line to start the season, playing a second year in Kubiak's vaunted blocking scheme, should lead to improvement from a weak point in last year's team. Dalvin Cook is back and healthy, and will be a stud for as long as he stays on the field. Kirk Cousins is a legitimately good quarterback and it's ignorant to suggest otherwise (go educate yourself here). The biggest question will be how much of Diggs' slack can be picked up by impressive second-year options Bisi Johnson and Irv Smith Jr., as well as promising rookie Justin Jefferson. If they can become trusted options, the offense has a chance to be even better than last year.
DEFENSE
While the defense is down a few big names this year, I don't expect much drop-off. Yannick Ngakoue is an upgrade from the aging Everson Griffen, and will pair with Danielle Hunter to form perhaps the most fearsome pass-rushing duo in the league. Linval Joseph had lost some of his effectiveness, although the run defense may suffer a little after new defensive tackle Michael Pierce opted out of the season for COVID concerns. Cornerbacks Mackensie Alexander (good), Trae Waynes (average), and Xavier Rhodes (ugly) all departed, which will leave the Vikings with one of the youngest groups of corners in the league. Mike Hughes and Holton Hill have a number of starts under their belts already, and have showed promise in their first couple years. Early draft picks Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler have lots of positive buzz around them. In my opinion, the season will really depend on whether this young group sinks or swims. However, they do have the notable advantage of being backed by the best pair of safeties in the league, Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris. On top of that, if Mike Zimmer knows one thing, it's how to coach up his corners.
All in all, I think that the season will ultimately amount to the performance of the offensive line and the young cornerbacks. If the o-line can hold up in big games (which they struggled to do last year), the offense will not be an issue. If the corners can at least match the so-so production of the old guard, the defense shouldn't lose a step. I'd say 10-6 and a playoff spot is a reasonable expectation for the year.
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