USA Today Projects The Minnesota Vikings To Suck This Year

Although it is really, really early in the preseason, USA Today decided to put together a projection of each team’s record for this coming season.  While many teams saw improvement, it seems as though the author believes the Minnesota Vikings will absolutely suck next year.

Here is what the author of the article, Nate Davis, had to say about the Vikings this year:

"Vikings 3-13: If the 2008 or 2010 version of Matt Cassel shows up, this might be playoff team. That’s a big if."

Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) claps following the game against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Lions 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

3-13 is, in fact, the lowest number of wins projected for teams in this article.  Other teams projected be terrible this year are the Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneeers, Dallas Cowboys, and Buffalo Bills.  This means that he believes Minnesota Vikings will be in the hunt for the #1 overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but to think that the Vikings have gotten significantly worse from last year is astounding.  It may take a little time for the players to adjust to the new head coach, personnel, and offensive and defensive systems, I don’t see this being a three win year for the boys from Minnesota this year.

His statement about Matt Cassel is curious as well.  If it were clear-cut that Cassel will win the starting job this year, I’d agree completely with his assessment.  However, with rookie signal caller Teddy Bridgewater breathing down Cassel’s neck, it could be a bigger competition than many experts think.

There is also the issue of the defense.  The Vikings brought in a strong rotation of pass rushers and improved the secondary by swapping out Chris Cook for Captain Munnerlyn.  While the linebackers can still be considered a weakness, fans can be hopeful that the more aggressive defensive system will help them be more effective players.

Do the Minnesota Vikings playoff chances rest solely on the Matt Cassel’s shoulders?  Does Cassel even have the ability to make a 3-13 caliber team into a playoff contender?  Those are some of the questions I have after reading the author’s evaluation of the Vikings chances this year.

What do you think?  Discuss it in the comments!