Minnesota Vikings Need to Improve Against NFC North

There are plenty of things that contribute to a team’s success over the course of an NFL season. Great play from key positions, limited injuries, schedule strength can be a factor, and winning key match-ups.

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Fans of all sports love watching the underdog win. For players on the underdog sideline, I would imagine that is an easy motivator. Go in with the ‘beat the best’ or ‘nothing to lose’ mentality. I think the toughest match-ups for teams are the games they are ‘supposed’ to win. In a David and Goliath type matchup, Goliath seemingly has nothing to gain, if the favorite wins, congratulations, they did what they were supposed to do. If they lose, it’s the end of an era, time to blow it up and rebuild.

Games that are absolutely the most important throughout a season, especially the 16 game NFL season, are divisional games. And truthfully, the Minnesota Vikings need to play better than they have against their NFC North foes.

Last year they went 1-5 against the NFC North. A couple of the six divisional match-ups last year were heartbreaking losses, and games they probably should have won. One of the things they struggled with most was turnover differential. A lot of NFL minds will say that the turnover battle is one of the strongest contributors to the eventual outcome of a game. It can act as a barometer as to how a half, game or season is going. In divisional match-ups, the Minnesota Vikings turnover differential was minus eight. That’s not good.

Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) encourages his teammates as they play the New York Jets in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The good news is, I believe they will have a much stronger year against the NFC North in 2015. Defensive improvements have been made, especially in the secondary. The pass rush and run defense will be the anchor of this defense again but the improvements made in the defensive backfield are not going unnoticed.

With a defense that is all around more stout, a more experienced Teddy Bridgewater at the helm, and a better supporting cast on offense the Minnesota Vikings will undoubtedly improve on that 1-5 record last year.

Regardless of other match-ups throughout the year, the divisional games have to be most important. If the Minnesota Vikings can split the match-ups with the Packers, and even go 3-1 against the Bears and Lions collectively, that will be an enormous step in the right direction for this squad with a ton of potential and excitement surrounding them.

The next question will be, if they can go 4-2 in the division or better this season, what will their overall record be? Can they contend for the division?

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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