The writers of The Viking Age got together and came up with how they think the upcoming season will turn out for the Minnesota Vikings.
This is definitely a season of redemption for the Minnesota Vikings. After a disappointing turn of events in 2016, the Vikings will be out to prove this year that they are a much better team than they were a season ago.
Things will look a little different when Minnesota takes the field on offense for the first time against the New Orleans Saints next Monday night. For the first time since 2006, Adrian Peterson and his beady eyes will not be in the Vikings’ offensive backfield for Week 1.
Minnesota was certainly not happy with the way they played last year and they went out this past offseason and made a few moves to improve their chances for 2017.
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The Vikings rushing attack should be much improved with the additions of rookie Dalvin Cook and free-agent Latavius Murray to their running back group. Minnesota’s blocking should also be better than it was in 2016 (hopefully) with the free-agent signings of two new starting offensive tackles in Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers and the drafting of center Pat Elflein.
For 2017, the Vikings and head coach Mike Zimmer will be doing their best to get back to how they performed in 2015. That season ended with the team in the playoffs and Minnesota will be hoping for something similar this year.
Maybe even an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl in their very own home stadium?
Adam Carlson:
Final Record: 10-6
Like last season, Minnesota will open the season with a hot start, beating teams such as the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers early on. However, struggles will set in as the season goes on, losing three times in the division and experiencing a crushing loss to the Washington Redskins in a game the team should have won.
Sadly, with how competitive the NFC is as a whole, the Vikings will miss the playoffs once again, with the Green Bay Packers winning the division and the wild card spots going to the New York Giants and the Buccaneers at 11-5 each.
Offensive MVP: Kyle Rudolph, TE
While quarterback Sam Bradford will have a solid season with both wide receivers, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen flirting with 1,000 yards, the real star of the season will be tight end Kyle Rudolph. He will lead all Vikings in receiving touchdowns and cement his place among the most dangerous tight ends in the NFL.
Defensive MVP: Everson Griffen, DE
Expect the Vikings’ pass-rush to look a little more dynamic this year. With Danielle Hunter earning a starting defensive end role and Brian Robison rotating in, this opens up the door for Griffen to put together one of his best seasons as a pro in 2017, ending the season with double digit sacks and four or more forced fumbles or fumble recoveries.
Adam Patrick:
Final Record: 12-4
For 2017, the Vikings will be experiencing the season they should have had in 2016. The combination of a dominant rushing attack to go with a top defense will be one that most of their opponents will struggle to handle. Minnesota will capture the NFC North title but their time in the playoffs will unfortunately be cut short before they are able to become the first team ever to play in the Super Bowl in their home stadium.
Offensive MVP: Dalvin Cook, RB
The 2017 NFL season is going to feature an influx of talented rookie running backs and Cook will be among the best. Envisioning him having a season where he finishes with over 1,700 total yards, 40 catches, and seven touchdowns does not seem to far fetched considering the amount of unique talent Cook possesses.
Defensive MVP: Eric Kendricks, LB
Kendricks has been on the rise as an integral part of the Vikings’ defense for the past two seasons. This year, the young linebacker will not only establish himself as one of the best defenders on Minnesota’s roster, but as one of the best in the entire NFL as well.
Dominique Clare:
Final Record: 10-6
Last season the Vikings finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. As disappointing as that is, they were only a couple plays away from being 10-6. Both losses to the Detroit Lions could of went their way and people would be looking at last year in a completely different light. This year with an improved offensive line they will be looking at the right side of .500.
Offensive MVP: Sam Bradford, QB
The expectations for Sam Bradford are very high in year two. After setting a completion record in 2016 it is time for him to open up the field. If the offensive line can stay healthy, Bradford will be able to be a top-10 quarterback and the Vikings might actually be able to move the ball on offense.
Defensive MVP: Harrison Smith, FS
With Chad Greenway retiring, the Minnesota Vikings are looking elsewhere for leadership on the defense. The new leader of that defense is Harrison Smith. He is the most complete player on that defense and one of the best safeties in the NFL. He is a game changer and this year will be no different.
Jordan Ison:
Final Record: 9-7
The Minnesota Vikings went out and spent a lot of money on their offensive line, though I don’t believe it’ll help much. They will struggle to protect Bradford and allow running room for rookie Dalvin Cook. Short passes will rule the offense once again in 2017.
Also similar to 2016, the defense will help the Vikings pull some wins out by forcing many turnovers on opposing offenses. This year, though, the Vikings will squeak into the playoffs in a wild card spot after a Week 17 victory over the Bears.
Offensive MVP: Stefon Diggs, WR
Diggs will surpass 1,000 receiving yards and continue his climb into stardom. Despite the inability to go deep on passes, Diggs will use his speed and quickness to elude defenders after the catch.
Defensive MVP: Danielle Hunter, DE
Hunter made a huge splash into the NFL in 2016, despite coming off the bench. He has secured a starting role in 2017, and will take full advantage of it. Expect at least eight sacks for the young defensive end, plus a couple of forced fumbles.
Josh Clarke:
Final Record: 11-5
In 2017, the Vikings will push the Packers all the way for the divisional title but will end up settling for a wild card spot due their worse head-to-head record. Minnesota will have an indifferent start, splitting their first six games after a loss in Green Bay in mid-October.
The loss will spur the Vikings on during a five-game win streak, which will finally be broken by losing to the Atlanta Falcons, their offensive firepower being too much for Minnesota to overcome. Heading into their last four games with an 8-4 record, a return to the playoffs will be secured by three wins in the final four games clinching their place in the tournament and keeping dreams of a home Super Bowl alive.
Offensive MVPs: The Offensive Line
For my record prediction to come to pass, the offensive line will have to perform at a much higher level than it did in 2016. Fortunately with the additions of Riley Reiff, Pat Elflein and Mike Remmers, the make-up of that unit looks considerably different to last year’s edition and will be greatly improved in both pass protection and run blocking.
By the end of the season the revamped group won’t be regarded as one of the best in the league but they will have made a huge contribution to the Vikings’ much improved offensive performance.
Defensive MVP: Xavier Rhodes
In 2017, Rhodes will justify his expensive new contract and establish himself as an elite lockdown cornerback. The Vikings’ schedule only features a handful of elite wide receivers and after facing (and containing) Mike Evans in Week 3, Rhodes won’t be challenged until he lines up across from Julio Jones in Week 13.
During those 10 weeks Rhodes will force opposing quarterbacks to focus on the other side of the field and punish them when they chose to test him.
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Rhodes won’t be able to perform at his usual high standard against Jones. But by then he will have matched his career-high interception total and over the final four games, will play a large part in helping the Vikings return to the playoffs.