Final 2018 Record: 10-6
Before the opening bell rings on the 2018 season, we need to get it in our heads that the 2017 season is behind us. There were so many feel-good moments and so many plays that went in the favor of the Vikings.
It was something that never happens to Minnesota, which makes it seem like this year could be a trip back to reality.
In the previous two seasons where the Vikings were on the cusp of a Super Bowl, the following season was a disappointment.
The 1999 Vikings followed up Gary Anderson’s missed field goal by going 10-6 and winning a playoff game. But Minnesota was obliterated by “The Greatest Show on Turf” in the divisional round and never found the magic that was there in 1998.
The 2010 Vikings followed up the 12 men in the huddle/Bounty-gate game by having the roof cave in on themselves (literally) and finishing with a 6-10 record.
Minnesota Vikings
The 2000 Vikings are not included in this group because they were never close to going to the Super Bowl in that season’s NFC Championship.
So what about this year? While the Vikings won’t sink to the depths of the 2010 season, they will get off to a slower start than people expect.
The San Francisco 49ers are a sneaky team and the Green Bay Packers on the road are a tougher test with a healthy Aaron Rodgers. Minnesota gets a reprieve against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, but then the Vikings have to go on the road to face Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles.
If Minnesota doesn’t have their ducks (or grey ducks) in a row, they could be staring at a 1-4 start.
That being said, this team is too good to have things snowball on them. Win a swing game (such as the San Francisco or Los Angeles matchup) and you’re looking at a 2-3 or 3-2 team before the schedule lightens up.
In the end, I’m going to go with what I thought this team would do last year and go 10-6. If that’s good enough for a playoff berth in the loaded NFC this season, then things will have to go from there.
– Chris Schad