- LIFELONG Vikings fan
QB - After giving away 2-3 quality guys to pay for one not quite as good, it's the critical year for former Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins to somehow prove me wrong, and look like he's worth $75,000,000. His numbers will be good because of his receivers (below), but in critical situations, he flat out stinks.
WR/TE - Maybe one of the top tandems in the NFL in former Walk-on turned Pro Bowler Adam Thielen & Stefon Diggs as his "#2" who is a #1 class receiver. Kyle Rudolph at TE keeps the defenses from being able to double-team anyone consistently. Expect Cousins to keep his pedestrian reputation higher than it should be because he's throwing to these guys.
RB - The offense will come down to this: With an improved O-line, can a RB stay healthy (hello Dalvin Cook and former Husker Ameer Abdullah) long enough to make a run and win 9-10 games this year? Behind them are simply question marks.
DEFENSE - A dominant #1 defense from 2 years ago looks like it will bring back that attacking style that put them in position to win any game. The LB's are healthy again. The cornerbacks are dynamite, and defensive line is stout. Depth could be a problem in the middle, but assuming normal attrition / injuries, this is a Top 5 unit in the NFL once again.
OVERALL: I think this team could actually win a Superbowl with a true top tier QB (instead of one just paid like he is one). However, with Captain Kirk running this ship, problems are bound to occur. I expect road losses to come in bunches in the division, and one or two mishaps against the rest of the league to put these guys into a 2nd place (perhaps wildcard) slot. Then bounced in the first round if they're (un)fortunate enough to make the playoffs.
Until Minnesota gets an Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, or at least Russell Wilson type QB...they don't have a real chance to do anything other than do what they always do - lose when it matters.
