2011 NFL previews: Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2010 NFL season with a 6-10 record and it really looks like this team could take a big step back form that in 2011. I think this is a team that is seeing their championship window close, and that a massive rebuilding effort is set to begin. The defense is still pretty good, and will be more aggressive than it has been in past seasons. However, the offense does not look all that great, but has some potential.
The big changes of course are at QB. Brett Favre is out, and Donovan McNabb is in. The really problem as I see it is along the offensive line, and a shaky O line combined with an aging QB is not recipe for success. We saw that last year with this team, and I think that trend will continue. Adrian Peterson will have an expanded role in the offense, and there is a new scheme in play, but offense certainly looks to be an issue.
On defense Pat Williams is out, replaced by Remi Ayodele. The front four still looks good, but they are aging. The LB corps looks a little shaky as MLB EJ Henderson is coming back from a broken femur. Chad Greenway looks pretty good, but the other spot is yet to be determined. In the secondary, the lack of depth and playmakers is still a great concern. If the front seven falters it looks like teams will be bale to take advantage of this weaker unit.
The schedule is tough. They begin out west versus San Diego, then Tampa Bay and Detroit at home. Those are all games the Vikes could lose. The next five games before the week nine bye sport at least two winnable games. In weeks 10 and 12 they are at Green Bay and at Atlanta respectively. Those will be a big test, and the rest of the schedule does not get much easier. I see four games they should win, and maybe two more they could win. However, they feel like a 5 win team right now.
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