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Vikes picked to win the Super Bowl?
By Viking Visionary | June 20, 2008
Wow. The big off-season for the Minnesota Vikings was sure to lead to some increased publicity, but just as obvious was the inevitable criticism of Tarvaris Jackson and talk about how he will hold the team back. Well, one fairly well-respected sports writer came out today with the Vikings as his pick to win the super bowl. Dr. Z wrote about the Vikings as if they are primed to be the next feel-good story in the NFL, the next golden team, the next Patriots…but without all the cheating. And not only did he defy the popular trend of bashing T-Jack, Dr. Z seems to think that the Childress-Jackson combo will actually be a strength this year! I’m not sure what to think of this yet, but I am curious to get your reactions.
Topics: Purple Predictions, Vikings |
June 20th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I have mixed feelings about this. I don’t believe that anyone is able to “jinx” the Vikings with this kind of prediction, but I do remember nodding in agreement while reading Peter King’s article a couple years ago. 7 weeks in, Minnesota was 2-5 and Culpepper tore his knee to shreds. (It was also the offseason we got rid of Moss, wasted all of the trade, and had a terrible draft) So while I want to agree with Zimmerman on this article, I’m worried my homer-ism is blinding me the the awful truth of a 7-8-9 win season for the Purple.
It made me wince when he said things like “run and stop the run” (because we’ve had that for a couple years and still missed the playoffs) and “storybook angle” (Because what a stupid justification. A whole lot of people bought into the magical story of the Redskins last year until they deservedly got their butts handed to them in the post-season.).
If Jared Allen plays very well (say, 18 sacks) I think the secondary will perform better, the defense will get off the field and stay fresh deeper into games, and improve the field position battle. This could, in turn, help the special teams set up shorter fields for the offense, which, along with Jackson’s continued development and the acquisition of Berrian, improve the passing game enough to loosen up defenses, which could help Peterson-Taylor find more consistent succes. (whew!) I say consisten because both RBs had amazing games last year, but there also so horrendous games for rushing yards. They’ve got to avoid that.
Anyhow, if that all does happen, then I see the Vikings AT LEAST getting to the divisional round, if not the conference championship. Seeding could help, so let’s hope for 12 wins!
June 21st, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Great, in-depth response, Peter. I share your hesitant optimism and reluctance to buy into the hype, not because I don’t think the Vikings can live up to it, but more because it feels safer to come into the season with underdog-type expectations than it does to be touted as likely Super Bowl winners.
The more I think about it, the Vikings are the kind of team Dr. Z likes to pick - a solid dark-horse team on the rise. He never goes with the perennial favorites. Therefore, more than anything, this is another loud trumpet blaring, announcing to the rest of the league that the Vikings should be arriving to the upper-echelon of the NFL, this season. I hope that they reach 11 or 12 games as well.
June 21st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I can’t see the Vikings being a Super Bowl favorite just yet. Will their time come? It should, but not this year. They have an excellent chance of winning the division this year and getting a chance to experience the post season. Jackson has been under the criticism as of late, but isn’t he getting coached by the same dude that coached up McNabb back in Phili? I think so. As a Dolphins fan, and favorite of the dark horse, I am pulling for the Vikings this year. Looking at their schedule, as long as they split with Green Bay and win 2-0 against the Bears and Lions, they should make a 10 win season. NYG and Arizona are going to be tuff games down the stretch of last 3 games, but at least they get Atlanta in between the other two. Get some. http://PigskinSpin.com
June 21st, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I don’t know why everyone hates Tavaris.Personally I think he’s just now getting developed and he will be great very soon.With that being said, A. Peterson is unbelievable and he is already a shining star.Vikes D is pretty tough and they cause turnovers .I would think they make the playoffs very easily this year.