The Vikings apparently have the right head coach in Mike Zimmer to lead them to the next level. Zimmer won seven games in his first year at the helm in 2014 and followed that up with an 11-5 campaign and NFC North title in 2015.
Minnesota has a ferocious defense and running back Adrian Peterson to carry the load, but the Vikes need quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to do more. Teddy proved he belongs as an NFL starter, successfully guiding the run-based offense to an unexpected division title. Even so, Bridgewater has to do more going forward.
Minnesota Vikings Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Vikings Over 9.5 Wins -123
Vikings Under 9.5 Wins +103
Minnesota was one of 2015’s biggest success stories, rising up form consecutive losing seasons to capture its first NFC North title since 2009. Zimmer crafted an impressive defense, one strong enough to compensate for an offense that struggled at times to put up points or challenge defenses down the field.
The defense can hold its own with anybody in the NFL, but there are a lot of questions about Bridgewater’s ceiling. At 31, Peterson is coming off one of his most impressive seasons given the inconsistent offensive line and the lack of a deep passing game.
Still, there are signs AD is trending in the wrong direction. There were some long runs and huge games to boost his numbers and there’s a lot of mileage on those rippled legs. In the up-and-down world that is the NFL, the Vikings might be candidates to regress.
2016 Minnesota Vikings Schedule
Week 1: at Tennessee Titans +3
Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers PK
Week 3: at Carolina Panthers -5.5
Week 4: vs. New York Giants +6
Week 5: vs. Houston Texans +6
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: at Philadelphia Eagles +1.5
Week 8: at Chicago Bears +2.5
Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions +6.5
Week 10: at Washington Redskins +1.5
Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals +1.5
Week 12: at Detroit Lions +2.5
Week 13: vs. Dallas Cowboys +4.5
Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars +2.5
Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts +4
Week 16: at Green Bay Packers -4.5
Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears
Repeating as NFC North champs will be difficult. Green Bay is healthier and it’s unlikely the Lions open 1-7 again. Chicago will be one of the most improved teams, too. That’s why the NFC-heavy stretch in the middle of the schedule is so critical. Every win will matter, and the tougher schedule will keep those wins more elusive than last year. The difference between going 8-8 or a repeat 11-5 is Bridgewater.
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With a top-five scoring defense on the rise and Peterson still playing like the best back in the NFL, the Vikings need their 23-year-old quarterback to take the next step to elevate the league’s 29th-ranked offense and make the Vikings a serious Super Bowl contender for the first time since 2009.
Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman have expressed the need for the conservative Bridgewater to trust himself and “let it loose” in his third year. To assist Bridgewater, the team’s top decision makers upgraded the two most important areas around him: pass protection and receiver.
The receiver came via the draft when Ole Miss’ Laquon Treadwell was taken 23rd overall. By that time, the line already had been addressed via free agency and a coaching change. The prized signings were left guard Alex Boone and right tackle Andre Smith.
At worst the Vikings are an eight-win club. They have the coaching, talent and depth to be much better, and they expect to improve on last year’s ledger.
The defensive schemes and infusion of elite defenders at all three levels gives them a chance to stand toe to toe with any team. The offense should be better with an upgraded line, a new big target at receiver and the maturation of a smart young quarterback with an outstanding work ethic.
NFL Odds: Minnesota Vikings Over 9.5 Wins
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