Minnesota started out hot in 2016 but the offense wasn’t good enough to keep it sustained. The team finished in third place in the division and didn’t make it to the postseason with an 8-8 finish. Much this year will depend on quarterback Sam Bradford and the passing game. He was thrown into a tough situation a year ago when the Vikings lost signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater to a gruesome knee injury and needed a replacement.
Bradford was average but couldn’t get his team over the hump and hopes more comfort in the offense will lead to success in 2017. Minnesota is not among the teams expected to compete for the NFC title, but an uptick in offensive performance could have the Vikings surpass those projections.
NFC Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Seahawks +444
Green Bay Packers +460
Atlanta Falcons +472
Dallas Cowboys +620
New York Giants +888
Carolina Panthers +1350
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1650
Philadelphia Eagles +1700
Minnesota Vikings +1800
Arizona Cardinals +1853
New Orleans Saints +2405
Detroit Lions +2900
Washington Redskins +3000
Chicago Bears +7500
Los Angeles Rams +8000
San Francisco 49ers +8500
Key Players for Winning the NFC
Sam Bradford – Despite being traded to the Vikings just eight days before the team’s season opener last year, Bradford helped Minnesota to a 5-0 start. He was decent all season long, even as his offense endured injury after injury. Bradford ended his first year in Minnesota with 3,877 passing yards and set a single-season NFL record with a 71.6 passing percentage, but didn’t make the big-time downfield throws when they were necessary. There were a lot of factors working against the Minnesota offense last year, including the lack of a running game and big problems on the offensive line. Bradford has never lived up to the billing of a former No. 1 overall pick but perhaps he will finally change that.
Harrison Smith -- The Vikings safety is one of the best in the game. He made the Pro Bowl a season ago after finishing with 81 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Smith is 28 years old and in the prime of his career, and should put together another impressive season. Minnesota has to dominate on defense if it has a chance to win the conference and make it to the Super Bowl. Smith will be a big part of that.
Stefon Diggs -- The talented wide receiver took a big step forward in 2016, finishing with 84 catches for 903 yards and three touchdowns in only 13 games. He should definitely go over the 1,000-yard mark this year as long as Diggs can stay healthy. The Vikings have some other weapons in the passing game, but Diggs has a nice rapport with Bradford and will be an integral piece.
Danielle Hunter -- The Vikings have an elite pass-rusher in Everson Griffen, but if Hunter can duplicate his 2016 season, opposing quarterbacks are not going to have much fun this year. The 22-year-old defensive end burst onto the scene with 12.5 sacks in his second season. Hunter wasn’t a super high draft pick, but other teams are certainly regretting on passing him now. Hunter shows impressive moves and will aim for double-digit sacks once again.
Dalvin Cook -- The Vikings will rely a lot on their talented rookie running back. It’s not always a smooth transition from college to the NFL, but the former Florida State star hopes to give the team a jolt right away. Minnesota didn’t get much of anything from the ground game a year ago, and it’s essential that improves if this team wants to make a Super Bowl push.
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