The Minnesota Vikings had the worst ground game in the NFL last season and they released their career rushing leader and future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson after 10 years and nearly 12,000 yards. Peterson was limited to just three games last season, which was part of the problem. There were others for the offensively-challenged Vikings, who had to replace their starting quarterback days before the season started. The team overhauled its offense with hopes that more production, along with a stout defense, can get them back to the top of the NFC North.
Minnesota Vikings Futures Odds at BookMaker.eu
Vikings Over 8.5 Wins -112
Vikings Under 8.5 Wins -108
2017 Minnesota Vikings Offense Preview
The Vikings got very little from its offense last season in part because Teddy Bridgewater sustained a gruesome leg injury a week before the season began. In search of a starter, the Vikes obtained Sam Bradford from Philly to be the No. 1 guy. Bradford didn’t have the benefit of a healthy Peterson running the ball and the group struggled all year.
Peterson played in just three games totaling 72 yards before injuries ended his season. There was no capable backup and the Vikings averaged a league-low 75.3 yards on the ground. Many of the offensive failures were blamed on Bradford, but, all things considered, he actually had a decent season.
Bradford completed an NFL record 71.6 percent of his passes, doing so with a broken down offensive line and a coordinator change midway through the season. The run game is bolstered by Latavius Murray and rookie Dalvin Cook and the additions of Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers on the line. The Vikings lacked big play capabilities last year and they placed 28th in total offense. The new additions should change that.
2017 Minnesota Vikings Defense Preview
Mike Zimmer is a defensive coach and he’s always had strong groups in his tenure with the Vikings. They were dominant at times last season, particularly early when they were scoring touchdowns and creating turnovers at a record rate, helping the team to a 5-0 start. But things settled down after that, and while the group remained stout, the big plays dried up and the offense couldn’t bail them out.
The front seven is the strength of the unit. Ends Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter are two of most athletic pass rushers while Linval Joseph takes up space in the middle to stuff between-tackles runners. Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks have All-Pro ability at linebacker. There really are no glaring weaknesses on defense. They ranked third in total yards allowed and sixth in points allowed per game last season, and the group returns virtually intact. There could be depth issues on the back end and cornerback Trae Waynes exited the first preseason game with a shoulder injury.
2017 Minnesota Vikings Schedule Analysis
The Vikings need to take advantage of an early season schedule that has them playing three of their first four and five of their first seven games at home. They have matchups with Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and division rival Green Bay in that span and they should be favored in the others. Getting off to a 5-2 start would set the Vikings up well for reaching the over on their win total.
The back end of the slate is loaded with road games, but outside of contests with Atlanta and Green Bay, the others are winnable. A mid-season stretch has them playing Cleveland, Washington and Detroit on the road with a home tilt against the Rams. The schedule is favorable and the season-ending matchup with Chicago could determine whether they Vikings go over the projected win total of 8.5.
The Final Verdict
A bunch of money was thrown around this offseason to upgrade the offense, which desperately needed it. Bradford had a sensational season in 2016 after joining the club a week before the opener, but the line was a mess and the running game non-existent. Both of those areas seemingly got fixed through free agency and the draft, and an improved offense will help out a tremendous defense.
Remember the Vikings started last season 5-0 and were the last unbeaten team in the league. The defense won a few games and did enough for a better record. The offense produced more than 20 points just once in eight losses and never helped out. That should change this year and the schedule has a few breaks on it, which should produce at least one more victory than last season.
NFL Odds: Minnesota Vikings Over 8.5 Wins
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