The Vikings finished 7-9 last season, good for third in the NFC North. They achieved this without Adrian Peterson and a lackluster offense that finished 27th in the league. Despite this horrible ranking, the purple and gold boasted a Top 15 rush attack, as well as the Pepsi Rookie of the Year Quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. Needless to say, the outlook is positive. Adrian is back, Cordarelle Patterson had another year under his belt, and the offensive line is at full health, something that never happened in 2014.
On the defensive side: look out. Head coach Mike Zimmer, a defensive-minded field general who emphasizes a solid duo of cornerbacks and outstanding play by versatile linebackers, runs the team. The Vikings look to have this in place. Xavier Rhodes was one of the best young corners in the league, and now he has a running mate with first round pick Trae Waynes. The secondary skill doesn’t end there. Harrison Smith, the underrated ball hawk, has quickly become a top-five safety in the entire league and is helped by the tackling machine, Robert Blanton. The front seven was fierce in 2014 as well, ranking 9th in total sacks. This defense can’t be overlooked.
So with that, lets take a look at each game, and ultimately the Vikings’ 2015 season outlook.
Week 1: At San Francisco 49ers
It’s never good to open up the season on the road, but the Vikings have done this for the past four years. At least this year we get a Monday night bout, and with San Francisco in a rebuild--not rebuild purgatory, I think the Vikings can take this one. Colin Kaepernick won't be able to carve up this secondary.
Vikings win: 24-14
Week 2: Detroit Lions
The home opener will prove to be a tough one with Detroit coming off a playoff appearance. I predict this one will come down to the wire. The Lions handled the Vikings in TCF last season off the strength of their defensive line and the Vikings' woes along their hapless offensive line. The tables turn this year with Detroit losing both of their stud defensive tackles. Matt Kalil gets his revenge.
Vikings win: 21-20
Week 3: San Diego Chargers
I think the Chargers will come into this game 1-1 and will be reeling to figure out their offensive identity. Antonio Gates will still be on suspension, so it will be up to the lackluster receiving core to pick up his slack. Against the Vikings’ secondary, and at home, I just don’t see it. Call me a homer.
Vikings win: 31-17
Week 4: At Denver Broncos
Right away, everyone will write off the purple and gold at mile high. I think Teddy makes this one a game, doing his best to show something in front of Manning himself. However, the Vikings don’t yet have the skill to match up with this Denver team, especially on the road.
Vikings lose: 45-28
Week 5: Bye
Early bye weeks are never good. But, with the Vikings coming off a lose, it will be a much needed recovery period.
Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs
This one is tough. These two teams match up very evenly, as they both have two QBs that are in the top 15 in the league, but don’t excel at putting up big numbers; two outstanding running games; two mediocre receiving cores; two stout defensive fronts. I think the Vikings have the better secondary, but I think the real difference maker here is the bye week. The Vikings will be well rested. The Chiefs will still be beat from physical matches with Chicago, Cincinnati, and Green Bay.
Vikings Win: 17-13
Week 7: At Detroit Lions
I can’t see the Vikings sweeping Detroit this year. Not yet. Stafford still has a big arm, and their defense is still rock solid. At home, Detroit gets the extra push to take over this one. The Vikings trouble within the division continues.
Vikings lose: 30-14
Week 8: At Chicago Bears
Do the Vikings end their losing streak in Soldier field? Nope, not this year. The Bears always game plan our offense extremely well. Even if Cutler is still a bottom 10 QB in the league, I can’t see this one ending well for the Vikes.
Vikings lose: 38-31
Week 9: St. Louis Rams
The Vikings have owned this team in brutal fashion the last few seasons. At home, this beat down streak continues. I think Foles gets sacked six times, and Bridgewater carves up a mediocre secondary.
Vikings Win: 35-16
Week 10: At Oakland Raiders
The thin part of the schedule continues, with two sophomore QBs squaring off in Oakland. The Raiders last-place offense will have its hands full with the secondary shutting down Carr, and the front seven stopping the Raiders horrid rush attack. On the road, I like the Vikings.
Vikings win: 21-6
Week 11: Green Bay Packers
Nobody is going to believe this prediction; but yes, I think the Vikings take one from the Pack. They typically play one down-to-the-wire game with gang green each year and then get swept in the other. I think the Vikings will take one at home this year. Zimmer has game planned for Rodgers extremely well in the past (Bridgewater out-performed A-Rod when they met last year). I think Zimmer gets a defining win here, and the momentum continues. However, Green Bay makes this one extremely challenging.
Vikings win: 28-24
Week 12: At Atlanta Falcons
Historically, this match-up never goes well. I think with an improved defense, the Vikings' winning bubble bursts. The Falcons have the better QB, the better passing game, and a new look. At home, the Falcons take this.
Vikings lose: 35-21
Week 13: Seattle Seahawks
Nope. The Vikings aren’t there yet. It’s going to take some seasoning for this young team to get to this level of competition. The LoB handle Teddy.
Vikings lose: 24-7
Week 14: At Arizona Cardinals
This is another tough call. The Thursday night match will come down to how healthy each team is. I think with Carson Palmer, the Cards take care of business. Without him, it’s anyone’s guess. I think Carson is there Thursday night in Arizona.
Vikings lose: 21-16
Week 15: Chicago Bears
While the Vikings can't ever figure it out at Chicago, we have handled the Bears at home in years past. The Vikings roster is top to bottom better as well. I believe the Bears will be bottom feeders by this point, and the Vikings take the win.
Vikings win: 24-6
Week 16: New York Giants
I have a tough time with this one, because I predicted the Giants to take their division this year. I think the Giants go into the playoffs hot, but historically they don’t win in Minnesota. The secondary for New York will be just good enough to deal with Bridgewater, but Adrian can taste the playoffs at this point.
Vikings win: 24-23
Week 17: At Green Bay Packers
The Vikings need to take this one to secure the playoffs, coming in 9-6. But I don’t see it. Not yet. At this point in the year, the team will have injuries galore, and their depth doesn’t match up with Green Bay, at least offensively. While I think we give it our all, and we come close to clawing our way to the playoffs, we are one year away from winning in Green Bay.
Vikings lose: 42-35
Prediction: 9-7
I keep coming up with this record, switching around predictions based on schedule strengths, and a few different outcomes. This sounds about right to me too. 9-7 may get the team to the playoffs, but it’s no sure thing. I think we’ll have a wildcard team from the NFC North, but whether that’s Minnesota or Detroit, I’m not quite sure. The other wild card will be the Cowboys. If Detroit stumbles down the stretch, like they frequently do, I think the Vikings could take the sixth seed in the playoffs. It will be a building-block year regardless.
