Minnesota Vikings 2009 NFL Projection:
Like last year, the Vikings come into the new season with the top run defense in the league
thanks to Pat and Kevin Williams. And of course they possess one of the game’s top rushing games too,
thanks
to LG Steve Hutchinson and LT Bryant McKinnie paving the way for Adrian Peterson and
Chester Taylor…
However, the Vikings will have to overcome the loss of center Matt Birk, signed away
by the Ravens.
It’s no secret the Vikings are a playoff caliber team… One that’s been missing one key ingredient above all,
a starting quarterback whom opposing defenses have to game plan for.
We had been calling for the Vikings to make such a move for a couple of years now, writing about Drew Bledsoe
several years ago. But he turned down several team, content in retirement.
Welcome the aged Brett Favre, a player who’s not content in retirement.
Favre has the ability to keep defenses on their heels. He can hit Berrian deep. He can throw laser strikes to TE
Visanthe Shiancoe. There’s no doubt opposing defenses will be forced to respect the passing
game of the Vikings more so than in recent years.
However, it will be interesting to see how Favre plays indoors. He has a reputation
of struggling in domes during his career.
Can the Vikings win the NFC North again this season?
They certainly have the talent. But they will face stiffer competition than a season ago.
For starters, Chicago upgraded their offense with the addition of Jay Cutler. And Green
Bay’s defense looks to be much better year over year under new coordinator
Dom Capers who’s installed the 3-4.
Even Detroit looks stronger on paper, especially at linebacker and quarterback.
2009 may come down to intangibles such as injuries. the season may also come down to coaching decisions.
When I see the Vikings line up their new quarterback at receiver to run a gimmick play out
of the wildcat formation featuring Percy Harvin, I get worried about Brad Childress and his staff.
The wildcat is a formation
best suited for teams struggling to run out of conventional sets.
Are the Vikings such a team?
No.
While the (1-15) Dolphins needed something to shake things up,
the Minnesota Vikings don’t need anything to help them win other than to stay healthy…
Sure if it’s the 4th quarter of the NFC championship game, and the only way the Vikings can
emerge with a win is to run such a play. Fine, take the risk… But in week 3 of preseason?
C’mon.
Schedule Analysis:
In a stocked NFC this season, the Vikings play against one of the easier schedules
including the following contests;
Of course their four games versus division rivals
Green Bay
and
Chicago
are no picnic on paper.
Not to mention clashes with
Baltimore,
@Pittsburgh,
@Carolina
and
NY Giants.
Record Projection:
The Vikings look to tie it all together in 2009, as they finally addressed
their team’s greatest weakness (quarterback– if only for one season).
The Vikings face stiff competition in their division. But the Vikings
are also stiff competition for their competitors.
As long as the Vikes stay healthy, don’t make too many coaching blunders, and
Favre can handle the indoor play,
Minnesota looks good for a (12-4) season in 2009, a slight upgrade to our opening preseason
outlook based on opposing team weakness.
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Free 2009 NFL Predictions Note:
Remember these now archived 2009 NFL forecasts were made
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