NFC North Season Preview- Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings

Record- 3-13

Coach-Leslie Frazier- 6-16

All-Time Record– Vikings lead 52-48-2 (Bears 1-0 in playoffs)

Key Subtractions-CB Cedric Griffin, LB E.J. Henderson, T Steve Hutchinson, S Tyrell Johnson, QB Donovan McNabb, TE Visanthe Shiancoe

Key Additions-TE John Carlson,  Wr Jerome Simpson OT Matt Kalil

2012 Meetings– 11/25 At Chicago  12/9 At Minnesota

Strength Of Schedule-18

Fantasy Impact- Adrian Peterson-1-2 round

Vikings offense

The Vikings offense started with Donovan McNabb and ended with heir apparant in Christian Ponder behind center.  Ponder showed some flashes during his tenure as QB1, but the biggest factor in how the Vikings offense will be in 2012 is how and when Adrian Peterson returns to full strength.  Peterson is a workhorse that creates havok for defenses.   The only other offensive firepower on the offense is Percy Harvin who in Peterson’s abscense down the stretch put up some very good numbers.  To give them help the Vikings signed Jerome Simpson who will not get on the field until after his suspension.   It’s hard to imagine that the Vikings were only a play away from the Super Bowl against the Bounty led Saints, and now they are at the drawing board with a few good pieces.

Defense

The Vikings have one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Jared Allen, and that is where the Vikings defense ended.  They had one of the worst defensive secondaries in the entire NFL which was exploited by the rest of the NFC North routinely.  The Vikings strength during their good years with Farve was their defensive front and linebackers, but like the offense the Vikings are back at the starting point with one superstar player.

Outlook-

Christian Ponder will be better than he was last season,  and the offense with Simpson should be more than just the AP or Percy show.  Kyle Rudolph could be ready to make a huge leap into the offense.  The defense will struggle especially with the pass happy Packers, Lions, and new Bears offense.

Prediction Sure to go Wrong

The Vikings are at a low point which will most likely cost Leslie Frazier his job at the end of 2012.  The Vikings will show improvement but will not be able to defend the pass which will give them a 4-12 season.  The good news for everyone in the NFL is that this will lead to very few moments of hearing the annoying Vikings horn this year.