1. Minnesota Vikings 12-4
The Minnesota Vikings are out to prove that last season’s division-winning 11-5 record was no fluke and they have the talent to do just that. On offense, Teddy Bridgewater is learning to be, at a minimum, a very good game manager. He has also shown the knack to make the right play at the right time and could develop into a solid signal caller. Adrian Peterson is always a threat running the ball and the Vikings are starting to develop some weapons for Bridgewater with Kyle Rudolph, Stefon Diggs, and now rookie Laquon Treadwell.
This team’s real strength is on defense. The Vikings defense was top 5 in 2015 in least points allowed at 18.9 and should improve upon that in 2016. They have several young, talented players at multiple positions and head coach Mike Zimmer is a very good defensive mind that will keep this defense on track to becoming one of the best (if not the best) units in 2016. The Vikings will finish the year 12-4, winning the division and competing with the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals for home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.