I stand by my prediction of 9-13 wins. On paper the offense added playmaking talent and is healthier (so far) than it was last year.
On ST I suspect we might see Blair Walsh regress some, as least year was epic. Also, no guarrantee that CP = PH. This might be slightly worse than 2012.
Defense could be better, worse, or a push. All comes down to CB. I suspect DL will be better, LB a push, S better, CB ?.
Schedule is harder, but PIT and BAL are not what they once were, I think both of those games are eminently winnable. Starting with 2 road division games means we likely go 1-1 to start.
All that being said, I think our D has the potential to become an elite unit this year. If the OL can get its crap together by the opener we should expect the beast to be himself. At that point Ponder just needs to not make mistakes and we should be able to win a lot of games.
Winning is not a sometime thing it is an all of the time thing - Vince Lombardi
DKSweets wrote:I can convince myself that the Vikings will win 12+ games, and I can see us losing all but a hand full of games.
It really is a tough season to predict. I could see it going things going in either direction as well.
I love the lone circus peanut avatar!
ERIK the PURPLE wrote:Remind me again...When was the last time we won in Seattle?
Going by memory, it was 2006. The Vikes won easily in a blowout. They've blown out the Seahawks in 2 of their last 3 meetings, although one of them was in 2009 at the Metrodome.
808vikingsfan wrote:
I'm guessing "ERIK the VIKING" was already taken?
Okay...Let me explain "ERIK the PURPLE." When I was about 15 in 1973 and living in Northeast Ohio, I was already a die-hard Vikes fan. I started to call the Pete Franklin sports radio program (which went into 38 states and half of Canada). Many of the callers had nicknames, so I wanted mine to have a Nordic/Viking connection. One of the most, if not the most famous Viking in history was Erik the Red. Because our predominant color is purple, I chose ERIK the PURPLE. Been using it ever since, whether I was talking to Joel Buschbaum of Pro Football Weekly or any number of the local sports shows over the years.
With the talent we acquired this year and the continual development of last years talent there really is no reason we can't go 10-6 again. I really think it depends on our O line play. If they can keep Ponder upright we can make 10-6. If he gets pounded then I say no. He still has to have time to throw. If all he ever gets is 2 seconds we're in trouble. I am not saying we are going to be more pass happy. But with improved and young talent the 3 seconds are really needed to keep the chains moving. Peterson will still be the focal point and should be but we need the o line to step up in pass protection.
Delaqure wrote:With the talent we acquired this year and the continual development of last years talent there really is no reason we can't go 10-6 again. I really think it depends on our O line play. If they can keep Ponder upright we can make 10-6. If he gets pounded then I say no. He still has to have time to throw. If all he ever gets is 2 seconds we're in trouble. I am not saying we are going to be more pass happy. But with improved and young talent the 3 seconds are really needed to keep the chains moving. Peterson will still be the focal point and should be but we need the o line to step up in pass protection.
I agree....in fact I'll add the D-line to that equation. Success or failure will be greatly, not solely, determined by how consistent both of these lines can dictate and\or dominate the other side of the ball. Is the O-line over rated? Can the D-line live up to expectations? My guess is that the O-line will take a little more time, but our running game will help protect them. I think it's a good thing to face division rivals early this year due to the familiarity factor. Though being on the road will be interesting.
I'll be optimistic even though the following may not appear so. I will never underestimate AD, but another season with record-breaking production would be unbelievable. I don't anticipate Ponder improving as much as he needs to to make this offense really click. I want him to, but with the new WRs, I wonder how long it will take them to get on the same page and stay there. The LBs still look like a liability, but I am actually encouraged by the youth movement in the secondary. Maybe the stars align and the OL keeps Ponder off his backside, and the LBs learn to defend against cutback runs. But barring that... 9 wins.
"You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer." - Frank Zappa
808vikingsfan wrote:Watched the first half of the DET PATS game. Detroit looks good, especially their defense. I think Bush is going to compliment Stafford well. I may have to rethink my prediction. This is going to be a tough season.
Bush had 5 catches for 103 and the Lion defense mauled the Pats 1st stringers. Any given Sunday and all...but Bush is a nightmare out of the backfield when healthy.
The good thing about having a tough schedule and division is that it really propels the maturity of the younger guys on the team.
They may take some lumps this year. I'm not as concerned about their record or the post season as long as the play improves and the young guys step up.
808vikingsfan wrote:Watched the first half of the DET PATS game. Detroit looks good, especially their defense. I think Bush is going to compliment Stafford well. I may have to rethink my prediction. This is going to be a tough season.
I agree, they looked good. I love the Bush pickup for Detroit. As a Vikings fan I don't. They're a legit #2 receiver away from being extremely potent on offense...As if they aren't already.
We got this!
