How many wins this season?

[PurpleKoolaid]

It would be interesting to have a thread like this with something on the line for more valid predictions. Like the ones closest to the way the season ends get to pick the avatar/signature of the ones furthest away.

[Delaqure]

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.

A lot of intrigue this season....

This kind of makes me more nervous now. With the linebackers questionable in their pass coverage, Bush could really be a nightmare for us. I really think our DBs are going to be fine, it's the linebackers that give me pause. We will have to contend with Bush and Forte now coming out the backfield. I see a lot of passing to the backs headed our way this season. We all know how the NFL is. Once one team exposes a weakness the rest are all over it.

[mansquatch]

Bush is on what, his 3rd team? If he were such a terror why has he not caught on with anyone?

[The Breeze]

Bush is on what, his 3rd team? If he were such a terror why has he not caught on with anyone?

I think in this case Bush is extremely suited for the Lions offense so what he's done elsewhere or hasn't done, shouldn't weigh too heavy. He did prove he could handle being the feature back in Miami, rather than just a 3rd down\return guy specialist.

Like Delaqure,I think he poses legit matchup problems for us in the middle of the field as does Pettigrew. I felt the same way about Best until he was concussed outta the league.

Regardless, they have a formidable offense. It's their defense and demeanor that will decide their fate....assuming the offense does it's job.

2cents and such~

[Mothman]

Bush is on what, his 3rd team? If he were such a terror why has he not caught on with anyone?

The simple answer is that he did. Bush "caught on" with the Saints for the first 5 years of his career and then was traded in the last year of his contract. The Saints were facing difficult salary cap constraints and rather than pay him the $11+ million he was due that season they traded him to Miami.

Bush was a free agent this offseason and could sign with any team that wanted him. He was very productive in Miami but they have a couple of young RBs they're comfortable with and wanted to spend their free agent money elsewhere (and they spent big this offseason).

[MV711]

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.

10-6 is obtainable if we stay healthy and we play up to our capabilities.

[jackal]

Yes 6-7 wins is looking like a winner right now

[Eli]

Yes 6-7 wins is looking like a winner right now

They've got to go .500 now to salvage a 7-9 season. Could be tough.

[Laserman]

Based on what I 've seen so far 3 or 4. schedule is brutal. Win against Ravens-NO, Cowboys ? maybe, Giants? Maybe? Bears NO, Packers NO, Lions NO, Panthers ? Maybe, Seahawks NO, Browns ? Maybe. Good draft Position next spring we should have. Maybe we should follow the redskins lead and draft 2 QBs

[yezzir]

I think the team coming home this weekend is going to do them a world of good, kind of tough back to back road games to start the season, specially for a team with a poor road record. I also think it's going to be a turning point for the purple and I believe we will see a different team from then on out

Yea. I think 2 straight road games against divisional teams to start a season is pretty lame.

Does anybody know the last time the Vikings have had to do that?

[Reignman]

Yea. I think 2 straight road games against divisional teams to start a season is pretty lame.

Does anybody know the last time the Vikings have had to do that?

The last time we opened the season with back to back road division games was 1992. We won at Lamebeau, then lost at Detroit. We went on to go 11-5 and won the division. The last time we started the season with any back to back road games was the '09 Favre year (at Cleveland, at Detroit) and we won em both.