Some general predictions for the Vikings 2013-2014 season

[RandallioCobb18]

Anyone have any general predictions for how this year will go? Players you think will regress or exceed expectations? Coaches last stands? Anything?

I'll get it started with my crystal ball visions ... (in no particular order)

--This will be the last season Christian Ponder starts in the NFL, and I envision Matt Cassel starting at some point

--Spielman’s youth foundation will truly shine and folks will feel incredibly optimistic about the team’s championship future with Harrison Smith, Matt Kalil, Xavier, Shariff, Patterson, etc.

--Greg Jennings contributions will be more guidance and intangibles than big numbers.

--Jared Allen will have a great year, but it will be the last in Minnesota.

--Adrian will come a LOT closer to 2,000 yards than people think. (and will lead the NFL in the process)

--Jerome Simpson will play like in 2013 like he was SUPPOSED to play like in 2012.

--Kyle Rudolph will be nationally recognized as a top 3 TE in the NFL

--Erin Henderson will prove to be as solid a MLB as big brother E.J.

--I see this season a lot like last season, where we look good for a stretch, and then Godright awful for a stretch

--10-6 will be the magic number to clinch the NFC North, and it won't be GB

10-6 to clinch the division? Thanks for the laugh my optimistic friend.

[Texas Vike]

Anyone have any general predictions for how this year will go? Players you think will regress or exceed expectations? Coaches last stands? Anything?

I'll get it started with my crystal ball visions ... (in no particular order)

--This will be the last season Christian Ponder starts in the NFL, and I envision Matt Cassel starting at some point

--Spielman’s youth foundation will truly shine and folks will feel incredibly optimistic about the team’s championship future with Harrison Smith, Matt Kalil, Xavier, Shariff, Patterson, etc.

--Greg Jennings contributions will be more guidance and intangibles than big numbers.

--Jared Allen will have a great year, but it will be the last in Minnesota.

--Adrian will come a LOT closer to 2,000 yards than people think. (and will lead the NFL in the process)

--Jerome Simpson will play like in 2013 like he was SUPPOSED to play like in 2012.

--Kyle Rudolph will be nationally recognized as a top 3 TE in the NFL

--Erin Henderson will prove to be as solid a MLB as big brother E.J.

--I see this season a lot like last season, where we look good for a stretch, and then Godright awful for a stretch

--10-6 will be the magic number to clinch the NFC North, and it won't be GB

It's hard for me to imagine that your scenario #1 could combine w/ all the rest. If Ponder blows so bad that we have to go w/ Cassel, I would think that 10-6 would not even be close to feasible.

[Texas Vike]

Whoever said the Vikings would go 10-6? I said that's what would be needed to win the North

You implied it by stating "I see this season a lot like last season..." and then "10-6 will be the magic number...".

Nothing to get worked up over.

What do you think their record will be?

[RandallioCobb18]

before the preseason 10 or 11 wins, after watching Ponder in the preseason I see no improvement in Ponder's game and the team will have to work hard to get around that. Combined with our schedule I find very tough I see 8 or 9, possibly 10 wins if all things line up right.

However I think the Packers have a tougher schedule than us and if they split with the division (which I think they will), then they only win 7 to 9 games too. I know some might laugh, but that's because the media and hype surrounding them still treats them like they won the SB yesterday. These Packers have benefited from a remarkable amount of hype, that actually saw most "experts" claim the Packers were going to pound the Niners in the playoffs, completely ignoring so many factors including how the Niners owned the Pack. They won one SB with a 10-6, then went a remarkable 15-1 yet completely choked in the playoffs. And last year if not for Ponder's crucial picks at Lambeau, they would've been 10-6 and the Vikings would've been 11-5.

The Packer passing game dropped to 9th last season, and without Jennings will likely drop some more mixed with their never ending chain of season ending injuries. The myth is that their passing attack is tops in the league, but the reality is it's not and its all fueled by hype, reputation, and media talk. No NFC team has made the playoffs five years in a row since the 90's and there's no reason to think the Packers will buck that trend other than "yeah but Rodgers is so awesome". Ignore the hype and look at the numbers and reality. This is not the Packers who almost went undefeated in '11 and its not the team that won the SB in 2010. They're not the same team.

Wow, I was able to surmise that you are a giant homer but this takes the cake.

Constantly making excuses for your teams shortcomings while hopelessly clinging to the anything and everything to make the Packers look bad. Ok, if you want to find out exactly why the Packers are in a better long term situation then the Vikings then I plead you to come to the smack forum, all I will say here is please, stop rationalizing why the Vikings should have it could have been better then they were it sounds nothing short of stupid.

I could easily say the "If you take away the fail Mary and the non existent helmet to helmet call on nick Perry in Indy, the Packers would have been 13-3!" but I don't because it makes me sound like a complete homer dumbass. I advise you to cool it with the rationalization, lest someone might question your intelligence and/or objectivity.

[Mothman]

This is a very general prediction but I think the performance of the pass defense might end up having as much to do with the Vikes final W/L record as any other factor. There's a lot of focus on Ponder and on AD's continuing quest for the NFL single season rushing record but the depth in the defense's back 7 looks thin and the top 3 starters at CB are unproven and/or unreliable (see Cook, Chris).

The scars of 2011 are pretty fresh. That pass defense was abysmal and I hope the Vikes never slide back even close to that level of defensive ineptitude. I don't think they will but I AM concerned about how their pass defenders are going to hold up against some of the potent passing teams on their schedule.

[UKno1VIKING]

As Clubber Lang once said "prediction.........PAIN!"

[Eli]

This is a very general prediction but I think the performance of the pass defense might end up having as much to do with the Vikes final W/L record as any other factor. There's a lot of focus on Ponder and on AD's continuing quest for the NFL single season rushing record but the depth in the defense's back 7 looks thin and the top 3 starters at CB are unproven and/or unreliable (see Cook, Chris).

The scars of 2011 are pretty fresh. That pass defense was abysmal and I hope the Vikes never slide back even close to that level of defensive ineptitude. I don't think they will but I AM concerned about how their pass defenders are going to hold up against some of the potent passing teams on their schedule.

You're absolutely right.

Harrison Smith alone is huge upgrade over that 2011 squad, and I think another year under the belts of Sanford/Raymond will be a boost at the other safey position. The linebackers could potentially be better, but probably not. It's the cornerback position that is the biggest worry. Another is the push from the middle of the DL. If they're unable to collapse the pocket on QBs, then the outside rush by Allen and Robison will be largely futile.

[Mothman]

You're absolutely right.

Harrison Smith alone is huge upgrade over that 2011 squad, and I think another year under the belts of Sanford/Raymond will be a boost at the other safey position. The linebackers could potentially be better, but probably not. It's the cornerback position that is the biggest worry. Another is the push from the middle of the DL. If they're unable to collapse the pocket on QBs, then the outside rush by Allen and Robison will be largely futile.

I'm glad I'm not the alone in feeling uneasy about the pass defense. I definitely think the biggest worry is at corner. By the end of the season, it could look like a strength. There's just a lot of uncertainty there right now.. I wish the Vikes didn't have to open on the road against one of the best receivers and better passing teams in the league.

[mansquatch]

The CB situation is a big question mark. I sincerely hope that Kaepernick's wakeup call on Robinson hit home. I think Rhodes looks legit, but we'll find for sure on the 8th when they face Megatron. The good news is that Cook/Smith seem to do pretty well against that guy.

I don't think we'll see a 2011 debacle with this unit. Cook was out that year with his off the field crap, Winfield was injured, and Smith was still playing D1. Injuries could hurt us, but for the most part the big question is if Rhodes can hold up on his side and if Robinson can show that his performance against SF was an outlyer.

In terms of LB, the unit (Nickel) is unchanged from last year as EH was playing those snaps.

Rushing up the gut has the potential to be a big issue, especially weeks 2 and 3. Let's hope Floyd is back by then. Not so worried about pressure up the middle on passing downs. EG has shown he can effectively rush the passer from the inside position. It is the power rushing that will be the issue.

[Mothman]

VMB breaks a record for most threads about the same player.

I don't think Jeff Locke's going to generate that much conversation.

[Mothman]

Actually I was referring to Larry Dean.

[Eli]

If Jeff Locke continues to be a liability on FGs, he'll soon be the subject of many conversations. I sure hope he turns out to be a better punter than he is a holder.

[Demi]

Cassel takes over the starting job coming out of the bye.

[DK Sweets]

Our coverage will be poor this year, but the pressure brought by our Line coupled with some awesome height in the secondary will lead to more INTs than usual.

The Defense will finish in the Top 10 for scoring defenses despite being in the Bottom 10 for yardage.

The Vikings play more 3 WR sets this year than 3 TE/FB.

Christian Ponder throws more TDs than Cutler and less INTs than Stafford.

Adrian Peterson rushes for less than 1600 but has more than 500 receiving.

[PacificNorseWest]

Patterson is taking his first KR, that he has a chance, to the house.