Minnesota Vikings: 5 Biggest Obstacles in the Way of Winning the NFC North

The NFC North is shaping up to be one of the more competitive divisions in the NFC, and the Minnesota Vikings are right in the thick of it all.

But there are some key issues that could prevent them from winning the division outright.

The thought of winning the NFC North alone is a mighty feat for the Vikings to accomplish for several reasons.

The Green Bay Packers are pushing the dynasty tag, the Chicago Bears have enough talent to make things really difficult and the Detroit Lions are no longer that pushover team they have been in recent years.

Today, I’ll examine the five biggest obstacles standing in the way of the Minnesota Vikings winning the NFC North.

Ready?

5. Get All Team Issues Out of the Way as Soon as Possible

Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian, the offensive line, the defense as a whole, AP’s contract—Calgon take me away!

All of these issues must be addressed as soon as possible. They must be prevented from dragging on to prevent distractions which could interfere with the Vikings hopefully becoming a team that can challenge for the NFC crown.

These brands of issues can prevent the team from having quality practices. They can disable the newcomers from focusing on the task at hand and prevent the coaching staff from getting their team ready in the short amount of time they will have to work with once the labor talks end—and who knows when that will be.

Everyone is already under the gun, so there’s no reason to make matters worse by wading in the mud.

4. Beat the Division

A no-brainer here, but think back to 2009 when the Vikings were 5-1 against their NFC North brethren.

Now simply ask yourself how in the great googily-moogily did they go 1-5 in 2010?

Beating the division helps you win the division, plain and simple. But it also provides a team with a bit of personal clout that helps elevate a group of players to a whole new level—an aspect the Vikings lacked for most of the 2010 season.

Again, it won’t be easy winning this division or winning the majority of the six games played within it, but not at all impossible either.

3. Get Better on the Road

This Vikings won just two road games all of last year, which has profound effects on a team in various ways.

None of which are any good.

Playing on the road is tough enough. And when you lose more than you win, the swagger a team needs to be that "winner" evaporates, and a cloud of low morale begins to fill the void.

The other issue with a poor road team is the long-term effect it will have should the Vikings even make it to the postseason.

Even if they do win the NFC North, they will likely play—at the very potential minimum—one game on the road.

And everyone knows, it only takes one game to act as a reversal of good fortunes.

2. Get the Swagger Back

There weren’t too many people who thought at the beginning of the 2009 season that the Vikings were going to be a stone’s throw away from a Super Bowl appearance, even with Favre at the helm.

There were a ton of people who thought the Vikings were going to be a team to beat in 2010.

The 2009 Vikings had a swagger to them. They played with ferocity, tenacity and an almost chilling example of focus.

The 2010 Vikings played with a sense of defeat from Day 1. Minnesota looked lethargic at times, without purpose and devoid of any constant hope of bettering their unfortunate 2009 season, which needs to be reversed NOW.

Ergo, the Vikings have to get that “thing” back that made them so special in 2009, which all starts with a healthy team without any distractions.

If the Vikings can accomplish all of these tasks-at-hand, then the already uphill climb for divisional dominance will be a lot easier.

If they do not, they will have enough trouble just fending off a .500 season.

1. The Packers

Here we go, you all knew this one was coming but to be the best, you must beat the best.

The rivalry between the Packers and Vikings—in my opinion—is one of the greatest all-time rivalries in all of football. And with the rise of the Pack, the rivalry now also serves as an obstacle to winning this overly competitive division.

But it isn’t just the two games these teams play against each other, rather, the pace of keeping up with a very explosive Packers team.

Percentage wise, yes, it is going to be very difficult to overthrow the king but not impossible.

The Vikings need to keep this in mind if they are going to try their hand at being crowned the NFC North champs.

There's a great proverb that states, “When you reach the top, keep climbing,” which pretty much sums it all up.

Hopefully, for Minnesota's sake, the Vikings never stop climbing.

I hope you guys enjoyed this piece. Keep in mind that the players DID NOT vote today (Wednesday) which could mean a possible vote would come as early as Friday.

If you are a fantasy football fan, though, it isn’t too early to get a jump on things. Start by checking out my Early Fantasy WR Rankings, and follow the links to every other position player from there.