Minnesota Vikings 2013 Preview: Playoff Contender or Pretender?
Last year, the Minnesota Vikings headed into the 2012 season coming off a 3-13 record and set to navigate the eighth-most difficult strength of schedule in the NFL.
Among 16 analysts at NFL.com, not one predicted the Vikings would make the playoffs. The Chicago Bears were selected by 13, the New Orleans Saints by 11 and both the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants by 10.
At the end of the 2012 regular season, the Vikings claimed an NFC wild-card spot with a 10-6 record and each of the previously mentioned teams were watching playoff football from home.
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This demonstrates how difficult it can be predicting season records or playoff berths prior to the start of the regular season. There are so many different dynamics throughout the course of a season that it becomes almost an impossible exercise.
But let's be honest, it's still something fun that we like to do. And we'll break down whether the Vikings are a playoff contender or pretender for this season.
When evaluating the Vikings, there are a lot of reasons to like the team's chances in 2013. After a downright impressive 2012 season, which saw the greatest turnaround in team history, the Vikings have a large amount of team chemistry still present with the upcoming squad.
While losing Antoine Winfield and Percy Harvin will definitely have an impact on the team, general manager Rick Spielman and the front office have taken significant action to either fill the void left by each player or potentially improve at the position.
The signing of Greg Jennings provides a reliable option for Christian Ponder, something the third-year quarterback did not have for much of last season—one that saw him finish the regular season 4-0 with an injured Harvin on the sidelines.
The Vikings then decided to address both the cornerback and wide receiver position in the first round of the draft, selecting Xavier Rhodes and Cordarrelle Patterson at No. 25 and 29, respectively. Both are anticipated to see plenty of playing time in 2013 and may add a much needed spark on both sides of the ball.
Minnesota finished 31st in passing yards and 24th against the pass in 2012.
Shifting to the defensive line, the Vikings were able to land one of the top defensive prospects in the draft with Shariff Floyd, the team's first selection at No. 23 overall.
Combining his talent as a 3-technique lineman with the veteran leadership of Kevin Williams, the Vikings are in position to capitalize on outstanding upside.
Speaking of Williams, the Pro Bowl tackle enters the final year of his contract, potentially adding some increased motivation for success in 2013. The same holds true for defensive ends Jared Allen, Brian Robison and Everson Griffen.
One of the biggest question marks for the Vikings that will impact the team's overall defense still rests at middle linebacker. With Jasper Brinkley signing with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, Minnesota appears poised to move Erin Henderson to the "Mike" with fourth-round draft pick Gerald Hodges an option to slide in as the weak-side linebacker.
However the middle of the Vikings defense shakes out, it will be led by strong-side linebacker Chad Greenway, one of the top players at his position in a 4-3 scheme. The eight-year veteran made consecutive Pro Bowls the last two years and was tied for second most tackles in the NFL with 148.
With all of that said, fans in Minnesota seem more excited approaching this season than in many years past. Four years removed from the heartbreaking loss in the 2009 NFC Championship Game, the team was a combined 9-23 prior to last year's breakout.
Add the reigning MVP in Adrian Peterson to the conversation and the 2013 season can't come soon enough for fans, with the first kickoff taking place in Detroit on September 8.
Although the season opener is against a Lion's team that finished 4-12 in 2012, the Vikings have the 10th-most difficult strength of schedule for this upcoming season.
Let's take a look at the first half of the schedule:
*Steelers game played in London
Looking through the first eight games of the schedule, Minnesota has winnable games early with a challenging matchup against the Steelers in London in Week 4.
The final three games of the first half will also prove difficult for the Vikings with two road games and a home matchup against division rival Green Bay. Peterson may not need to run for 200 yards this time around, but a home win against the Packers will be necessary following a trip to MetLife Stadium.
Prediction: 5-3 with losses against the Bears, Steelers and Giants.
Let's move on to the second half of the schedule:
The Vikings were unable to capitalize on red-zone opportunities last year in Washington and Ponder will need to lead his team past the Redskins at home. Back-to-back road games in Seattle and Green Bay will prove tough, but the team can bounce back late in the season.
Minnesota posted a 7-1 record at home last year and the team will need to manage the same mark this season, with the Steelers contest in London technically a home game.
Needing victories in the final three games of the season to make the playoffs, Minnesota must call upon similar late-season magic as 2012.
Prediction: 5-3 with losses against the Seahawks, Packers and Ravens.
The Minnesota Vikings approach the 2013 season with high expectations and excitement swirling among the fan base. Questions may still exist at the quarterback position for some, but Christian Ponder enters a potential breakout season in his third year.
The NFL draft allowed general manager Rick Spielman the opportunity to add three first-round draft picks who can join the team and immediately contribute. Fourth-round selection Gerald Hodges may also prove to be the Vikings' weak-side linebacker on Day 1, filling the gap left by Erin Henderson moving to the middle.
If Adrian Peterson can stay healthy and the team's receiving corps step up their game in 2013, the Vikings will find themselves back in the postseason hungry for a deeper run.
Final Verdict: Playoff Contender (10-6, NFC wild card).
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