5 Reasons the Minnesota Vikings May Actually Be NFC North Contenders in 2011

One year after coming within a Brett Favre interception from an appearance in Super Bowl XLIV, the Vikings were the league's most disappointing team, going 6-10, missing the playoffs and leading the NFL in locker room drama.

The Vikings waved goodbye to Favre this offseason and will kick off their first season under new head coach Leslie Frazier (who took over for the fired Brad Childress in midseason 2010) in 2011 and new gunslinger Donovan McNabb.

The task of making the playoffs won't be easy though, as Minnesota will have to compete against the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, as well as the defending NFC North champion Chicago Bears twice this season.

Join Bleacher Report as we look at five reasons why the 2011 Minnesota Vikings can realistically contend for the NFC North crown.

Favorable Schedule

The Vikings struggled mightily against their rival NFC North opponents in 2010, going just 1-5, the lone win coming at home in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions.

Minnesota will face the Packers and Bears twice of course but will have plenty of winnable games, including Detroit, Arizona, Oakland and Denver at home.

The Vikings will also play Detroit, Carolina and Washington on the road.

Minnesota's schedule this season is far from 2010's nightmare calendar, and the Vikings should be favored to win at least half of their games in 2011.

Defense

Despite losing 10 games in 2010, the Vikings defensive unit was ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in pass (10th) and rush (ninth) defense.

Minnesota's strong defensive line held back opposing ground attacks, allowing 102.2 yards rushing on average last season.

The secondary allowed just 210.4 yards through the air in 2010 and was led by Husain Abdullah's three interceptions.

Linebacker Chad Greenway led the team in tackles, wrapping up the ball carrier 144 times last season, while defensive Jared Allen recorded 11 sacks to lead all Vikings.

Minnesota won't be easy to score on this season, that's for sure.

Adrian Peterson

Arguably the league's best running back, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson makes the Vikings' offense as dangerous as any.

Peterson runs with an anger and ferocity that has never before been seen.

Minnesota's rushing attack ranked 10th in the NFL in 2010, racking up 121.4 yards on the ground on average last season.

Peterson's rushing output last season was the lowest of his four-year career but not by much. He also scored 12 touchdowns, decreased his fumble total from 2009 by five and ripped off the longest run of his career (80 yards) in 2010.

Watch for the 26-year-old Peterson to be back healthy and ready in 2011 playing behind new Viking Donovan McNabb.

Special Teams

The Vikings return their two special teams stars in 2011, punter Chris Kluwe and kicker Ryan Longwell.

Longwell was exceptional last season, converting on 17 of his 18 field-goal attempts (94.4 percent).

Kluwe averaged 43 yards per punt, forcing five touchbacks and 22 fair catches.

Kluwe's punts were returned for only 7.5 yards on average, meanwhile Longwell missed one extra point all season, making 30 of 31 in 2010.

The Vikings only allowed two kick/punt return touchdowns all season long and will once again use Percy Harvin in the return game. Harvin returned a kick off for a touchdown in 2010 and averaged 23.3 yards per return.

No Favre, No Drama

Brett Favre failed to recreate the magic he had made in 2009 last season, instead throwing 19 interceptions and completing just 60.6 of his pass attempts.

The drama with Favre on the field continued off of it, and the Vikings locker room began to turn on head coach Brad Childress.

A midseason trade for wide receiver Randy Moss only added to the circus in Minnesota, and the Vikings fought a losing battle the rest of the year.

This season, first-year head coach and former assistant Leslie Frazier will call the shots from day one, Favre and Moss are retired and Minnesota will be the quiet underdog once again.

Patrick Clarke is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow on Twitter @_Pat_Clarke