Minnesota Vikings Predictions: 5 Keys to the 2011 Season

The 2009 season was full of limited expectations. After 2009 went as well as possible, the 2010 preseason discussion was centered around the Vikings and how they were bound to be the 2011 Super Bowl champions.

Well, the experts had the right division selected (NFC North) but they had the wrong team in mind—as we all know Minnesota's division rival, the Green Bay Packers, won the Super Bowl.

The 2011 season could be a great season for Minnesota. It also could be a repeat of the 2010 campaign when everything fell apart. 

Here are five keys that will make or break Minnesota's 2011 campaign.

5. Injuries

Four of the five starting offensive linemen entering the 2010 season missed time due to injury last season—right tackle Phil Loadholdt was the only lineman to play all 16 games in 2010.

The top two receivers, Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin missed 13 games between them (11 and two, respectively).

Cedric Griffin, the team’s No. 2 cornerback, tore his ACL in Week 4 against the Jets and was lost for the season.

Chris Cook, one of the players expected to replace Griffin, went out for the year after a wrist injury after playing in six games as a rookie.

Every team has injuries. In a physical game like the NFL injuries are unavoidable. Every team should expect to have injuries throughout the season. But if Minnesota can be healthy in 2011 it could be a better than expected season for the Vikings.

4. Will There Be a Pass Rush?

Ray Edwards’ departure from the Vikings to the Atlanta Falcons means 8.5 sacks are gone from the defense in 2011.

Although, Brian Robison—the new starting right defensive end—is a quick enough player that he should be able to get his fair share of sacks despite his small frame for a defensive end (6’3”, 259 pounds).

The Vikings led the NFL in sacks in 2009 and it made them one of the top defensive units in the league. Last year Minnesota’s rush accumulated a mere 31 sacks (20th best).

Kevin Williams needs to accumulate more than one sack from the defensive tackle position and Jared Allen needs to be more consistent from the defensive end position. Allen recorded one sack through the first seven games and reeled off 10 in the last nine games.

The rush and pass defense both ranked in the top 10 in the NFL last year (ninth and 10th respectively). So if the Vikings can bring back a pass rush more comparable to the 2009 rush, when they had 48 sacks, then the defensive unit will be stronger in 2011 than 2010.

3. Percy Harvin

Sidney Rice walked in the offseason which left a huge hole in the No. 1 spot on the Vikings receiver depth chart. Harvin is the man slated to fill that spot. Can he do it?

Harvin led Minnesota in basically all receiving categories in only 14 games: receptions (71), yards (868), and touchdowns (five).

At 5’11”, 184 pounds he’s not the ideal size to be a No. 1 receiver. But neither is Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (5’9”, 185 pounds) and he’s just had five seasons with 1,000 yards or more. Nothing notable.   

Harvin has the potential to be a No. 1 receiver in this league. If he moves up the receiver stratosphere, then it’ll help his quarterback and the Vikings to have a better than expected season.

If he continues to do what he’s done, then others will have to step up significantly for Minnesota to have an effective passing game in 2011.

2. Offensive Line

The Vikings let left tackle Bryant McKinnie walk after he reportedly showed up to camp at 400 pounds, 65 pounds heavier than his listed playing weight in 2010.

At 6’8,” releasing McKinnie not only left a huge hole physically speaking, but it leaves a huge void on the offensive line that gave up 36 sacks last season.

Charlie Johnson, signed from the Indianapolis Colts, is the man destined to replace McKinnie at this point. Only time will tell if he’s truly up to that task.

But despite allowing only 36 sacks, which was 17th in the league last season, that doesn’t count the times when the quarterback got rushed into throwing a ball away, a poorly thrown ball, or a play that—if given more time—could have produced a better result.

The offensive line was injured last season with left guard Steve Hutchinson missing five games, John Sullivan missing two games, and Anthony Herrera missing six games. Everyone from the more productive 2009 offensive line is back, minus McKinnie.

If the line can regain its 2009 form, Minnesota’s offense will be improved. If not, then it’s going to be a long year for McNabb.

1. Donovan McNabb

Minnesota drafted Christian Ponder 12th overall with the intention to make him the franchise quarterback. Ponder is Minnesota’s future. But Donovan McNabb is the present because McNabb gives Minnesota the best chance to win in 2011.

But how good of a chance does McNabb actually give the Vikings to win in 2011? That depends on which McNabb shows up.

Most sources say that McNabb is over the hill. He’s got very little left in the tank. The quarterback from the days in Philadelphia is dead and gone. They believe the McNabb that is left cannot lead a team to the playoffs.

All of that negative media attention mixed in with more left in the tank than what many think could make McNabb a “sleeper” for fantasy football leagues.

McNabb could prove he’s got more in the tank than many think. And if he does, Minnesota will be in for a better season than expected.

If McNabb throws as many interceptions as he does touchdowns, as many have predicted, then Minnesota will fail to reach the playoffs.