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The Vikings - Smoke and Mirrors or a Legit Contender?

Dave2112

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Well, as a fan, you know what I'm gonna say, but I'm curious about the opinions of the TMF's other NFL prognosticators.

I am more than used to Minny blowing it in late December while controlling their own destiny. However, I just get a different feel this year from my team. With the chinks showing in the Giants' armor and an up-and-down NFC South, who knows?

It's very easy to dismiss the Vikes as a team that might make it to the playoffs, then fold...but I really don't think they're getting enough credit.

The defense is solid. And with Kevin and Pat Williams safe for the rest of the season, that D-line is almost impossible to get through. Talented corners, an underrated safety tandem and some very physical linebackers.

Offense? Shit....Adrian Peterson gets over 100 yards, the Vikes win. It's that simple. While there's no legitimate, or at least consistent, deep threat, the Vikes have a couple very good possession receivers. The guys that can just keep the chains moving, give AP more shots at breaking one open and plant the opposing offense on the sidelines.

Of course, the big questin is at quarterback. While most of the attention is on Kerry Collins of Tennessee, Gus Frerotte has been doing the same thing in Minnesota. Managing the game with over a decade of experience in many different systems, standing in the pocket and taking the hits while delivering beautiful, if mid-range, passes...and not losing the game.

Now, we may have to go with Tavaris Jackson for a bit. I know....I facepalmed myself as well. However, TJ looked very good against an Arizona team no one gave them a chance against...to the tune of 35-14.

I was hoping for the Giants to run the tables, so that by the time we meet them for the lat game of the season, NY would have everything clinched and not be playing for much. However, with the recent turmoil in NY and the Giants showing that they are definitely beatable, I believe Minnesota has a legitimate shot in beating NY outright.

Every year, there's this team that keeps winning games, but no one really notices. It's usually these teams that wind up making some noise when the smoke from the regular season settles and the playoffs become their own mini-season where everyone is 0-0. I do believe Minny could be that team this year. Remember, it's all about just getting to the tournament. How good you are when you hit it. A couple years ago, they made the playoffs at 8-8 and actually won their wild card game and made the divisional round a real game in their loss.

So, what do you think? Legit contender, or smoke-and-mirrors? Rarely do the favored teams actually wind up going all the way, and every year brings us a Super Bowl where we all sit and go "remember when we thought so-and-so was a sure thing?"

This is the NFL, anything can happen.
 
not a legit contender yet, teams just dont win superbowls without a legit qb UNLESS they have a very dominant defense and a outstanding consistent running game, and the vikings dont have a great defense and their running game isnt always consistent.. now ofcourse this is the nfl and any team can beat any team and anyone can catch fire but i dont see the vikings beating the likes of the falcons,cowboys,giants,panthers,bucs and i sure dont see them beating the steelers in the superbowl if they somehow got there.. its going to be the steelers and panthers in the superbowl with the steelers winning ...GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Here's an interesting, if unlikely, scenario, though. Let's say Minny wins out. Let's say Carolina wins out. That's two games. That's also two losses for the Giants. With head-to-head losses against both teams, it would be Carolina and Minnesota with the bye weeks.

While I realistically believe Carolina would have the advantage, at least it would be one less team Minny would have to face. AND, at least one home game under the roof, where they are very good.

Could happen.
 
like i said im not saying it couldnt but i doubt the giants lose out and the vikes win out, and regardless i dont see the vikings winning a playoff game.. i dont think their coach is great and i think they need a new coach and brand new system to be good, and i dont think tavares should be on the bench he is better than gus but they just dont let tavares throw, and i dont think they need a new qb just a better coach to coach to coach him up, i just dont see the vikings getting it done until childress is gone
 
The Vikings have two things to worry about; quarterback play and if the Williams' will be suspended.

I think they'll win the North and likely win their first playoff game at the Dome (unless they play the 'Boys, of course). If Tavaris can continue to play as well as he did yesterday then their chances for success are that much greater. If yesterday proves to be a fluke then I would worry. Peterson can't carry the entire offense without a little help. At worst, the QB needs to manage the game to give the Vikings a chance.

Also, if the NFL wins in court and the suspensions are served this year, then the Vikings will really be hurt. Taking away their two most important defensive players, other than Allen, would put the defense at a great disadvantage.

The Vikings will have to play the Bucs or Falcons more-than-likely. Whatever team they draw will also have some say in how they'll perform. Whatever happens this season, Vikings fans should feel good about the teams future.
 
like i said im not saying it couldnt but i doubt the giants lose out and the vikes win out, and regardless i dont see the vikings winning a playoff game.. i dont think their coach is great and i think they need a new coach and brand new system to be good, and i dont think tavares should be on the bench he is better than gus but they just dont let tavares throw, and i dont think they need a new qb just a better coach to coach to coach him up, i just dont see the vikings getting it done until childress is gone

1,000,000 brownie points for you!

not a legit contender yet, teams just dont win superbowls without a legit qb UNLESS they have a very dominant defense and a outstanding consistent running game, and the vikings dont have a great defense and their running game isnt always consistent.. now ofcourse this is the nfl and any team can beat any team and anyone can catch fire but i dont see the vikings beating the likes of the falcons,cowboys,giants,panthers,bucs and i sure dont see them beating the steelers in the superbowl if they somehow got there.. its going to be the steelers and panthers in the superbowl with the steelers winning ...GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And another 5,000,000 more!!! :dancingbanana:

You hit the nail(s) on the head... TWICE!
 
The Vikings have two things to worry about; quarterback play and if the Williams' will be suspended.

Exactly.

AP is a beast, Berrian takes some heat off, D is solid...

But they can't run with Caro, the Gints and Dallas in my book.

Unless Gus and/or Tavaris play OUT OF THEIR MINDS!

The Vikings will have to play the Bucs or Falcons more-than-likely. Whatever team they draw will also have some say in how they'll perform. Whatever happens this season, Vikings fans should feel good about the teams future.

Yup.

Give them a better QB and/or another threat (TE/WR) and they're legit.

They're almost there.
 
To win in the playoffs you need a good defense and a good running game. Having a star QB is not a necessity.
The issue I see with Minnesota is experience. Playoff experience is a must, the level of competition just goes through the roof.

I do believe Minnesota is legit, with that running game and a good defense they can certainly make some noise.

But there are good points being raised about the availability of some important members of the Vikings defense. Also the dome thing. The dome does not only help the Vikings, but the team going into the dome. But what happens if Minnesota has to travel to NY in the winter.

The overall team is good, but does not have the overall team experience I feel to go all the way.

Rob
 
To win in the playoffs you need a good defense and a good running game. Having a star QB is not a necessity.
The issue I see with Minnesota is experience. Playoff experience is a must, the level of competition just goes through the roof.

I do believe Minnesota is legit, with that running game and a good defense they can certainly make some noise.

Rob

I believe all of that is true.

However, I also know that you DO NEED a good QB if you're playing from behind.

And the Vikes don't strike me as a team who can get an early lead and then hold it, grind out the clock and/or pad their lead.

The only team in recent memory that I can think of that reached the SB without a consistent/good QB is/was the Bears in 06.

And they barely beat the Seahawks in round 2 that year.

Most teams that go deep into the playoffs usually have good/consistent QB play.
 
The only team in recent memory that I can think of that reached the SB without a consistent/good QB is/was the Bears in 06.

Jim McMahon, Mark Rypen, Trent Dilfer, Doug Williams, Brad Johnson, Jeff Hostetler,

All those teams had a great defense and a top notch Running Back/O-Line.

If we add in losing QB's you can add Kerry Collins, Chris Chandler, Stan Humphries

Im sure there is a few I am forgetting.

Rob
 
Jim McMahon, Mark Rypen, Trent Dilfer, Doug Williams, Brad Johnson, Jeff Hostetler,

All those teams had a great defense and a top notch Running Back/O-Line.

If we add in losing QB's you can add Kerry Collins, Chris Chandler, Stan Humphries

Im sure there is a few I am forgetting.

Rob

in the years their teams went to the superbowl rypen,williams,and chandler were good, and a great qb isnt nessecary but it helps becasue if you dont have a qb who you can rely on your defense and running game need to be top notch every game and thats just to hard to do in the playoffs most of the time.. although there are the exceptions
 
Jim McMahon, Mark Rypen, Trent Dilfer, Doug Williams, Brad Johnson, Jeff Hostetler,

All those teams had a great defense and a top notch Running Back/O-Line.

If we add in losing QB's you can add Kerry Collins, Chris Chandler, Stan Humphries

Im sure there is a few I am forgetting.

Rob

Brad Johnson was a consistent QB.

He doesn't count.

And if you consider the other QB's between 1990-present who led their teams/won the SB:

Montana/Young (twice combined), Jim Kelly (4 times), Aikman (3 times), Bledsoe, Favre (twice), Elway (3 times), Big Ben, H-Beck, Peyton, Brady (3 times), Kurt Warner (twice), Big Air McNair...

Most of the QB's just mentioned (except Hasselbeck and possibly McNair have HoF credentials. (Ben still has time, Warner might make it, Bledsoe has solid stats)

QB's are just as, if not more important in the crunch than a Running game.

That's why Montana, Elway and Favre are revered for their GW drives...

Not Roger Craig, Terrell Davis and Dorsey Levens.
 
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