2013 Minnesota Predictions
The biggest question when looking at this year’s Minnesota Vikings is — whether Adrian Peterson can carry the Vikings to another postseason appearance.
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2012 Record: 10-6
ATS: 7-8-1
Bears Odds to win the 2014 NFC North Division: +350
Bears Odds to win the 2014 NFC Conference: 18/1
Bears Odds to win the 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII: 40/1
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Peterson shouldered the load last season, carrying Minnesota to a 10-6 overall record on his way to becoming just the seventh rusher in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards rushing, falling just eight yards shy of the all-time record with 2,097 yards.
And even though that performance solidified Peterson’s ranking among the NFL’s elite running backs, one has to wonder if he can repeat such a phenomenal season without a supporting cast not much better than it was just a year ago.
Peterson was a one-man wrecking machine all season long, and carried the Vikings 4-0 over the final four games of the 2012 campaign en route to securing a playoff spot just one year after the team finished a pitiful 3-13 in 2011.
But the postseason did not provide the Vikings with the same kind of success that the regular season did, as they were eliminated in the Wild Card round by their rival, the Green Bay Packers. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Nevertheless, it’s that type of turn around that gives Vikings’ fans hope that their team will contend in this year’s NFC North title race, but only if quarterback Christian Ponder can make up for a medioce 2012 campaign
Ponder showed only small signs of development last season, passing for just 2,935 yards and 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.
He will get a little help this year with newly signed draft pick Cordarrelle Patterson and former Super Bowl 45 hero Greg Jennings.
Nevertheless, with Ponder under center and speedster Percy Harvin gone, the Minnesota offence offense will only go as far as Peterson takes it.
Meanwhile, defensively, the Vikings’ main weakness is still against the pass.
The team’s secondary did however, make some improvements against the pass last season, jumping from last in the NFL in both passer rating allowed and touchdown passes allowed to 25th and tied for 23rd, respectively.
They also jumped from 28th in the league in passing yards allowed to 23rd.
Nevertheless, adding only cornerback Xavier Rhodes in the offseason doesn’t really indicate a huge step up.
The team also finished right around league average in both total yards and points allowed per game last season, and spent its other draft pick on defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd to try to bolster those numbers.
The final area the Vikings’ defense needs to improve is takeaways. If the defense wants to help, they will need to force more turnovers. The Vikings were just 22nd in the NFL last season with 22 takeaways, and they ranked tied for 27th with just 10 interceptions.
Vikings Betting Outlook:
On paper, the Minnesota Vikings really do not look like a playoff team, and are arguably the worst team in the division. But Peterson will keep them in the hunt as he searches for another league MVP, even if only for a while.
Honestly, I really don’t see then going better than 8-8 overall.
Until the Vikings develop a passing game, and do not have to rely solely on their run game, it will be hard for them to keep up with the high-powered offenses in the NFC North and around the league.
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