Minnesota: The Vikings faithful are not a pleased bunch heading into this new season and especially after posting a final record of 6-10 in a row last year, which includes losing 8 of their last 10 games after a straight 4-start. 2. There are a lot of questions to be answered before the start of the regular season and at the top of the list is “Who will be the starting QB?”
Will it be the young and inexperienced Tarvaris Jackson who critics say is the favorite for the job or will it be former Badger Brooks Bollinger? It surely won’t be former Cowboys quarterback Drew Henson because the Vikes cut him off their roster and added running back Kelly Holcomb to the mix in exchange for a draft pick with the Eagles. Whichever quarterback gets the nod will have a new weapon in recently acquired WR Robert Ferguson, who in a surprise move was released by the Packers.
In the big picture, due to weakness at the QB and WR positions, look for the Viking offense to become more run game oriented and why not with RB Chester Taylor in the backfield along with former Sooner Adrian Peterson? Taylor was a workhorse for the Vikes last year with 304 rushing attempts for just over 1200 yards and an average of 4.0 yards per rush, Peterson should be just what the doctor ordered in regards to having a reliable backup for spell Taylor, however, without a passing game defenders with the ability to turn either player on and easily shut down what appears to be a one-dimensional attack.
Defensively, the Vikes will spend too much time on the field if their offense falters as they imagine, this is not good for a unit that will have its seventh defensive coordinator in the last 9 years due to the promotion of Mike Tomlin to Pittsburgh as its HC. Look for the Vikes to take on Detroit for the Cellar Dweller title. Projected record: 6-10
** Look to play AGAINST Minnesota on September 16 when they visit the Lions, Detroit has been installed as a home dog for the Vikings seven of the last eight seasons and will in all likelihood be a home dog for the Vikes again this year and with good reason considering that Detroit has now lost 24 of its last 30 divisional games outright and in head-to-head competition it has lost 13 of its last 14 games against the Vikes. The line on this issue will likely be further inflated due to the Lions opening their season in Oakland while Minny started at home against Atlanta.
With any luck, the Lions will look terrible in their first game, while Minny looks like a world champion. The thought process here is that we’ll be catching the Vikes at a “low point” after opening their season at home, meanwhile the Lions will be very excited playing in their first home game regardless of what happens in their first game. season game in Oakland. , the Lions have talent on their roster on both sides of the ball, and if they fit in, they could shock a lot of teams this year, including the visiting Vikes. Keep an eye on how Detroit fares in their opener in Oakland because a review of the old history book reveals that Detroit is a perfect 6-0 ATS in September when playing at home coming off a straight, point-margin loss. .