Why is everyone so high on the Vikings this year?

[NLSoldier]

Because they [censored] pwn?

[Sluss]

[ QUOTE ]
look at their schedule:

Sep 11 Tampa Bay 1:00pm W
Sep 18 @Cincinnati 1:00pm L
Sep 25 New Orleans 1:00pm W
Oct 2 @Atlanta 4:15pm L
Week 5 BYE
Oct 16 @Chicago 1:00pm L
Oct 23 Green Bay 1:00pm W
Oct 30 @Carolina 1:00pm L
Nov 6 Detroit 1:00pm W
Nov 13 @N.Y. Giants 1:00pm W
Nov 21 @Green Bay 9:00pm L
Nov 27 Cleveland 1:00pm W
Dec 4 @Detroit 1:00pm L
Dec 11 St. Louis 1:00pm L
Dec 18 Pittsburgh 1:00pm W
Dec 25 @Baltimore 8:30pm L
Jan 1 Chicago 1:00pm W


[/ QUOTE ]

I look at this schedule and see 8-8 and that doesn't even count the dumbass game they have every year where they blow it against a team they should kill. (Which looks like it might happen week 10)

[CollinEstes]

Haven't we been hearing about how they are going to be good every year for the past like 4-5 years?

It just seems that they are always rated high, get off to a great start like 5-0, everybody is talking superbowl, and then they turn into a different team and lose 8 out of the next 11.

[keats]

[ QUOTE ]
They've been underachieving ever since they blew it in the NFC Championship in 1998.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just brought a little tear to my eye...oh and I'm a Vikings fan and I think 10-6 at best but that will be enough to win the division. I am not optimistic about a Superbowl but this team is better suited for a playoff run then any of the teams in the past. The loss of O. Smith hurts though but if Bennett can stay healthy he should be good for at least 700-800 hundred yards this year and then if you get like 200-300 out of Moe Williams they should have an alright running game. They need to go at least .500 on the road for a chance at 10-6.

[CarlSpackler]

[ QUOTE ]
The defense is improved, they have speedy recievers to go with Culpepper and look at their schedule:

Sep 11 Tampa Bay 1:00pm
Sep 18 @Cincinnati 1:00pm
Sep 25 New Orleans 1:00pm
Oct 2 @Atlanta 4:15pm
Week 5 BYE
Oct 16 @Chicago 1:00pm
Oct 23 Green Bay 1:00pm
Oct 30 @Carolina 1:00pm
Nov 6 Detroit 1:00pm
Nov 13 @N.Y. Giants 1:00pm
Nov 21 @Green Bay 9:00pm
Nov 27 Cleveland 1:00pm
Dec 4 @Detroit 1:00pm
Dec 11 St. Louis 1:00pm
Dec 18 Pittsburgh 1:00pm
Dec 25 @Baltimore 8:30pm
Jan 1 Chicago 1:00pm

@Atlanta looks like the only game they wouldn't be a favorite, and I think the Falcons are over-rated

[/ QUOTE ]

No offense, but this is the most ridiculous post I've seen in a while. The Vikings should be a small dog in Week 2 at Cincinnati. If they're not, yours truly will definitely be loading up on the Bengals. I'm not even going to get into the rest of the games on their schedule, but they will definitely be dogs in at least 3 other games besides the Falcons.

The big myth about the NFC North right now is that it's a weaker division than last year. If anything, it's going to be stronger. The Packers had some key losses on the interior line, and have some holdout issues, which is going to translate into a 7-9 to 9-7 season. I think they'll be a little down this year. The Lions will be improved this season. Last year, Detroit had a plethora of injuries and they were still only a few plays here and there from making the playoffs. Even if Harrington doesn't get the job done this year, Garcia should be at least serviceable, as he's familiar with the offense. Detroit has a legitimate shot at winning the division. The Bears will also be much improved this season just with Grossman being healthy. Think about it - Chicago was rolling out freakin Craig Krenzel, among others, at qb last season. I don't see Minnesota winning at Chicago, where they always struggle.

The Vikings defense looks alot better on paper, but Fred Smoot is the only guy they signed who has been healthy and in his prime. While their defense will be improved, they lost the best WR in football, and their best all around RB in Onterio the Whizzinator. The return of a healthy Bennett and Kleinsasser should offset the loss of OTW, but there's no way they can replace Moss' production. I see Culpepper having a down year this season, and wouldn't be surprised to see him have a 20 turnover season.

Finally, the biggest need they didn't upgrade was their coaching staff. There's a reason Tice is the lowest paid coach in the league. I see the Vikings as an 8-8/9-7 team. If everything falls into place, they could go 10-6, at best.

[ QUOTE ]
Haven't we been hearing about how they are going to be good every year for the past like 4-5 years?

It just seems that they are always rated high, get off to a great start like 5-0, everybody is talking superbowl, and then they turn into a different team and lose 8 out of the next 11.

[/ QUOTE ]

Everything stated above is true. The key is to not watch them at all, thereby avoiding the inevitable letdown.

[keats]

Did anyone else notice that the farthest west the vikings go is St. Louis?

[CollinEstes]

Don't worry we don't get many Vikings games down here in Texas.

Vikings have to prove it because they have been nothing but hype the past couple years, so why should I think this year is different.

[Sluss]

[ QUOTE ]
Did anyone else notice that the farthest west the vikings go is St. Louis?

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't it a farther trip to Tampa than it would be to Oakland?

[Patrick del Poker Grande]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Did anyone else notice that the farthest west the vikings go is St. Louis?

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't it a farther trip to Tampa than it would be to Oakland?

[/ QUOTE ]
West is to the left on the map. Tampa is to the right