Top 3 Reasons the Vikings Aren’t In for a 2016 Repeat

In 2015, the Minnesota Vikings went 11-5 to earn the NFC North title. A year afterwards, they began 5- in advance of dropping 4 straight and six of 7 to end the yr with an 8-8 file. Significantly of that workforce is no longer about, but now at 5-1 by six video games — as that staff was — Kevin O’Connell will look to stay away from a related end result.

In contrast to 2022, the Vikings were coming off a very good time in 2015. Profitable 11 game titles, anticipations had been significant for Mike Zimmer’s squad. When they commenced 5-, together with a shut win versus the Environmentally friendly Bay Packers, expectations went via the roof. Then, Minnesota bought bludgeoned by the Philadelphia Eagles, and the wheels fell off.

Here’s why a repeat shouldn’t be predicted this time around.

1. Philadelphia Didn’t Define Them

The Vikings confronted the Eagles in Week 2 this period, and they did so coming off an spectacular victory in excess of their prime division rival. Enjoying in Philadelphia never offers an straightforward possibility for a gain, but Jalen Hurts has this crew rolling on a different degree in 2022.

Even just two weeks into the year, that was going to be a difficult sport, and there is no denying that O’Connell’s team bought punched in the kisser. Getting rid of by 17 factors, Minnesota was outplayed and outcoached. When that happened in 7 days 7, off a bye, in 2016, it made a snowball impact.

This yr, the Vikings immediately responded. On the lookout to substantiate the Packers victory, Minnesota has won 4 straight considering the fact that their tilt with the Eagles. Whilst they have been close and, at periods, unappealing video games, they’ve persevered by way of adversity to come out on the excellent aspect of the scoreboard. It looks that the leadership of this team has men in a position wherever every week is a new prospect, and there is not area for a carryover effect.

2. Coaching Is an Asset

It is tough to propose that Vikings enthusiasts had soured on Zimmer that early in his tenure with Minnesota and equally that O’Connell has it all figured out just months into his occupation.

Nevertheless, the wide change in identity and system concerning the two could not be starker. Zimmer demanded obtain-in via a brazen persona, which is probably why his head coaching job did not commence until finally he was approximately 60 several years previous. O’Connell has seemed to operate by way of empowerment and sought after purchase-in, which frequently leads alone to shared obligation by all events.

Then, there’s the way Minnesota aligns with the fashion of soccer as a entire. This isn’t just a ground-and-pound team with a set amount of situations Dalvin Cook dinner needs to operate up the center. Kirk Cousins is presented the liberty to use his wide receivers, and a activity the place scoring is at a quality now sees a Vikings offense aligned with that exact basic principle.

3. Consistency at Quarterback

Knock on wood if you ought to, but Kirk Cousins has been among the healthiest quarterbacks in football given that his debut. He’s remained on the discipline for good and lousy teams and emerged healthful despite taking his lumps. Outside the house of a clinical decision that even a self-prompt bubble couldn’t stop, you can commonly anticipate him to be on the discipline just about every week.

Teddy Bridgewater went down right before the 2016 season in what seemed like a vocation-ending injury. Zimmer took it challenging, and Rick Spielman swung a deal for oft-hurt Sam Bradford. The Eagles starter was good when nutritious but seldom strung with each other that means, and even although making 15 commences for Minnesota, the panic button received pressed before 7 days 1.

There’s no denying that accidents ongoing to decimate the 2016 group, and they can rear their head at any time. That season Minnesota experienced a league-greatest 24% chance of successful the Tremendous Bowl by means of five months, and never ever achieving the playoffs is hardly a little something enthusiasts were ready to take into consideration. This group requirements to stay healthy, but they also have considerably additional talent and superior leadership to provide them throughout the complete line.

Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Metropolitan areas that is focused on all factors Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s lively on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college or university athlete and avid sports activities lover, masking our pro groups with a enthusiasm has normally appeared like this kind of a purely natural outlet.