2022 Bold Predictions

1 — The Vikings win on the final day of the season to make the playoffs

Over the last four seasons, the Vikings came up short three times in key late-season games that kept them from making the postseason. Two of those seasons it was the Chicago Bears who played a key role in booting them out of the race. This year, Kirk Cousins could get a chance at revenge if the Vikings are in a tight NFC playoff race needing to beat the Bears in Chicago on the final day of the season in order to reach the playoffs. With the current state of Chicago appearing pretty woeful and the Vikings turning around the Chicago curse in recent years, they could buck history and win at Soldier Field for the right to play deep into January.

2 — The Los Angeles Chargers win the Super Bowl

Star quarterback on a rookie contract. Check. Progressive coach. Check. Defense restocked with free agent dollars. Check. Offensive line and weapons good. Check. The Chargers do not have history on their side with a Vikings-like number of meltdowns during their best years but this version of the once-tortured Bolts is stacked. Justin Herbert is on the same path as Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen as elite young QBs who put their teams in position to reach the Super Bowl on their rookie deals. If Brandon Staley’s aggressive style clicks in Year 2, L.A. can be the class of the AFC.

3 — The Detroit Lions win eight games or more

The Lions were so bad last year that it’s hard to see them making a massive leap forward but every year there’s a worst-to-first club and Detroit has all the signs of bouncing back from the depths of the league. They very likely won’t reach first place but they can fight tooth and nail with the Vikings in the NFC North if their recent draft picks become stars and Jared Goff gives them a performance more reflective of his Rams years. They have improved their set of weapons, offensive line and defense and proved they’re willing to fight for Dan Campbell.

4 — Buffalo does not win the AFC East

On paper, Buffalo’s team has everything that screams Super Bowl. A great quarterback, good head coach, No. 1 ranked defense from last season and determination to finally get over the hump for the first time in franchise history. But sustaining greatness year after year without a hiccup is tough. They lost OC Brian Daboll to the New York Giants and face an improved division. This might be the year they see some regression as the entire league has a target on Josh Allen’s back.

5 — Baltimore wins the AFC North

The most injured team in football last year will bounce back, even if there is Lamar Jackson contract drama. They aren’t a perfect team and could certainly use a better passing scheme and weapons for Jackson but they are one of the best coached teams in the NFL with a strong offensive line and stacked defense. The Bengals and Browns may be the sexier picks but steady old Baltimore can win the North so long as Jackson is healthy.

6 — Trevor Lawrence makes the Pro Bowl

Many great quarterbacks had a miserable time as a rookie and Lawrence was really miserable in 2021. The difference, however, is that he was playing for the NFL’s worst coach in Urban Meyer. Now he has a massive upgrade in coaching and improved group of receivers with which to work. With a year of experience under his belt, Lawrence will make a big jump this year and be considered another star QB in the AFC.

15 — The Vikings’ “surprising” loss comes against the Jets

When Vikings fans wrote in the W’s and L’s on schedule release day, 99% picked the Vikings to beat the New York Jets based on how bad the Jets were last year. But we did the same thing for Cincinnati in Week 1 2021. The Jets won’t make the Super Bowl but they could be better than expected if Zach Wilson improves.

19 — Dalvin Cook will rush for under 1,000 yards but catch 60+ passes

Kevin O’Connell would be wise to use his other running backs in rotational roles more often to preserve Cook and to put a focus on returning the screen game to 2019 form when he averaged 9.8 yards per catch.

20 — The Vikings’ biggest win will come against Dallas

The Vikings hit a tough patch in the schedule when they go up against Dallas. Beating the Cowboys could swing their playoff chances. This time Dallas won’t have their secret weapon: Cooper Rush.

21 — Irv Smith Jr. will become the fourth highest paid TE prior to 2023

If we believe O’Connell is going to maximize the strengths of his weapons, Smith Jr. should be a beneficiary. He won’t reach Kittle or Kelce levels but he has the talent to have a strong year and force the Vikings’ hand when it comes to his next contract.

22 — Christian Darrisaw will make the Pro Bowl

Darrisaw went through a lot with injuries last season and came out with a good rookie year. He’s healthy this offseason and can put all his physical gifts together to form a very good left tackle.

23 — The Vikings will register under 40 sacks as a defense

The Vikings blitzed (and Justin Fields’d) their way to 51 sacks last year but that will be hard to repeat. They have every chance to be more consistent with their pass rush but it won’t be easy to rack up a metric ton of sacks without many pure pass rushers outside of Smith and Hunter.

25 — The Packers’ defense will rank higher than their offense

Green Bay is deservedly the division favorite but they’re fooling themselves if they think Aaron Rodgers won’t suffer from losing Davante Adams. However, with Jaire Alexander back from injury their defense is loaded and ready to be a force.

31 — Trent McDuffie wins defensive rookie of the year

Kansas City took Tyrann Mathieu’s game to the next level. McDuffie isn’t Mathieu but he’s playing in a favorable defense for his skill set.

36 — Danielle Hunter signs a $25 million per year contract with the Vikings after 2022

Hunter will have a season similar to what he did in 2018 and 2019 and the Vikings will move heaven and earth to keep him long term.

37 — Dan Campbell will win coach of the year, Robert Salah runner up

If Detroit is in the playoff race, the media will fawn over the lovable Campbell and Salah’s Jets overachieving will also get a pat on the head from voters.

41 — Despite making the playoffs, 2022 is Kirk Cousins’ final year as Vikings QB

After a similar season to those of the past, the Vikings will draft a QB and sell Cousins to the highest bidder, thus finally providing the “rebuild” part of “competitive rebuild.”

48 — Akayleb Evans will win Mr. Mankato

Allegedly overdrafted, the lanky corner just needs to make a few plays in preseason to draw the attention of fans and win Mr. Mankato.

50 — The Vikings’ offensive line will rank above 20th in pass blocking… (yes, that’s bold)

As long as they stay healthy, the tackle play is going to push this number up into the average ballpark and Darrisaw and O’Neill will be talked about as a top tackle combo in the league.. but that doesn’t mean they’ll be perfect. The scheme may also give some more help to the guys in the middle and allow them to improve and finally rank as an average OL for the first time since 2017.