2022 Bold Predictions

Then you can technically say we have been rebuilding every year because we always draft guys though. I do agree hitting the picks is the actual key aspect though and that is where we hopefully do improve. That all the other guys primes are "wasted" kind of helps the point about us wasting even more time now by choosing this route. It's wasting the fans time and the players unless they truly prove that they were right and this team is much better than most everyone else thought. 

Even if you make that argument we could easily have had more picks to hit on if we went the rebuild route, along with cap space (both now and in future years). We would have a higher pick next year as well to get that QB of the future (picking one in the top 10 would be new for us). So we have been missing opportunities to really rebuild the roster by taking this route either way you look at it.

Unless we prove to be a SB caliber team, it was a waste not taking advantage the way we could have. Doing so next year is better than waiting yet another season and "wasting" everyone's time. 

Rick traded back the year before for Darrisaw and we were supposedly all in then too though as you get at (whatever the reason may be, same approach there). I think we have been doing the same old dance for years now where we aren't actually good enough, don't fully push all in as we potentially could, but also don't try to legitimately shift to a rebuild. That's why even if it obviously isn't the exact same group or decision makers so many refer to this as "running it back". 

I agree it very likely was the Wilfs that keep pushing us down this path. There were rumors Rick wanted to move on but was told no as well. I have optimism in some ways, I just can't pretend I think we did what was needed to win a SB. 10/11 wins is more than most books have for us. I liked some of the moves we have taken once this route was chosen but it doesn't change that decision to push this direction means SB expectations or it is very easily argued as a bad move. We lost the chance for extra assets and picks, we likely lost the chance at a top pick in next years draft, we have pushed a lot of $ into future years not only with Cousins and void but in some of the restructures. It isn't crippling our future but there is a big difference choosing one route and cleaning up the mess and choosing the same old path of making it worse (but seemingly not all in with a SB team. You can make a lot work if you land a franchise QB and they will be limited in achieving that but it is really their only saving grace if they can't be legit contenders. Once again, even at that point it doesn't change all the resources missed out on or cap etc. that could have come with that QB though. It just makes up for the previous mistakes. 

Kirk has been a problem his entire time here when you look at his ability compared to what we pay him. It's not the end of the world for this regime but as you note they chose this route and have to prove to everyone they are right and the majority are wrong by actually being elite/SB contenders. Making the playoffs and losing right away should signal to them they misjudged and should reevaluate which is why I think moving on from Cousins next year still makes sense. At least compared to wasting season #6 on him. 

I'm not sure these are bold takes as much as my realistic assessment of what I think will happen this year but here goes:

1. The Offense cracks the Top 10. O'Connell calling modern NFL plays (i.e. not Designing checkdowns for CJ freaking Ham, actually utilizing motion, spreading the ball around), Pass Blocking being the best Minnesota has seen in years, JJ continuing to ascend and normal Kirk allows this side of the ball to finally reach its potential.

2. The Defense looks Top 15(ish)...until the injuries start to pile up and it eventually ends up around 22(ish).

3. Harry, Kendricks, Peterson and Thielen all miss at least one game and most of this group misses 2 or 3.

4. Hunter Z leads the NFL in combined sacks as a duo...until one of them goes down for 3+ games or the rest of the season.

5. Minnesota is driving late against a Team that ends up making a deep Playoff run...and on 4th and 8 Cousins opts to check it down short of the Line to Gain despite JJ having racked up 150 yards on 11 receptions. After the game he defends the decision by telling reporters that he 'went where the read took him'.

This is the moment when O'Connell realizes once and for all that Cousins never has had not will ever have the killer instinct needed to carry a Team all the way.

6. The Vikings make the Playoffs. IF they draw an opponent that isn't better in the Trenches they win a game before getting smoked. If they draw an opponent that has a better Front 7 and Offensive Line they get bounced.

7. Several of the Rookies play and play well. Most likely Cene and Booth. But 2 Rookies see significant minutes and play well.

8. Whomever steps in once Hunter Z goes down sucks. Maybe does OK against the run but is not good at generating consistent pressure.

9. The Run Defense is wildly inconsistent. They will have games where they stuff the run and games where they get run over. It will be maddening. But they still finish around 20th overall.

10. Donatell uses 3 Safety looks a lot partly because of how well they play and partly because the Slot CB stinks.

Want to wager anything on your predictions? Some of mine are the opposite of yours. Im kidding about wagers, I dont bet on the Vikings. I think the Vikings O is right in the middle, not good, not bad. And the fact it can be good enough for the middle, is based on JJ and Cook. I think the Guards and Sadburry will suck as usual, Darriso will do about the same, as will O'Neil, who is the only really good member of this O. But instead of drafting a good Olineman they draft Ingram, yuk. Why draft a questionable character guy? Thought the Wilfs were supposed to be all about that. Cene and booth should play well, but that was a few horrible trades by kam. Myabe we use Asmo as a safety and not a LB. I would have much rather had Hamilton, try and trade down for booth, and forget Ingrhm was even on the boards. And his trash picks look even worse than Ricks.

Bold predictions for the Vikings.

If the defense gives up the following points per game, their record will be.........

18ppg or less. 14-3 or greater

>18ppg-20ppg 12-5 or 13-4

>20ppg - 22 ppg 10-7 to 11-6.

23/24 ppg 9-8

24+ Won't matter.

Pretty sure my post was explained.  I’m not worried about the offense scoring. I’m more concerned with what the defense gives up. But if you want to put up their record if the offense scores so many points per game, go for it. At the end of the year w can compare. 

Offense will score between 25-27 ppg.