2008 NFC North Preview

[HMFFL]

Minnesota Vikings (11-5)
In 2008, they may not be as good as historically great defenses such as that of the 1985 Bears or 2000 Ravens, the Vikings figure to have the best defense in the NFL. Jared Allen is the perfect addition to this team. He should benefit by a strong interior defense (and vice versa). The expected wins keep creeping higher despite the questions at quarterback, but whomever the Vikings ultimately settle on as the answer to those questions could mean plus or minus a few wins. The Vikings average 25.3 points per game (#9 in the NFL) and allow 18.1 points (#1) against a schedule featuring seven games against 2007 playoff teams.

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[hermes]

is the team really considering starting someone besides tavaris?
and i like the sound of potentially the best defense in the NFL

[NewWulf]

The Vikings defense is stout. They'll score a bunch of points this season. (ESPN Fantasy has the Vikings D rated third in the NFL.)

Jared Allen will have a big year but the sleeper in all this is Ray Edwards, who I think will have a big year, too. RE has bulked up to 6'6", 270. Don't expect him to get pushed around. This also means that E.J., Leber & Greenway will have big seasons.

I expect the Vikings' offense to improve, too. AD is a stud & Berrian will take away alot of 8 & 9 man fronts. T-Jax will improve, too, though I don't know by how much. I think 11-5 is very realistic with 12-4 a possibility.

[hermes]

don't know about that many wins, it will be key for the wrs and tavaris to make the passing game respectable enough to get the extra guys off the line to give AD more room

[NewWulf]

don't know about that many wins, it will be key for the wrs and tavaris to make the passing game respectable enough to get the extra guys off the line to give AD more room

I'm not predicting Daunte's superstar numbers for T-Jax but I think that adding Berrian is a big confidence-booster for T-Jax. I do expect more improvement from him. I also think that the defense will create alot more turnovers this year, which will likely leave the offense in significantly better field position. It isn't wise to ignore that.

[deeney0]

If everyone's healthy, I don't know how much TJax really has to improve to win the division. The defense is improved. The Oline is more comfortable with eachother now. AD has a year of NFL experience under his belt. The Packers and Bears have gotten worse. I think the Vikes can make it to the playoffs as long as TJax hasn't regressed.

[Klomp]

The only team I'm worried about is Green Bay. Week 1 will tell the story of our season.

It will come down to Jackson. We can pretty much guarantee that the Pack will guard the line closely, leaving the passing game open. If Jackson can connect with Berrian and Rice, we will win. The same goes for every other game until the defense makes adjustments to our passing game.

[hermes]

deeney0 made a good point, if everyone is healthy there won't be as big a burden on jackson's shoulders

[NewWulf]

Personally, I think this defense has the opportunity to be something special. KWill & PWill are beasts in the middle like usual but now Jared Allen has the chance to make Ray Edwards this year's bust-out player. If Allen & Edwards combine for 25 sacks, our defense will get off the field alot faster alot more often.

I also like them adding Madieu Williams & Tyrell Johnson. They'll improve the secondary as will the improved pass rush. The improved pass rush will help Griffin, Winfield, McCauley & Devonte Edwards because they won't have to cover their guys as long.

Offensively, I thought Sidney Rice progressed last year. Berrian gives us a legitimate downfield threat & Wade's a good slot receiver. That'll make T-Jax's job alot easier. As for running the ball, I think we're ok there.

[hermes]

i'm expecting sidney rice to have a good year, with how well he improved last year
the receiving core, overall, should be a lot better

[NewWulf]

i'm expecting sidney rice to have a good year, with how well he improved last year
the receiving core, overall, should be a lot better

I liked Sidney's athleticism & his ability to adjust to the ball. He's a pretty decent downfield blocker, too.

[Loose Cannon]

We really don't need Jackson doing anything special, as long as he's able to manage the game and actually connect with his receivers, we're set. The defense is going to be our offense much like last year.

Jackson still needs to get his mechanics down...he's got a cannon, but his instincts are far too questionable.

Expect our secondary to be more stingy and rewarding now that we've got a pass rush.

[NewWulf]

The biggest thing to me is the speed/power combo of the D-Line. The starters all have a blue collar, lunch pail attitude. Ray Edwards is improving & Jared loves playing the run. In that sense, he's a modern day Howie Long: a guy who took pride in all phases of the game.

I like their retooled secondary. Madieu Williams is a significant upgrade over Dwight Smith. Tyrell Johnson will be important on special teams from Day One but he'll bolster the secondary more each day as the season wears on.

Having a dynamic passrusher like Jared will make everybody in the secondary better. ALOT BETTER. That said, I think that McCauley, Griffin, Winfield & Devonte Edwards will improve as a unit this year, too. If McCauley keeps working hard, he could be a special player: tall, fast (4.38 forty) & with good hands.

[BiggMann]

TJack elimates mistakes the Vikings are sitting pretty.

Running game is tops in the league.
Defense is tops in the league.

Those two things = a successful season.

But like everyone mentioned, if Tavaris can elimate those mistakes and make the right reads...there is no doubt we have the talent this year to be the NFC contender.

[NewWulf]

This is a strong team regardless of how T-Jack plays. Obviously, they're better with him playing well but it isn't necessary for him to be a Pro Bowl QB for the Vikings to win the NFC North.