Here’s a question that most Vikings fans would have answered at the start of the season with: zero, but after 7 games, the Minnesota Vikings are currently 5-2 and are in the playoff picture. So the question is, what are the chances we make the playoffs and what will we need to do in order to make them? I think the first thing to do is look at the remaining schedule we face and then summarise a predicted end of season record in my opinion. Some of you will agree and disagree with my predictions, which is totally understandable but as previously stated, this is my opinion:
Week 8 vs. Tampa Bay @ Home – WIN (6-2)
Week 9 @ Seattle – LOSS (6-3)
Week 10 vs. Detroit @ Home – WIN (7-3)
Week 12 @ Chicago – LOSS (7-4)
Week 13 @ Green Bay – LOSS (7-5)
Week 14 vs. Chicago @ Home – WIN (8-5)
Week 15 @ St Louis – WIN (9-5)
Week 16 @ Houston Texans – LOSS (9-6)
Week 17 vs. Green Bay – WIN (10-6)
I have us going undefeated at home, but only picking up one win away from home for the rest of the season and that is against St Louis. I can imagine some people will be frowning upon my choice of home wins against the Bears and especially the Packers at home but I genuinely think we can beat any team in the NFL at home.
As for the Packers, I have them finishing 11-5 on the season which should be enough for the playoffs, meaning they might rest some of their star players which could make life easier for us. Of course, these predictions are totally opinionated and nearly impossible to call as anything can happen in the NFL.
The first thing to do is look at my prediction and applaud Leslie Frazier and his staff along with Rick Spielman and the Wilf family for their hard work in the rebuilding project to give us a great chance of making the playoffs. Last season was extremely poor for the Vikings and this season so far has given fans, including myself, hope for the future. We have some very exciting young players on the roster accompanied by top class veterans which has proven to be a great blend. The offense on the whole has been efficient and the defense has surprised most people with how stingy it has been in allowing yards and touchdowns. So the question remains, for the Vikings to reach this 10-6 record or even better, what are the key factors to their success?
Christian Ponder cutting down turnovers
Recently, Ponder has been pretty poor in my opinion and this has to change. All Ponder needs to do is manage the clock, throw short passes and give Adrian Peterson the ball and we have a great chance of winning football games. Instead, he seems to be forcing things and trying to throw on play action all the time. The simple truth is that whilst he is athletic, his mechanics are AWFUL on the run when he tries to throw the ball. He overthrows the ball leading to simple interceptions for the defense and he doesn’t really have a great touch. Whilst Ponder is very smart, he needs to stay in the pocket more and just convert more short passes to move the chains. If Ponder can cut down on his turnovers, we have a great chance of winning games in a much easier fashion. Ponder to me is a confidence player in that when things are going well, he looks brilliant, but when things aren’t going as well and he can’t connect with his receivers, he tries to force things which then lead to him becoming erratic.
Give Harvin and Peterson the ball
It’s quite simple really. I don’t need to post statistics for both players as they are having Pro Bowl years and are proving to the league that they are two of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the whole of theNFL. Peterson has been simply amazing since his return from a near career-ending injury and Harvin has proven to the organisation that he deserves a hefty contract offered to him after being in the top 5 receivers in the NFL for receptions. Harvin and Peterson have simply been fantastic so far.
Key Players remaining healthy
Seeing as we don’t exactly have much depth, it’s quite obvious that our key players such as Ponder, Peterson, Harvin, Kyle Rudolph, Matt Kalil, Chad Greenway, Jared Allen, Harrison Smith and Kevin Williams all stay healthy otherwise our chances of making the playoffs will diminish a lot!
Defensive pressure and tackling!
We have shown great defensive pressure on opposing QB’s this season, which has led them to forced throws. We don’t have the greatest secondary in the league, as everyone knows, but we DO have one of the better defensive lines in the NFL. If the defensive line can pressure the QB often, it will hopefully lead to poor throws which can always lead to turnovers. If the QB’s choose to throw short completions, this is where tackling is vital as we can them limit the yards gained. So far this season, the tackling has been brilliant and it needs to continue.
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