Minnesota Vikings – 2017-18 NFL Season Analysis

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High Hopes

Vikings’ fans seem to be in store for a special season. It is important to remember this team started off last year going 5-0 without their starting quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. Unfortunately, the team fell apart shortly and missed the playoffs. Based on Bridgewater’s improvements since his rookie season, he was looking to have a breakout season before his injury. Stay tuned for an interesting dynamic between interim QB Sam Bradford and Bridgewater when the latter gets back on the field.

Receiving Core

The Vikings offense are looking to get things going in 2017. WR's Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, and Laquon Treadwell look primed to hit strides in 2017. It is easy to see Thielen was fantastic in 2016 with 967 yards and 5 touchdowns. Diggs can still make plays and saw an uptick in targets in 16’ — 84 to 111. He scored 3 TDs last season and will look to bring that total up if his usage remains at a high level. Treadwell still has some growing to do before we see his ability take over. Look for the team to get him going a lot this preseason.

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On defense, this team was among the best last season. The loss of Chad Greenway is tough, however, the Vikings’ rotation of core defenders will look to continue their success this season.

Xavier Rhodes agreed to 5-year/$70M in the off-season, showing the Vikings development of their corner-back has been on point. Look for that to continue with sophomore Trae Waynes.

In the off-season, Minnesota dropped some financial dead-weight, with the departure of Adrian Peterson and Cordarelle Patterson. Peterson seems to be on the sideline too much for someone making nearly $10 million per year.

The Vikings added some much-needed relief to some weak positions.

Additions

RB Latavius Murray
RB Dalvin Cook (Draft)
T Riley Reiff
T Mike Remmers
QB Case Keenum
C Pat Elflein (Draft)

Departures

RB Adrian Peterson
T Matt Kalil
WR Cordarrelle Patterson
T Andre Smith
LB Chad Greenway (Retired)
CB Captain Munnerlyn

Preview

Vikings are 1-0 in the preseason with a 17-10 road win over the Buffalo Bills. It was a chance for rookie Dalvin Cook to take over as Murray was on the shelf. Cook was running hard and catching balls out of the backfield, which is good to see with Bradford’s quick-release style. Cook looks like a rookie that refuses to let the game come to him. He is hitting the ground running, so-to-speak, with 5 rushes for 13 yards and 4 catches for 30 yards.

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The Run Game

Don't forget the Vikings will unleash Latavius Murray out of the back-field this year, returning some hard-nosed running to the Twin Cities.

Preseason Stats

Case Keenum 11/16, 121 yards
Sam Bradford 5/7, 35 yards

Minnesota Vikings Website: http://www.vikings.com/

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-- @richdurazzo --

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32 Teams in 32 Days - Countdown to the NFL Season

Day 1 - Oakland Raiders

Day 2 - San Francisco 49ers

Day 3 - Kansas City Chiefs

Day 4 - New York Jets

Day 5 - Atlanta Falcons

Day 6 - Green Bay Packers