The Vikings had one of their best seasons in franchise history last year finishing the regular season 15-1. However, this team met the same fate as the previous 15-1 team, losing to Atlanta in the NFC Championship game. Minnesota went into the off-season determined to get over the hump and to their first Super Bowl since 1976.
The Vikings made a big splash in free agency landing one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the league, Aaron Donald, who will be moved to defensive end opposite reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Year Danielle Hunter. Minnesota then stole free agent wide receiver Phillip Dorsett from conference rival Atlanta adding a speed threat the team has not had since Cordarrelle Patterson. The team also added tight end Will Tye who adds athleticism to the tight end position and another threat down the field for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
OFFENSE
Bridgewater returns for his 6th NFL season coming off his best season as a pro. Teddy posted a franchise record 116.3 QB rating and had a 31-10 TD-INT ratio which was the best of his career. Armed with new weapons at receiver and tight end he could possibly be in line for an even better season in 2019. However, the loss of Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph in free agency cannot be overlooked as both Laqoun Treadwell and Josh Reynolds will have to step up their game.
Latavius Murray is back after an injury riddled season which saw him post only 703 yards on 138 carries, the second-lowest of his career. While the Vikings were impressed with Royce Freeman in his second year (198 carries, 892 yards, 10 TD), Murray is the kind of back that can change games and keeping him healthy will be a priority. The team also drafted bruising halfback Javonte Egboh from Southern Utah with their first round pick but he's been disappointing in the preseason. This is Murray's team to carry though and they need to ensure he stays healthy to fulfill their dreams of getting to a Super Bowl.
DEFENSE
Donald and Hunter form the most fearsome edge rushing tandem in the league and will certainly remind Vikings fans of the Purple People Eater days. Linval Joseph returns in the middle and will be paired with Josh Chapman to suffocate team's interior run game.
Anthony Barr returns after receiving the franchise tag for the second-straight year. The Vikings hope to lock him up to a long-term deal but are happy just keeping him on the roster at this point. Su'a Cravens will be back for his third year in Minnesota after an injury plagued 2018 campaign and will be joined by second-year linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton who replaces Eric Kendricks at MLB.
The secondary remains intact for another year although third-year safety Justin Evans is slated to replace veteran Antone Exum, Jr. in the starting lineup. Exum has been a solid and steady influence on the defense the past three season but the team likes Evans' playmaking ability and wants to get him on the field more. Exum will be a valuable backup to Evans and possibly verteran star Harrison Smith at free safety. Two of the league's top corner backs return in Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes. Waynes had his best year last year picking off 6 passes while Rhodes tried his 2017 career-high with 4 INTs. They will be joined once again by Mackenzie Alexander in the slot on what should, once again, be one of the league's top defenses.
OVERVIEW
The Vikings start the year with a rematch of the NFC Championship but will be playing in Atlanta this time. That game could likely dictate home field advantage in the post season as the Vikings and Falcons are once again favorites to return to the conference title game. Minnesota's schedule is favorable as they face both the AFC West (Chargers won the division at 7-9 a year ago) and the NFC East (Cowboys won the division but underwent an ownership change). The Vikings' toughest road game out of the division and the opener against Atlanta is at Dallas but again, they are under new management and its possible they see a drop off from their 2018 success.
The NFC North is getting more competitive as the Lions came close to knocking off the Vikings late last season and the Packers, also under new ownership, look poised to rebound from a 6-10 season. Expect the NFC North to once again be considered the top division in the league with the Vikings reigning atop it for at least one more season.
The Vikings made a big splash in free agency landing one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the league, Aaron Donald, who will be moved to defensive end opposite reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Year Danielle Hunter. Minnesota then stole free agent wide receiver Phillip Dorsett from conference rival Atlanta adding a speed threat the team has not had since Cordarrelle Patterson. The team also added tight end Will Tye who adds athleticism to the tight end position and another threat down the field for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
OFFENSE
Bridgewater returns for his 6th NFL season coming off his best season as a pro. Teddy posted a franchise record 116.3 QB rating and had a 31-10 TD-INT ratio which was the best of his career. Armed with new weapons at receiver and tight end he could possibly be in line for an even better season in 2019. However, the loss of Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph in free agency cannot be overlooked as both Laqoun Treadwell and Josh Reynolds will have to step up their game.
Latavius Murray is back after an injury riddled season which saw him post only 703 yards on 138 carries, the second-lowest of his career. While the Vikings were impressed with Royce Freeman in his second year (198 carries, 892 yards, 10 TD), Murray is the kind of back that can change games and keeping him healthy will be a priority. The team also drafted bruising halfback Javonte Egboh from Southern Utah with their first round pick but he's been disappointing in the preseason. This is Murray's team to carry though and they need to ensure he stays healthy to fulfill their dreams of getting to a Super Bowl.
DEFENSE
Donald and Hunter form the most fearsome edge rushing tandem in the league and will certainly remind Vikings fans of the Purple People Eater days. Linval Joseph returns in the middle and will be paired with Josh Chapman to suffocate team's interior run game.
Anthony Barr returns after receiving the franchise tag for the second-straight year. The Vikings hope to lock him up to a long-term deal but are happy just keeping him on the roster at this point. Su'a Cravens will be back for his third year in Minnesota after an injury plagued 2018 campaign and will be joined by second-year linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton who replaces Eric Kendricks at MLB.
The secondary remains intact for another year although third-year safety Justin Evans is slated to replace veteran Antone Exum, Jr. in the starting lineup. Exum has been a solid and steady influence on the defense the past three season but the team likes Evans' playmaking ability and wants to get him on the field more. Exum will be a valuable backup to Evans and possibly verteran star Harrison Smith at free safety. Two of the league's top corner backs return in Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes. Waynes had his best year last year picking off 6 passes while Rhodes tried his 2017 career-high with 4 INTs. They will be joined once again by Mackenzie Alexander in the slot on what should, once again, be one of the league's top defenses.
OVERVIEW
The Vikings start the year with a rematch of the NFC Championship but will be playing in Atlanta this time. That game could likely dictate home field advantage in the post season as the Vikings and Falcons are once again favorites to return to the conference title game. Minnesota's schedule is favorable as they face both the AFC West (Chargers won the division at 7-9 a year ago) and the NFC East (Cowboys won the division but underwent an ownership change). The Vikings' toughest road game out of the division and the opener against Atlanta is at Dallas but again, they are under new management and its possible they see a drop off from their 2018 success.
The NFC North is getting more competitive as the Lions came close to knocking off the Vikings late last season and the Packers, also under new ownership, look poised to rebound from a 6-10 season. Expect the NFC North to once again be considered the top division in the league with the Vikings reigning atop it for at least one more season.