Vikings Sail Into a Crossroads Season

Today's NFL preview article involves the Minnesota Vikings, a squad which is among the most intriguing in the NFL.

After giving up on America's most notorious gloryhound Brett Favre, the Vikings sought to bolster themselves at quarterback by drafting ex-Florida State standout Christian Ponder in the NFL Draft while also bringing in ex-Eagle and Redskin Donovan McNabb as soon as the lockout ended and retaining Joe Webb, a prodigious prospect who is also adept at playing wideout or tailback in certain offensive sets.

While McNabb will take the reins in the interim for Minnesota, he will have some assistance from Adrian Peterson, who in only four seasons of work has amassed 5,782 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns.

Despite losing Sidney Rice in free agency to Seattle, the Vikings still have plenty of targets for McNabb, including wideouts Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin, along with tight end Visanthe Shiancoe who is looking to rebound to his 2009 form when he hauled in 11 scoring receptions.

Minnesota's defense has been ravaged of late with Ray Edwards and Ben Leber departing, but cornerback Antoine Winfield returns and will be the type of mentor Minnesota desperately needs to remain afloat amid a  torrent of transactions.

Ultimately, while the Vikings do have some solid pieces in place, they are in an extremely competitive division with defending champion Green Bay and resurgent Detroit looming in the wings.

Since the Bears are quarterbacked by Jay Cutler, I say the Vikings can leapfrog them in the division, but it is rare to see three teams from a division make the postseason.

Thus, while the Vikings should be 9-7 or even 10-6, I see them falling short of the playoffs, perhaps on something as disappointing as percentage points.

Nevertheless, under new coach Leslie Frazier, the Vikings will compete and give trouble to all opponents on their schedule.

Of course, I could be wrong about Minnesota's postseason chances and if so, I'll gladly own it.

Thanks for reading, Vikings fans, and once again, without Brett Favre, I respect you much more!