FanPost

Prognosticating during the preseason

For sake of discussion, here is my week-by-week projection of the upcoming season. This is always a challenge at such an early point in preseason, but I feel comfortable taking a stab, based upon the current rosters and scenarios that are playing out across the League. This is just for fun, and I'm sure many will have differing views. If you are easily offended by any predictions that vary from a 16-0 record, you should be forewarned that I do not see that in the cards. Hehe.


Sep 11 - at San Diego (LOSS #1; strong road opponent and Vikes are still trying to get offense in synch at this stage; 0-1)

Sep 18 - vs. Tampa Bay (LOSS #2; close game for a half, but up-and-coming Bucs have too much balance to be denied; 0-2)

Sep 25 - vs. Detroit (home field evens things out; Vikes get first WIN versus toughest Lions squad in years; 1-2)

Oct 2 - at Kansas City (tough stadium, but Chiefs seem to lack intangibles and are not a dominant team; Vikes keep it close but LOSE in OT; 1-3)

Oct 9 - vs. Arizona (Home cookin' + inconsistent opponent = Vikes notch second WIN; now 2-3)

Oct 16 - at. Chicago (Bears have flaws, but still able to hold serve on home turf: Vikings LOSS puts them at 2-4)

Oct 23 - vs. Green Bay (Defending SB Champs have too much firepower; their D scores twice; LOSS; now 2-5)

Oct 30 - at Carolina (Close game all the way; Vikes ride McNabb's veteran leadership to another WIN; 3-5)

Open

Nov. 14 - at Green Bay (One-sided affair with Pack controlling clock and keeping Vikings off-balance; LOSS; 3-6)

Nov 20 - vs. Oakland (Back home to trounce a Raiders team looking for some identity: WIN; record at 4-6)

Nov 27 - at Atlanta (Falcons on hot streak all season. Home field and talent too much for Vikes; LOSS; 4-7)

Dec 4 - vs. Denver (Vikings look solid and get big WIN over inconsistent Broncs; record improves to 5-7)

Dec 11 - at Detroit ( Lions exact revenge and McNabb sacked/knocked out of game; LOSS; Vikes now 5-8)

Dec 18 - vs. New Orleans (Ponder forced to start; Saints roll with second-half surge; LOSS: Vikes at 5-9)

Dec 24 - at Washington (McNabb returns, haunts old team; Vikes WIN low-scoring affair and improve to 6-9)

Jan 1 - vs. Chicago (Vikings hang tough at home but succumb to Bears inspired defense; LOSS; now 6-10)

SUMMARY of a 6-10 campaign (courtesy of crystal ball):

- Vikings slowly develop offensive rhythm, but first half of season sees far too many busted plays and stalled drives. Defense plays fairly well all year, but breakdowns in coverage result in some big plays that ultimately cost the team a chance in close games. The running game is solid and Gerhart shows more in his second campaign. But Peterson still frustrated by lack of consistent holes to run through. His fumbling problems resurface, in part due to him giving extra effort to try to gain yardage.

- Glaring weaknesses along Offensive Line become a crisis when one or two starters get banged up and have to miss time. The secondary is exposed as another Achilles heel, and too many big plays deflate the team's optimism. McNabb's veteran savvy is a great help to Ponder, who finds his way into games during the late stages of losses. When McNabb gets injured later in the season, Ponder and Webb both get some time behind Center, but neither is ready to perform with the consistency required. Turnovers plague the team, and are the difference in some tight contest.

- Just prior to the season opener, Adrian Peterson inks multi-year deal with Vikes, but he voices concerns about the uncertainty of the stadium deal and about what looks to be a rebuilding phase. He publicly hints that it may be in his best interest to move on to a contending team, but in the end the contract is too good and he decides to stay.

On the field, 2011-12 brings the following results:

Percy Harvin: migraine issues far less frequent, although he misses one game following a recurrence. He amasses second-most multi-purpose yards in NFC and makes Pro Bowl.

Devin Aromashodu: Most welcome surprise of 2011-12 season. He emerges as a solid #2 WR and inks a multi-year extension after season.

Kyle Rudolph: Rookie TE has an excellent second half of the season and looks like a Pro Bowler for years to come.

Christian Ponder: Uneven performance when thrown into late stages of games. But when forced to start later on, he displays a consistently accurate arm, and looks like the QBotF for sure.

Bernard Berrian: Quiets some critics by staying healthy much of the season, and he gains over 850 yards with 5 TDs.

Bill Musgrave's Offense: The new-look offense results in both Tight Ends being the focal point. Shiancoe and Rudolph are consistently productive and both haul in their share of passes. Rudolph named to All Rookie Team.

Running game: Peterson and Gerhart are a dynamic 1-2 punch, but stats are mediocre due to porous Line. Gerhart develops as a pass receiver and proves valuable as a complete back. Peterson gains 1200 yards and catches more passes than he did last year.

Coach Frazier draws criticism from a number of fans and sportswriters for being "uninspiring" and lacking the charisma to push the team to greater heights. Some in the media question whether he is the right man for the job.

It is not until early 2012 that the stadium issue finally reaches critical status. After much angst and debate, a deal to keep the franchise in Minneapolis area is reached, with plans to build a $1 billion dollar, multi-purpose stadium to open in 2014. Best news of 2011-12 is the stadium deal that keeps the team where they belong.

Packers win Division (11-5), but fall in NFC Title game to Eagles, who go on to lose to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Bears finish at 9-7 but miss playoffs; Lions defense has a banner year, but the weak spots in their secondary are exploited. They finish 8-8 but are looking like a future playoff team.

In NFL Draft, Vikes begin arduous rebuilding phase by concentrating on Offensive Lineman and Defensive backfield. They draw some raised eyebrows by drafting a quarterback in the 2nd Round, but they state that the Best Athlete Available philosophy dictated the selection. Ponder and the rookie will battle it out for the foreseeable future, while Joe Webb is ultimately moved back to WR.

Okay, I'm sure you realize this is all for fun, in that is is purely educated guesswork and nothing more. I'm a longtime fan and will be curious to see how this storied franchise deals with on-and off the field challenges. It is a crossroads season for the Vikings, but it can very well end on a high note, as long as the stadium issue is resolved and youth is infused on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Go Vikings!!!!!

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.